Toby Keith Gears Up for Ninth USO Tour

Toby Keith's unwavering support of U.S. servicemen and women continues, as the country superstar is packing his bags for what will be his ninth USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour.

"My father was a veteran, and [in 2002] I wanted to go pay my respects and honor all the troops that were overseas fighting in different conflicts," Toby tells The Boot of his very first Middle East tour. "I got over there and fell in love with it. One of my best friends, Curt Motley, went and became a board member for the USO. And [in the past decade], we've done two weeks every year -- over 160 shows in the desert playing for our fine men and women warriors that wear our county's uniform. It's become part of my life now."

Since that first trip, Toby has played for more than 159,000 troops and their families. He'll add to that number soon on a 12-day USO tour covering three countries (with exact dates and locations kept secret for security reasons).

"It's a wonderful geography lesson. It's a wonderful history lesson. Not to mention getting to shake hands with heroes every single day you're over there," says Toby. "It also allows me to be the poster boy for the USO ... to get other entertainers and people who have something to offer to go over there and support our troops. I'm setting my benchmark so high at 160 shows and not showing any signs of stopping, that I'm trying to shame people into at least going by and shaking hands with those people who are returning from deployment at the hospitals here in the states. That's the least you could do."

Toby has also recently joined forces with several NFL players to form a non-profit organization called Pros 4 Vets, which helps troops and their families after they return home from service. The organization recruits doctors, lawyers and other professionals to help Veterans free of charge. Find out how you can help Pros 4 Vets here.

Watch Toby perform his latest single, 'Somewhere Else,' live in our studio below.

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