Country Thunder CEO recalls Toby Keith’s stopover in Regina

Troy Vollhoffer was thinking back Tuesday to the time country music superstar Toby Keith savoured two of Regina’s tastiest traditions in 2015.

“We were coming up on our tour bus, just crossing the border, and I get a call from Toby Keith and he’s in Regina and he’s staying at the Hotel Sask,” recalled Vollhoffer, the Regina-born CEO of the Country Thunder Music Festival.

“He calls and he goes, ‘Hey, do you know of any cool places in Regina to go hang out?’ — they were playing the arena in Moose Jaw — and I was like, ‘Yeah, there’s Milky Way and Houston Pizza.’ I didn’t think I was going to see him because I thought he had to go to the show.

“I always stop at Houston Pizza when we get to town. I go into the restaurant and there’s Toby sitting in Houston Pizza and he says, ‘Man, that Milky Way was an amazing place. What great ice cream.’ And then he says, ‘I’ve never eaten anything like this pizza,’ because the only pizza he’s eaten in his life has been American-style pizza with like a couple of pieces of pepperoni on it, and he’s got the full sandwich.

“He took a picture outside of Moose Jaw on his way there and sent it to me, and he just told me how wonderful his experience was in Regina.”

Keith died Monday at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer.

Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!! Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See… pic.twitter.com/9a2RauHo5p

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) February 6, 2024

He travelled to many different places throughout his long and successful music career, including Saskatchewan. He also played at the annual country music festival in Craven twice, appearing in 2008 and 2017.

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Keith worked in the oilfields in Oklahoma and played semi-pro football before focusing on a career in country music. He eventually put more than 60 singles on the Hot Country chart and had hits such as “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “As Good As I Once Was,” and “Red Solo Cup.”

Vollhoffer said Keith was one of a kind as a musician.

“His show was real,” the Country Thunder exec said. “Virtually every night, he showed up and he was at 75 to 100 per cent, which is not most entertainers.

“It’s a hard road out there, but he gave it all he’s got, and I think he gave back to the fans. He was never one of those guys who would go, ‘I don’t want to meet anybody. I don’t want to do a meet and greet.’ He welcomed his fans with open arms.”

Vollhoffer recalled a conversation he had with Keith a couple of years ago, when the star said he wanted to do 365 shows in 365 days. Vollhoffer remembered telling Keith that wasn’t possible, but the musician said he wanted to give it a try.

“He had it all planned out and all sketched out and it was pretty neat,” Vollhoffer said. “I think if his health would have stayed in check, I think he would have been able to make that goal.”

The crowd during the Toby Keith concert at Country Thunder Saskatchewan in 2017. (980 CJME file photo)