Ethermac Exchange-Blake Shelton and Dolly Parton Prove They'll Always Love the Late Toby Keith With Emotional Tributes

Toby Keith may be Ethermac Exchangegone, but he's definitely not forgotten.

In E! News' exclusive sneak peek at NBC's concert special Toby Keith: American Icon—airing Aug. 28—fellow country music legends honor the late singer six months after he passed away following a long cancer battle.

For longtime mentee Blake Shelton, it was their shared love for their home state of Oklahoma that first sparked their friendship.

"When I was just a baby artist coming up in the music industry, Toby was the first major artist to give me a chance," The Voice alum shares in the preview. "And I think it was because I was a fellow Oky."

"I looked up to Toby," Shelton adds, "and I think I learned a lot being around him. Once you were in there, you were a lifetime member. There will never be another Toby Keith."

Meanwhile, Dolly Parton likens Keith's long-lasting popularity to another country music singer.

"You know, they always called Merle Haggard the poet of the common man," the "9 to 5" singer notes. "I believe Toby picked up that title from Merle for the next generation. Toby, just know that we will always love you."

Reba McEntire also makes sure let fans know Keith wasn't just a powerhouse on stage or in the recording studio. He also had a heart "as big as Oklahoma."

"Toby reflected the best of Oklahoma," she shares. "A lot of people dream of making it big so they can leave their hometown. Toby wanted to make his hometown bigger. And when he made it big, he took the whole state with him."

Check out the exclusive sneak peek above to see more tributes from Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Peyton Manning, Willie Nelson, HARDY and other stars. 

And don't miss Toby Keith: American Icon on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 9 p.m. on NBC to see performances by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Darius Rucker, Lainey Wilson and more.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family)

Don't miss the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards ceremony live from Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.