Toby Keith Receives ‘Inspiring’ Award for His Support of Troops

Toby Keith is known almost as much for his support and advocacy for our nation's troops as he is for his multi-platinum-selling music career. Now, the 50-year-old is being officially honored for his patriotism. Toby joins 11 others as recipients of the 2012 AARP Inspire Award.

"Through their extraordinary efforts to lead, innovate, and give back in ways that make a real impact, this year's honorees motivate our readers to make a make a difference in their own communities," Nancy Perry Graham, Vice President and Editor of AARP The Magazine states. "This daring dozen are compassionate and forward-thinking individuals who define inspiration."

Other individuals receiving the award this year include animal conservationist Jane Goodall, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt, Latin promoter Emilio Estefan, Jr. and co-founder of Apple, Inc., the late Steve Jobs.

The 'Red Solo Cup' singer, who has completed nine USO tours to entertain the troops stationed overseas since 2002, says he hopes his support of the armed forces serves as a wake-up call to others as well.

"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," Toby tells The Boot. "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."

See a full list of recipients here, or pick up the latest edition of AARP the Magazine, when it hits shelves on November 25.