Ford’s involvement with country music spans all the way back to the company’s founder – Henry Ford – who resonated with dance and fiddle music even before country became a formal genre in 1920 – as it aligned with his affinity for the working class and his belief that this type of music represented the moral fiber of America. In the many years since then, Ford has enjoyed a strong relationship with numerous country artists – ranging from Jimmie Allen to Luke Combs and many others – including the late Toby Keith, who recently passed away after a long bout with cancer.
As many will undoubtedly remember, the relationship between Ford and Toby Keith began in 2002, when the singer and the automaker teamed up to create an ad campaign called “Ford Truck Man,” and a year later, Keith headlined FoMoCo’s centennial celebration on the grounds of its world headquarters in Dearborn. Ford proceeded to sponsor Keith’s subsequent world tour, which doubled as a promotional effort for the then-new 2004 Ford F-150.
Though many promotional partnerships are based solely on money and nothing else, Toby Keith was also a third-generation Ford truck owner, who repeated a phrase his father once said in one of his songs – “I’d rather walk 10 miles and be down on my luck than ride around the block in another kind of pickup truck.” Keith originally rejected his father’s love for Ford and purchased another brand pickup when he was a teenager, only to later regret that decision. “My truck didn’t last,” Keith said. “Ever since then, I have driven Ford trucks exclusively. I am a Ford truck man through-and through. I can’t imagine myself as anything else.”
Over his decade-long formal relationship with Ford, Toby Keith made several appearances in F-Series pickups, starred in numerous commercials and a movie, and of course, owned a bunch of Blue Oval models – including a dozen F-150s, a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, a Ford GT40, a Ford Expedition limo, and a 1930 Lincoln Model L. Sadly, the country crooner isn’t around to share his love of The Blue Oval anymore, but those that love both Ford and his music certainly won’t forget.
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Comments
Rest in Peace Toby…thanks for all the great music!
Toby Keith was my FAVORITE CW Performer. And was a FORD MAN to boot.
Gone way too young. May He R.I.P.
So sad to hear about your passing. You were a great singer, and songwriter. You also were my favorite. May God be with you Toby always.
Rest in peace cowboy. You have gave us beautiful music for years now you can sing with the angels.
Why do you say that?
Dude you can’t even spell much less form an opinion…