Toby Keith acknowledges that he can hold a grudge

CAITLIN KING - Associated Press Writer | Published: April 29, 2009 | Modified: April 30, 2009 at 3:40 pm

nd if somebody wants to find something political out of it, then fine. But my dad taught us that those people ought to be respected."

Keith, whose hits include "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue," is on his eighth USO tour, performing 17 shows in 11 days for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Instead of staying inside the heavily protected "green zone" the entire time, he travels to two forward operating bases a day, sometimes taking a two-hour helicopter ride to perform for only 25 to 30 troops.

Keith says the appearances make his wife and three children nervous.

"We've been shot at a few times," he says. "I've literally been in a foot race with other Marines and soldiers to the bunkers, with the sirens going off and mortars hitting."

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