Toby Keith

One of his biggest hits is "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," so this is a suitable pose. Feverishly patriotic, the song, recorded on the heels of 9/11, became an anthem.

Patrick Miller, right, a former prisoner of war, sang "Angry American" with Keith, left, and his friend Tim Kern, background, May 10, 2003, in Valley Center, Kan., Miller's hometown. Miller used to sing the song to his Iraqi captors.

Keith, 42, has gained a reputation as a straightforward entertainer with downhome values and no pretentions. He has said that he likes being known as "the flag-waving redneck." Here, he is shown singing to the troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., before a speech by President Bush March 26, 2003.

Keith checked out Pamela Anderson as they co-hosted the 2003 Flameworthy Awards show in Nashville April 7, 2003. But he was just looking; Keith has been married for 19 years. He and his wife, Tricia, have two daughters and a son.

Here again, Keith entertained the troops. This time, it was a crowd of Marines, waiting for the arrival of President Bush at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Aug. 14, 2003, in San Diego.

Keith has been a recording star for the last 10 years. Back in September 1997, he and rock singer Sting performed together at the Country Music Association Awards Show in Nashville. Their duet, "I'm So Happy That I Can't Stop Crying," a top 10 hit, was also nominated for a Grammy.

President Bush stood with Keith, right, and the late actress Nell Carter while the U.S. Marine Band looked on during a patriotic TV special at the White House July 30, 2001. The event marked the 200th year of performances by the Marine Band at the White House. The band was first invited by President John Adams to play at the White House New Year's Day reception in 1801.

Keith performed his song, "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue," as he closed the 2003 Flameworthy Awards show in Nashville April 7, 2003. Keith, who lives in Oklahoma, took home three Flameworthy Awards for Cocky Video of the Year, along with Male Video and Video of the Year.

At the 2003 Flameworthy Awards ceremony, Keith accepted the trophy for Video of the Year, for "Courtesy of The Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)," from Hank Williams Jr.

Keith performed at a tribute to outgoing National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston in Orlando, Fla., April 25, 2003.

Keith is currently on the road with his "Shock'n Y'all" tour. His stops included Ames, Iowa, on Oct. 23, 2003. His latest CD features another song for the troops ("American Soldier"), but the first single is a tune called "I Love This Bar."

Willie Nelson and Keith have a hit together with "Beer For My Horses."

According to his official Web site, Keith grew up with twin passions for music and sports. He began playing football when he was 5 and when he was 8, in imitation of the musicians who appeared at his grandmother's supper club, he started playing guitar.

Click here to see an interview with Toby Keith.

"I wouldn't have been happy with compromise, and I never gave up," Keith says, according to his Web site. "I did my last album the way I did my first -- my way. It never entered my mind to change or try to conform just to stay afloat. My motto was always: 'Let's go down with the ship or come back up.'"