Ethan Hawke and Peter Cooper, beware: Toby Keith holds grudges. The country superstar admits he doesn't quickly forgive and forget."I can hold a grudge," he tells The Gadsden Times. "There are certain things that can be forgiven, but if you're gonna tell a lie about me and then back it up like it's the truth, and try to make your star brighter ... if you can't work in your business and you have to resort to finding and critiquing other people and making up lies about other people and putting it in the press to try and make your star power bigger, then yeah, I've got a problem with that."
Toby is obviously still licking his wounds over Hawke's recent Rolling Stone article that detailed an alleged encounter between Toby and Kris Kristofferson, painting Toby in a rather unflattering light. Cooper, a reporter for Nashville's Tennesseean newspaper, then took a public tongue lashing from Toby over his own article about Hawke's story. Toby blames jealousy for the movie star and reporters' motivations.
"Guys who come out in the press who were famous who were trying to make their star brighter because they can't have what I've got ... you gotta come take this and you can't," he says. "So, if you can't do as well as I'm doing, then the only thing you can do is take shots at me. That's expected. It's jealous, and it's envious."
2009 ACM Awards Winners and Performers
Carrie Underwood performs "I Told You So" at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5, 2009.
Mark J. Terrill, AP
Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images for ACM
Musician Keith Urban performs onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Singer Miley Cyrus performs onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
George Strait performs at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5, 2009.
Mark J. Terrill, AP
Toby Keith performs onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Musician/singer Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Kenny Chesney performs onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Singer Carrie Underwood performs onstage during the 44th annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand on April 5, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images for ACM
Jamey Johnson performs "In Color" at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5, 2009.
Mark J. Terrill, AP
Toby vehemently denies the heated exchange with Kristofferson ever took place. Kristofferson says he simply doesn't remember it, but admits his wife does recall what happened. Regardless of who's right or wrong, Toby argues that he was wrongly attacked and would never himself do that to anyone else.
"When you reach the top of your game, you worked your butt off to get there and you go about your business ... I don't attack other people," he says. "You never hear it in the press, 'Toby Keith attacks so-and-so,' and singles out this act or singer."
Toby is currently in the middle of this seventh USO tour in the Middle East.
Reader Comments(1 of 24)
MISS SWEET Dat 4-29-2009
SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW ABOUT TOBY? HE'S ALWAYS BITCHING AND GRIPING ABOUT SOMETHING. BIG DEAL!!!
jenniferat 5-02-2009
didn't he use the dixie chicks to make his star power brighter?... funny how when people do it to him, he can't handle it. toby sucks anyway. he cackles like a hen... excecpt hens sound better when they cackle!!!
Jaciat 5-02-2009
I totally agree Miss Sweet D!! He never stops! It's the only way he gets any press!!
buzltyr837at 5-02-2009
Hey Toby...Come out of the closet! You're gay (not that there is anything wrong with it) & YOU know it!
You literally SUCK!
Angelieat 5-02-2009
sounds a little to me that YOU'RE the one whose gay.
tagat 5-02-2009
I agree. Has Toby Keith forgotten how he treated the Dixie Chicks. I wish he wasn't from the same state I am...and I hope everyone eventually sees him for who he is. He can do all the troop supporting he wants-I still won't believe he's a nice guy .
Tonyaat 5-02-2009
Miss D..I totally agree with your comment. I'm a Kentucky girl and I think Toby Keith is a dumb***. I did everything he could to ruin the Dixie Chicks' career, and I think he's the kind of guy that would take anyone down that he could. He certainly is a master grudge-holder. He needs to get a grip and he needs a kick in the ***!!!
Fitbuffat 5-02-2009
Toby iS A AMAZING ARTIST AND DOES NOT NEED TO CONFORM TO ANYTHING......HE can bitch all he want's most of it is warranted...............
beardancer1964at 5-02-2009
I agree with FITBUFF... Toby is totally awesome. Straight up, he is not going to take any crap from anybody.
Bdcelina777at 5-02-2009
TK is an SOB he dished my 4year old girl at a signing. He can kiss my ass. Such a whiner.
mrscgstevensat 5-02-2009
I agree!! boo woo! I'm a rich star that gets noticed when I throw hissy fits! He needs to get over his self!
steve brixeyat 5-03-2009
I'd like to see how he would do in Marine Corps boot camp. He wouldn't survive.
Slug Wrenchat 5-03-2009
What the hell is wrong with Ya'LL? Like it matters one bit? Anyway the dixie chicks started all that crap. Remember? They were "ashamed to be from the same state as Our President." I guess we will all have to wait and see if we are proud of our new President. Doubt if anyone will be able to post it though, cause we won't be able to pay for internet when he is done. Oh well there is always the Library were they have heat and air conditioning and running water. GET YOUR LIBRARY CARD TODAY!
Eileenat 5-03-2009
You are so right! Toby used his feud with the Dixie Chicks to make his star shine...now he's whining (as usual) when someone does it to him. Well waaaa...go suck your thumb Toby...loser!!
jasonat 5-03-2009
personally i think hes a hippocrite!! or how ever u spell it!! he does the same thing but as soon as it happends to him its omg its wrong! but thats just me i just really cant stand him cuz of his hatred for mexicans and gays...yea im not super fond of mexicans but not to the point like him!!!