John Foster Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Toby Keith’s Family With “Don’t Let The Old Man In”

During the American Idol finale in May 2025, 19-year-old contestant John Foster honored the late Toby Keith with a moving performance of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” Foster ultimately finished in second place, a launchpad that quickly accelerated his country music career.

Just one month later, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut in June, and has since returned to its stage multiple times while continuing to tour across the U.S.

Most recently, Foster traveled to Oklahoma for the Toby Keith Foundation’s Schooner Fall Classic, a multi-day women’s collegiate golf tournament held at Belmar Golf Club in Norman. Proceeds from the event benefit the Foundation’s OK Kids Korral, which provides a free “home away from home” for children battling cancer and their families.

Before performing at the Classic on September 19, Foster visited Toby Keith’s memorial site. He shared photos of the beautiful tribute, which includes a portrait of Toby with his wife Tricia, and an engraving resembling a folded American flag draped over the stone. “It’s an absolute honor to take the stage tonight in Norman, OK for Toby Keith’s amazing foundation,” Foster wrote. “We were also honored to spend a quiet moment at the legend’s resting place—a reminder of the incredible legacy he left behind.”

 

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Later that evening, Foster delivered one of his most personal performances yet—an acoustic rendition of Toby’s deeply meaningful “Don’t Let The Old Man In”—sung directly for Tricia and their daughter, Krystal. Captured on video, the moment shows both women visibly moved as they lowered their heads and listened to the young singer’s tender delivery. When the song ended, they applauded through tears, with Tricia telling Foster he had done a wonderful job.

The song itself carries a powerful backstory. Toby wrote it after a conversation with Clint Eastwood, who, at age 88, explained his vitality by simply saying: “I don’t let the old man in.” Inspired, Toby penned a song that Clint later featured in his 2018 film The Mule.

In September 2024, Toby performed “Don’t Let The Old Man In” while accepting the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards. That performance, just months before his passing, became his last televised appearance—and the song’s lyrics now hold an even deeper meaning.

Watch John Foster’s touching tribute to Toby Keith’s wife and daughter, and revisit Toby’s final performance of the song, below.