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Toby Keith made a surprise appearance at Mel Tillis' honky-tonk party at The Stage on Lower Broadway Tuesday night. Keith was one of many to pay tribute to Tillis, the newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Beforehand, Keith said he would sing the Tillis-written smash "Rudy" but instead, ended up on stage with him for more than 30 minutes, singing Tillis hits and some Texas swing songs.

"I like ol' Toby. I've known him for many years. I knew him before he ever hit and he's a good ol' boy," Tillis said. "He's got his head on right. I think he's a great talent."

Nearly a dozen country singers got up to sing a Tillis song and that of course included his daughter Pam. Others on the show included Jason Michael Carroll, Radney Foster of Foster & Lloyd, newcomer Sarah Johns, Trick Pony's Ira Dean and former Trick Pony lead singer Heidi Newfield.

"I, I, I, I thank you all for being here. By the way, my name is Mel Tillis. I'm Pam's daddy," he said jokily.

Tillis' music publishing company put on the bash to honor his Hall of Fame induction and to remind other artists that he has a deep treasure trove of song that could still be cut today. from Music City News