Toby Keith Says Stomach Cancer Struggle Is a 'Little Bit of a Roller Coaster': 'You're Up and Down'

The icon performed at the 2023 People's Choice Country Awards, and says he feels “pretty good"

Toby Keith helped kick off the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday, saying that even though he’s in the midst of fighting stomach cancer, “I feel pretty good.”

The country legend — who was accepting the Country Icon Award — told E! News that his cancer struggle is "a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you're up and down, up and down.”

“It's always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today," he said while walking the red carpet outside Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry with wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia Lucus.

Related: Toby Keith Accepts 2023 PCCA Country Music Icon Award and Jokes 'Thought You'd Never See Me in Skinny Jeans'

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Keith, 62, revealed his stomach cancer diagnosis in June 2022 with a statement on his Instagram account.

“I've spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery," he explained. "So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax."

On Thursday night, singer performed his 2019 track "Don't Let the Old Man In" for his first televised performance since revealing his stomach cancer diagnosis.

But before hitting the stage, he accepted the Icon award from Blake Shelton, who honored him for his work as a musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur.

"Bet you thought you'd never see me in skinny jeans," Keith quipped, while accepting the honor. "I want to thank the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. You've been riding shotgun with me for a little while."

After thanking his family, he showed his gratitude for his team, noting that "a lot of people go into making a big career like this of 30 years."

Related: 2023 People's Choice Country Awards — See the Complete List of Winners

"Most of all I want to thank the fans for still allowing us to do what we do," he added.

In June, the "I Love This Bar" singer shared a health update with The Oklahoman, and said he was "feeling pretty good," and hoped to tour again by the end of the year if he could keep his strength up.

Related: Toby Keith Belts Out His Own Hit Song While Doing Karaoke in an Uber

"Basically, everything is in a real positive trend. You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare," he said. "I've got more wind. And I'm thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere just to see if I can get through two hours."

He continued: "All I gotta do is see if I can get through two or three nights of work and get a little break in this chemo, and we'll go back to work… I’m ready. That's living."

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