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Country music fans everywhere are mourning the death of Toby Keith. The Oklahoma native left an impact on country music that can be felt nationwide, including in East Texas.

“Because he had done all the things that everyone wanted him to do, and then he thought ‘I’ve earned my way now that I can say some stuff in my songs now’ and so we’ll just miss him, I miss him being out there,” East Texas country music legend Neal McCoy said.

McCoy got to know Keith pretty well while they were rising to fame together as ’90s country artists. McCoy says he admired the way Keith was unapologetic in delivering his messages, though he reveals that there was more behind the star’s dark and guarded onstage persona.

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