Toby Keith

Big Dog Daddy

Label: Show Dog

Toby Keith’s Big Dog Daddy notes explain his penchant for complete control. “This is the first studio album Show Dog has released that it has 100% ownership of,” says Keith. “To own these masters, you would have to buy my record label. So it just seems right that it’s sung by, written by and produced by [me].” Keith also sang most of the vocal harmonies and wrote on all but two of the 11 tracks. The artist, label head and songwriter recently was lauded by BMI for 50 million airplays, a feat which puts him in the company of greats such as Elton John, the Bee Gees and John Lennon. Keith’s personality is his strongest—or weakest—asset depending upon who you ask, but his country songwriting has been consistently above reproach.

Big Dog… deftly blends home grown poetic irreverence, revealing philosophical detours and everyday heartaches into a party dough filled with screaming guitars, inventive instrumental bridges and plain rockin’ fun. Essential listening is the Keith/Scotty Emerick song, “I Know She Hung The Moon [But I’m the one that held the ladder];” and Fred Eaglesmith’s serious “White Rose” a tribute to the old neighborhood filling station.

by: David M Ross