Toby Keith Taps Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson For Oklahoma Tornado Relief Concert

Country superstar and Oklahoma native Toby Keith has announced plans to hold a relief concert benefiting victims of the deadly tornado that struck the Sooner State last month.

The Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert will take place Saturday, July 6, at The Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Proceeds from the event will benefit The United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornado Relief Fund.

Keith has tapped country icons Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson, as well as singer Trisha Yearwood (Brooks’ wife) and singer-songwriter Ronnie Dunn (of country duo Brooks & Dunn) to perform at the show.

"I grew up in Moore," said Keith in a statement. "I live in Norman, and I've got lots of family and friends who were directly affected. I know these folks, and they're resilient, but we're going to keep helping them any way we can. I'm proud to get together with some others from around here who are just as committed as I am to supporting these communities."

"Once we got the news that the tornado had hit Toby's hometown, Miss Yearwood and I told Toby we were at his service for whatever he chose to do," Brooks added. "I am amazed at the human spirit the tornado victims have shown. I am humbled by the giving of the volunteers. It is an honor to get to be a part of this healing process."

Tickets for the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert go on sale Friday, June 21, at 10 a.m.

Oklahoma has seen more than its fair share of tragedy recently. On May 20, an EF5 tornado with an estimated peak wind speed of 200 mph struck Keith’s hometown of Moore, killing 24 and injuring 377. The city itself was decimated, with thousands of structures damaged or completely destroyed.

On the evening of May 31, another EF5 tornado struck Oklahoma, this time in El Reno, a city about 25 miles from Moore. According to The Associated Press, 22 people were killed in that tornado and ensuing flash floods, and more than 100 were injured.