Paras Griffin/Getty; Jason Kempin/Getty
Jana KramerandChuck Wickswere among the musicians remembering Keith, whose family confirmed he had “passed peacefully” after beingdiagnosed with stomach cancerin the fall of 2021, at Tuesday night’s Melodies for Minds event held at the Loveless Cafe inNashville.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Kramer, 40, said of Keith, “I mean, as a country artist, he was someone I always looked up to, how he just loved his fans and put on an amazing show.”
“I just have always been a huge fan of him and it was so sad,” the “I Got the Boy” singer continued. “My heart broke for him and his family and hopefully he’s in a better place resting up there.”
Chuck Wicks at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty
Meanwhile, Wicks, 44, told PEOPLE that he “grew up” with Keith’s music, recalling the “surreal” moments where he would see the “Red Solo Cup” crooner at awards shows.
“He was always bigger than life. And I think that’s what people loved about him so much is, he’s this big guy up there, bigger than life guy singing hit song after hit song.”
Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images
The “All I Ever Wanted” singer said he’d spoken to Keith at the2023 People’s Choice Country Awardsin September, mentioning Keith’s performance of his 2019 track “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at the ceremony, where he alsoaccepted the music icon award.
“I think a lot of people are going to remember him from that night in that song because it was very special to hear him sing it and so much emotion and he’ll definitely be missed for sure,” Wicks said, urging country radio and fans to send the song to the top of the charts.
Keith performed his final shows just two months ago, taking the stage at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Dec. 10, 11 and 14, 2023.
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“3 sold out shows in Vegas was a damn good way to end the year,” he posted on Instagram on Dec. 28 alongside a Reel of the performances.
His family shared a statement onX(formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday, confirming the musician had died the previous day.
source: people.com
