Toby Keith declines chance to become 'American Idol' judge

Keith, 51, declined to take on the role as an “Idol” judge because he doesn't have the time to commit to it, according to entertainment industry reports.

Keith is known for releasing new music on a yearly basis; along with recording the vocals, he also writes most of his own songs and produces his albums. Tuesday, he released “I Like Girls That Drink Beer,” the lead-off single from his next album.

Traveling the country through late September on his “Live in Overdrive” 2012 tour, Keith, who was raised in Moore, also is principal of his record label, Show Dog-Universal Music.

Among his other business endeavors are his expanding chain of Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill restaurants. The original locations in Oklahoma City and Las Vegas are marking their seventh anniversaries.

In May, he helped the Toby Keith Foundation break ground on the OK Kids Korral on the south end of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Set to open in fall 2013, the Korral will provide housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families seeking care at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center and other nearby facilities.