Fans are reacting to the news that country star Toby Keith will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just weeks after his death from stomach cancer at the age of 62.
The singer was elected along with John Anderson and James Burton Monday as this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame class.
“Each of these inductees have made an indelible impact on country music,” said Sarah Trahern, the Country Music Association’s CEO, in a statement. Trahern went on to explain how election rules dictate that a performer cannot be elected the same year as their death, but Keith was still receiving the honor because he had been chosen prior to his death on February 5.
“Nominations were made in the fall of 2023 with the first ballot sent to voters before the holidays, with the final ballot closing on Friday, Feb. 2,” Trahern continued. “Our professional services partners at Deloitte released the results to us just a few days later.”
“This year, we anticipated receiving the names of our final inductees on Tuesday, Feb. 6. As we know now, we woke up that morning to the heartbreaking news that our friend Toby Keith had lost his long battle with stomach cancer,” she went on, saying the final votes were submitted shortly after news of his death.
“Truly one of the greatest honors of my job is getting to inform these inductees that they are the newest members of the hallowed class,” Trahern concluded. “My heart sank that Tuesday afternoon, knowing that we had missed the chance to inform Toby while he was still with us. But I have no doubt that he is smiling down on us, knowing that he will always be ‘as good as he once was.’”
Fans on social media expressed similar thoughts about the news, which was shared from the official Toby Keith X account.
Just announced: Toby will be inducted into the @countrymusichof as part of the Class of 2024! pic.twitter.com/lljkpuSLF6
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) March 18, 2024
“Better late than never but I wish they would have inducted him sooner so he could have lived to see it,” one account replied.
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“Well it’s a shame that he didn’t get it before he passed away… they could have let him know…well he’s in heaven singing his heart out now…congratulations Toby,” another X user said.
“Happy to see this finally happen. It’s just a shame they didn’t do it a long time ago. He worked so hard and put everything he had into his love of music. I wish he could have been here for this. Love you so much TK, well deserved!” a third account echoed.
A formal induction ceremony for Burton, Anderson, and Keith will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum this October.
