Toby Keith, who died in February after a battle with stomach cancer, was announced among three new inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Monday morning.
Keith, known for hits like “How Do You Like Me Now” and “As Good as I Once Was,” is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame but until Monday had not been announced as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He died on Feb. 5 before the Country Music Hall of Fame could notify him of the honor, according to Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. The Hall of Fame votes and results came in the day after his death on Feb. 6, Trahern said.
Keith’s son, Stelen Covel, accepted the honor on his behalf.
“Toby’s passing left our hearts broken,” the Covel family said in a statement. “We miss him so much, but we take comfort that his music and legacy will live forever. Thank you, Country Music Hall of Fame, for helping keep it alive.”
Also announced Monday, guitarist James Burton, who worked with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Burton be inducted in the Recording and/or Touring Musician category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with Songwriter and Non-Performer categories.
“Seminole Wind” singer John Anderson was also named to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Bob McDill, Patty Loveless and Tanya Tucker were inducted into the hall of fame in 2023.
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