--- title: "That time a mortar attack interrupted Toby Keith’s Kandahar USO concert" description: "In 2008, Toby Keith was in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on one of his many USO tours when [a mortar attack interrupted the show]()." date: "2022-07-16" modified: "2024-02-06" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/that-time-a-mortar-attack-interrupted-toby-keiths-kandahar-uso-concert/" categories: - "Afghanistan War" - "History" - "War History" --- # That time a mortar attack interrupted Toby Keith’s Kandahar USO concert ![]() In 2008, Toby Keith was in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on one of his many USO tours when [a mortar attack interrupted the show](). The singer and the crowd of 2,500 service members, took cover in a nearby shelter for about an hour where Keith posed for photos and autographs. Pretty standard mortar attack pastime. Once given the "all clear," Keith went right back up on stage and finished his concert — starting from the verse where he left off. [Here's video from the concert]() where he sang the "Taliban Song," just because he could: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1pV2FUbo24 Keith was a strong supporter of the U.S. military, performing 11 USO tours overseas for service members. He repeatedly visited Afghanistan and Iraq during the Global War on Terror and was well known for his patriotism, love of country and respect for those in uniform. Keith [passed away from stomach cancer]() on February 5, 2024 at the age of 62. ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()