Toby Keith’s Kind Gesture to Southwest Louisiana Marines
Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM]- So I have decided that I wanted to share my stories from the past 35-plus years of my career about the nicest country artists I’ve ever met. Allow me to tell you a quick story.
One night at Delta Downs, they were having their million-dollar race, and Toby Keith had a horse in that race. My buddy Don, the track announcer, told me Toby would be there and asked if I’d like to interview him. Of course, I said yes. I went into his private suite and interviewed him for about 10 minutes, and then, when I was about to leave, Toby just struck up a conversation with me.
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He asked me who I was with, and I said a couple of buddies who just got out of the Marine Corps. He asked me where they were. I told him they were in the restaurant next door. Toby immediately asked me to take him to them.
Mike Soileau and Toby Keith
We left his private suite and walked through the busy restaurant just so he could meet my two buddies and thank them for their service. He took pictures with them and signed autographs, and spent a few minutes talking with them. We then walked back to his private suite. He told me thank you for coming out and talking with me and allowing me to meet your two great service member buddies.
You know, he didn’t have to leave the comfort of his private suite, but he wanted to because he was a great American and a great patriot for our country, and wanted to thank those who served.
By far one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in radio, meeting any artist in the past 36 years. Rest in peace, Toby. You were a class act.