Country Singer Toby Keith, 62, took time out of his increasingly busy schedule amid pop-up concerts to acknowledge the 15th anniversary of the "Beer for My Horses" film that was released in 2008.
Country music legends Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, 90, released their iconic hit "Beer for My Horses" a few years before the film was produced. The movie was based on their popular song that once topped the music charts.
Being able to celebrate milestones which may include anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations, childbirth, and more is greatly cherished among cancer patients and their loved ones.
Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. The "Red Solo Cup" singer underwent six months of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. He said his tumor is shrinking as ongoing chemo treatments wind down.
Stomach cancer or gastric cancer happens when cancer cells begin in the inner lining of the stomach.
It's been 15 years since the popular film, "Beer for My Horses" hit the big screens featuring the country singer Toby Keith, 62. The award-winning singer took to Instagram to mark the anniversary of the movie that tells the story of two best friends working together as deputies in a small Oklahoma town. The movie was based on the song sharing its namesake that was recorded six years earlier with country legend Willie Nelson, 90.
"Who went to see the #BeerForMyHorses movie when it hit theaters on this day?" Keith asked his loyal social media followers.
Reflecting on the popular film is a milestone moment for the country singer and stomach cancer warrior. Being able to celebrate key moments in life is a big deal for cancer patients and their loved ones. Cherished moments considered milestones may include a wedding, the birth of a child, birthdays, or in Keith's case, the release of one of his most popular movies. Fans quickly chimed in the comment section with their reflections on the award-winning film.
"My friend, Barb, and I did! It was a very good movie…fun mixed with a bit of danger! Barb actually won a signed script that night from a radio station," an Instagram user going by the name Celeste wrote.
"Love that movie, Rodney Carrington is hilarious! I have probably seen it a dozen times and could watch it again and again!" Wendy Howell said in a comment.
"Me, I did, and I also have the DVD and Broken Bridges DVD too. Love Toby and everything he has done. He’s a good man," another user wrote.
While Toby Keith fans were delighted by the film, the song topped the music charts. "Beer for My Horses" had a six-week reign at the top of the charts in 2003, according to Billboard. It has been played on the radio "3.8 billion" times and streamed "229 million" times in the U.S.
In a previous interview, Keith said the inspiration for the song came from his time working at rodeos when he was younger. He said the cowboys would often walk around with "flasks of whiskey" and they would toast each other with the phrase, "whiskey for my men, beer for my horses" Keith explained to Outsider, an outdoor lifestyle media outlet.
LAS VEGAS – MAY 26: Musicians Willie Nelson (left) and Toby Keith on stage at the “39th Annual Country Music Awards” on May 26, 2004 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Keith met Nelson at a show and pitched the song to him, laying the groundwork for the hit.
Keith said the song is "about justice, but more so about the law of the Old West. It truly depicts how I feel about the justice system today."
Toby Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021. The "Red Solo Cup" singer has not said much publicly about his cancer journey outside of limited interviews and announcing it on his social media last year.
Stomach cancer or gastric cancer occurs when cancer cells begin in the inner lining of the stomach, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Keith told Country Music Television in an interview, "I need a little bit of time to just rest up and heal up."
"I'm thinking about getting back to fighting shape…It's pretty debilitating to have to go through all that, but as long as everything stays hunky-dory, then we'll look at something good in the future," he added.
LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 07: Recording artist Toby Keith performs onstage during ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for ACM)
Symptoms associated with this type of cancer include indigestion, bloating after eating, loss of appetite, nausea, and heartburn. Although these symptoms could be benign, if you experience these persistently, consult with your doctor for further evaluation.
The brave country singer underwent six months of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. He had to cancel scheduled concerts following his diagnosis so he could focus on his recovery.
Stomach cancer is often treated depending on the cancer's location and if it has spread to other parts of your body. Treatment options include:
Surgery involves removing cancer cells from the lining of the stomach.
Chemotherapy uses medications designed to kill cancer cells.
Radiation uses high-energy X-rays or protons to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy involves using your body's immune system to kill cancer cells.
Targeted drug therapy involves targeting specific chemicals found within cancer cells.
Keith's cancer battle is leaving him feeling positive as treatments are expected to wrap up soon.
Staying positive and practicing gratitude are important parts of the journey for cancer patients.
WATCH: Positivity and gratitude.
This is something Dr. Zuri Murrell of Cedars-Sinai says helps a cancer patient's prognosis.
"A positive attitude is really important," Dr. Murrell said.
"My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they're diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn't that mean I'm good at saying that the cancer won't grow," Dr. Murrell added.
Positivity coupled with gratitude further contributes to the outlook of cancer patients.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you or a loved one are faced with cancer and wondering how treatment may affect your life, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor to help get the conversation started:
What are the potential side effects of my treatment?
How will treatment affect my ability to continue my usual activities?
Are there ways to manage side effects of the treatment?
When will I be able to get back to normal activities?
I'd like to find other ways to occupy my time while going through treatment. Are there resources that can help me find activities that make sense to me?
