Toby Keith Returns to the Opry Stage

Toby Keith has added a welcomed surprise stop to his 2011 tour schedule. The outspoken country star recently announced he will return to the Opry January 29 -- for the first time in almost nine years.

The Oklahoma native last played the famous stage in 2002, which was also his debut performance at the Opry. He will be joined for this show by good friend and labelmate, Trace Adkins, who appropriately was also on the bill for Toby's first Opry show. Playing the show together at the Opry is kind of like coming full circle for the two broad celebrities, who enjoy not only a professional relationship but also a personal one: thanks in part to the time they spent together on America's Toughest Tour and the American Ride Tour.

"We go way, way back to the days before either one of us ever came to Nashville, and the connections that we have are pretty ironic to say the least," Toby told The Boot. "We were always playing some of the same bars. I'd play a club, he'd play a club. I'd see his picture up and mine would be hanging up, too. We didn't play much together because we were never at the same bars at the same time."

In addition to selling millions of albums and devoting his time to playing for the troops overseas, Toby also spends time running his own restaurant and bar chain, I Love This Bar & Grill. He recently announced he was expanding his chain with the addition of a new venue in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Toby will play both the early and the late Opry show, which will be held at the famed Ryman Auditorium, with Carter's Chord, John Conlee and Bill Anderson also on the bill. Tickets can be purchased here.

View Toby's upcoming tour dates here.