5 Shocking Revelations About Stelen Keith Covel: Toby Keith’s Son Forging His Own Empire

Stelen Keith Covel, the only son of late country music legend Toby Keith, has been rapidly making headlines in late 2024 and throughout 2025, solidifying his status as a formidable entrepreneur and a dedicated family man. The young Covel, who turned 28 in 2025, has successfully stepped out of his father's shadow, not by pursuing a career in country music, but by building a diverse portfolio of successful businesses that span restaurants, bars, and a cutting-edge sports media platform. The most recent and heartwarming news, as of this December 2025 update, centers on his growing family and his role in preserving his father’s legacy, a year after Toby Keith’s passing. The Covel family has seen both immense joy and profound grief recently, with Stelen and his wife, Haley Covel, welcoming their first child, a daughter, while simultaneously navigating the first year without the family patriarch. This article dives deep into Stelen's life, from his complete biography to his latest business ventures, providing the most current and unique information available about the man establishing his own empire in Oklahoma and beyond.

Stelen Keith Covel: Complete Biographical Profile

Stelen Keith Covel is the youngest child and only son of country music icon Toby Keith and his wife, Tricia Lucus Covel. While his father’s career dominated the country charts for decades, Stelen has chosen a path in business and entrepreneurship, demonstrating a keen mind for investment and management.

• Full Name: Stelen Keith Covel
• Date of Birth: April 17, 1997
• Age (as of December 2025): 28 years old
• Place of Birth: Oklahoma, USA
• Parents: Toby Keith (Father, deceased) and Tricia Lucus Covel (Mother)
• Siblings: Krystal Keith (Older Sister, country singer) and Shelley Covel Rowland (Older Half-Sister, adopted by Toby Keith)
• Wife: Haley Covel (née Haley Balzer)
• Wedding Date: November 2021
• Child: Millie Brooks Covel (Daughter, born 2024)
• Education: University of Oklahoma (Graduated 2019)
• Occupation: Entrepreneur, Co-Owner/Director of multiple businesses
• Known For: Son of Toby Keith, Co-Owner of Sellout Crowd, Hollywood Corners, and 405 Burger Bar.

Stelen grew up in a blended family in Oklahoma, a state his father famously championed throughout his career. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 2019, choosing to focus on a business career rather than following his sister Krystal Keith into the music industry. His marriage to his long-time girlfriend, Haley Balzer, in November 2021 was a celebrated event, with his father, Toby Keith, performing a John Denver classic at the reception.

The Covel Entrepreneurial Empire: More Than Just Restaurants

Unlike many children of celebrities who lean into their parent’s industry, Stelen Keith Covel has dedicated himself to creating a robust and diverse business portfolio, primarily centered in Oklahoma. His ventures showcase a strategic focus on hospitality and media, proving his acumen as a serious entrepreneur.

Hollywood Corners: Preserving a Legendary Oklahoma Landmark

One of Stelen's most significant and personal business ventures is Hollywood Corners. This venue is more than just a bar and music spot; it’s a historic landmark in Norman, Oklahoma, that Toby Keith purchased and restored. Stelen now manages and operates the establishment, which serves as a tribute to his father's love for Oklahoma and country music. It hosts live music and serves as a local hub, keeping the Toby Keith spirit alive through community and entertainment.

The 405 Burger Bar and Tequila Chulos

Stelen’s hospitality portfolio extends to two other notable establishments: 405 Burger Bar and Tequila Chulos. The 405 Burger Bar is a popular local eatery, capitalizing on the local "405" area code identity. Meanwhile, Tequila Chulos is a restaurant venture that further diversifies his interests within the food and beverage industry. These ventures are a testament to Stelen’s hands-on approach to business, where he acts as a director and co-owner, proving he’s not just a figurehead but a key operational player.

Sellout Crowd: A Major Leap into Sports Media

Perhaps the most ambitious of Stelen’s current endeavors is his involvement in Sellout Crowd. This is a modern, digital-first sports media platform focused heavily on Oklahoma sports, particularly the Oklahoma Sooners. This move into media demonstrates a savvy understanding of the digital landscape and a move away from traditional hospitality. By co-owning and directing Sellout Crowd, Stelen is positioning himself as a major player in the regional sports media market, connecting with a passionate fanbase and building a brand that extends beyond his family's country music legacy.

The New Chapter: Fatherhood and Honoring Toby Keith’s Memory

The years 2024 and 2025 have been pivotal for Stelen Keith Covel, marked by both a major loss and a beautiful new beginning.

Welcoming Baby Millie Brooks

In 2024, Stelen and his wife Haley Covel welcomed their first child, a daughter named Millie Brooks Covel. This joyous event made Stelen a first-time father and gave his mother, Tricia Lucus, and his sisters, Krystal Keith and Shelley Covel Rowland, a new member of the Covel clan to cherish. The arrival of Millie Brooks also made Toby Keith a grandfather for the fourth time, an event that, though it happened after his passing, was a source of immense pride for the entire family. The Covel family has shared several heartwarming photos and messages on social media, celebrating the new baby and the continuation of their family line.

A Heartfelt Tribute to His Hero

Toby Keith Covel passed away on February 5, 2024, after a battle with stomach cancer. In February 2025, one year after his father's death, Stelen shared a powerful and emotional tribute, calling his late father his "hero." This public expression of grief and love resonated deeply with fans of the country star and highlighted the close, personal bond between father and son. Stelen has taken on the mantle of protecting his father's business and personal legacy, a responsibility that includes managing his father's estate alongside his mother and sisters.

Stelen Covel’s Role in the Toby Keith Legacy

While Stelen has forged his own path, he remains deeply connected to the Toby Keith legacy. He is one of the three adult children named in Toby Keith’s will, along with his sisters Krystal LaDawn Sandubrae (Krystal Keith) and Rashelle Lashawn Covel (Shelley Covel Rowland), ensuring the family’s future and the continuation of their father's charitable and business interests. Stelen’s work in the hospitality industry, particularly with Hollywood Corners, directly contributes to preserving his father's vision for Oklahoma. His businesses, like the Tequila Chulos and 405 Burger Bar, are often seen as part of the broader Covel family's entrepreneurial spirit. By focusing on his own career, Stelen honors his father's drive and work ethic, proving that the Covel name is synonymous not just with music, but with successful, grounded business ventures. He is successfully navigating the pressure of being the son of a legend by creating his own distinct and powerful identity as a businessman, a husband, and a devoted father.