Blake Shelton "learned a lot" from Toby Keith

In a clip obtained by E! News, Blake said: "When I was just a baby artist coming up in the music industry, Toby was the first major artist to give me a chance. And I think it was because I was a fellow Oky.

"I looked up to Toby. and I think I learned a lot being around him. Once you were in there, you were a lifetime member. There will never be another Toby Keith."

Reba McEntire celebrated her late pal for more than his musical accomplishments, noting he had a heart "as big as Oklahoma".

She added: "Toby reflected the best of Oklahoma. A lot of people dream of making it big so they can leave their hometown. Toby wanted to make his hometown bigger. And when he made it big, he took the whole state with him."

Meanwhile, Dolly Parton compared Toby to fellow late country legend Merle Haggard, who died in 2016.

She said: "You know, they always called Merle Haggard the poet of the common man.

"I believe Toby picked up that title from Merle for the next generation. Toby, just know that we will always love you."

Other stars paying tribute in the special include Miranda Lambert, Peyton Manning and Willie Nelson, while musical performances will come from the likes of Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll and Eric Church.