NASHVILLE, Tenn.) This week, Toby Keith will step onto the stage of the Ed Sullivan Theater as one of the first guests on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. When the talk show host introduced Keith’s recent induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Colbert told the esteemed audience he showed up “because Toby has always showed up for me.” And now, Keith will continue his support and help to launch the new late night program.

The multi-platinum entertainer and irreverent television icon have a long history that includes Keith’s four appearances on the Colbert Report, plus the Christmas special and the show’s finale. So it is fitting that Toby would join the first week lineup of Colbert’s new role as host of The Late Show on Thursday, September 10. The singer-songwriter will perform “Rum is the Reason,” a song from his upcoming album.

Keith recently performed in Chicago for a taping of PBS’ Soundstage. The television program’s initial run during 1974-1985 was legendary and groundbreaking and the innovative music series is set to return later this year. His standing-room-only concert was the first session to be recorded for the new season.

In other news, Keith was recently nominated for a British Country Music Award in the International Song of the Year category. The song, “35 mph Town,” is the title track from his new album which is scheduled for release on October 9th.

Another chapter in the anthology of arguably the most prolific self-directed creative forces in country music history – if not music history – 35 mph Town features Keith as producer (with Bobby Pinson) and principle songwriter, in addition to being the artist, lead vocalist and a contributing musician.

The 10-track album credits Keith on nine cuts, seven with Pinson and one each with Scotty Emerick and Rivers Rutherford. The album also features the sly social commentary single “Drunk Americans,” which was written by Brandy Clark, Bob DiPiero and Shane McAnally.

As he prepares for the launch of the album and a national media blitz in support, Keith continues to headline the Good Times & Pick Up Lines Tour Presented by Ford F-Series, drawing standing-room-only crowds from coast to coast.