In a quiet Oklahoma room on a Friday night, Toby Keith’s story took on a new chapter. John Foster sat just a few feet from Tricia Covel and Krystal Keith, singing the song Toby called from his soul. “Don’t Let the Old Man In” was written after a simple chat with Clint Eastwood, yet it feels like a life guide.
The lyrics “Ask yourself how old you would be if you did not know the day you were born” suddenly felt personal. You can almost feel every fan in that room asking themselves the same question in complete silence.
John talks about loving complicated songs, yet calls this one a masterpiece, because there is so much truth in every verse. In that small space, Toby stops being only a country star and becomes something closer to a modern poet.
He is the man who turned aging, fear and courage into a simple melody that refuses to grow old.
John Foster – “Don’t Let the Old Man In” with Toby Keith’s wife and daughter
Later that same night, John Foster picked up his guitar again and chose a very different side of Toby Keith’s story. Instead of soft reflection, he went straight into “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” the song that turned Toby into a voice for pride and resilience after 9/11. Same small room, same Oklahoma crowd, same American Idol kid onstage, but this time the energy is louder, rougher and full of fire.
John Foster – “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” at Toby Keith Foundation event
Months before he sat in that quiet Oklahoma room, he stood on one of the biggest stages in the world and took on “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” in front of Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. That is where the song first wrapped itself around his name. It is where Carrie said it felt like a “John Foster concert” and Lionel called his choice perfect.