Toby Keith's long-time friend Cledus T. Judd has opened up about how much time the singer spent abroad to perform for the serving troops overseas, and why he wouldn't join him.
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The Big Dog Daddy spent a lot of time performing for troops in acting war zones. It's no secret that he braved actual military situations so he can sing live for the soldiers on the front lines.
With Memorial Day, the country reflected on the Veterans lost and extended their gratitude to those currently serving the nation. But you can't have a Memorial Day without sparing a thought for Toby Keith. He may not currently be with us, but all he did still echoes on.
Cledus T. Judd, who was by Keith's side for many years, has many stories to share. Just like the time he hauled someone up by their belt straps during a bar fight. Recently, Cledus sat down with Dillon Weldon on the Drifting Cowboy podcast.
"I always said, 'Toby, you need to get you a timeshare over in Iraq,'" he joked. "Because, hell, he spent most of his time over there."
Cledus Could Never Bring Himself To Go With Toby
"He tried to get me to go over there two or three different times," Cledus shared. "And I said, 'Look here, hoss, you braver than me. I'm a big sissy. [I'll] stay right over here in the US of A, and you go over there and handle them troops, and I'll hold the fort down here.'"
"I never had the balls to go do it."
Weldon has been told by others just how dangerous these tours have become. He was told all about what Keith had to deal with in these active zones: "Bombs going over, being dropped off in the desert in the middle of nowhere."
Cledus added that the danger, "Didn't phase Toby Keith. He's just a big old boy. He can handle himself, I promise you."
I'm sure there are countless stories of Keith's time abroad. Of course, what Keith went through was a daily struggle for the actual soldiers. But he's one civilian who had his fair share of action.
