Toby Keith to be posthumously honored with Country Music Hall of Fame induction
Hall of Fame FILE PHOTO: Toby Keith (L) and Blake Shelton perform onstage during the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Keith will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
The Country Music Hall of Fame has announced that it will induct singer/songwriter Toby Keith months after he died from stomach cancer.
He had been chosen in that vote, with officials learning just hours after Keith died, The New York Times reported.
“My heart sank that Tuesday afternoon, knowing that we had missed the chance to inform Toby while he was still with us,” Sarah Trahern said in the announcement on Monday.
Trahern is the chief executive of the Country Music Association.
Musicians can be included in the Hall of Fame after death, but there is a rule that prohibits it the same year they die. But Trahern said the rule didn’t apply to Keith.
Keith’s name will be included with John Anderson and James Burton during the ceremony in October at the CMA Theater in Nashville. They join 150 entertainers such as Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Charley Pride. Keith was the annual modern-day inductee, while Andeson was chosen in the veteran’s-era category for performers who became stars before 1979, Variety reported. Burton is the recording and/or touring musician honoree.
The “Red Solo Cup” singer had 20 No. 1 Billboard country singles over his three-decade career, the Times reported.
He was already a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, CNN reported.
Keith announced his cancer diagnosis in 2022 but had been receiving treatment starting in October 2021.
“I’ve spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax,” Keith said in a statement in 2022. “I am looking forward to spending time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later.”
He continued performing through his health battle almost until his passing, CNN reported.
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith, left, and Willie Nelson perform at the BMI Country Awards in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Country singer Toby Keith, right, chats with brothers Christian Collins and Calen Collins, with Caddy for a Cure, as Keith waits to tee off in the celebrity group on the ninth hole during the pro-am of the Honda Classic golf tournament, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Singer Toby Keith performs during rehearsals for the Academy of Country Music Awards, Friday, April 3, 2009, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(Mark J. Terrill/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith presents the award for male video of the year at the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (Julie Jacobson/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toby Keith through the years Honoree Toby Keith gives remarks at the 46th Annual Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis on Thursday, June 18, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith, left, and Blake Shelton perform "Should've Been a Cowboy" at the 53rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Invision)
Toby Keith through the years FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2012, file photo Toby Keith performs at the 60th Annual BMI Country Awards on in Nashville, Tenn. Keith, whose hometown of Moore, Okla., was hit by a massive tornado in May, announced Thursday, June 13, 2013, that his Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert will be held July 6 at the University of Oklahoma's Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman. Joining Keith is fellow Oklahoman Garth Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood. Other performers include Willie Nelson and Ronnie Dunn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File) (Wade Payne/Wade Payne/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs at Naperville's Ribfest at Knoch Park on Friday, June 30, 2017, in Naperville, IL. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP) (Rob Grabowski/Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Country music recording artist Toby Keith holds a red Solo cup as he performs on NBC's Today show at Rockefeller Plaza on Friday, July 5, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP) (Greg Allen/Greg Allen/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2009 file photo, country singer Toby Keith speaks during a news conference in Oslo, Norway ahead of the annual Nobel Peace Prize concert. The Boston Pops announced Wednesday, June 9, 2010, that Keith will perform with the Pops during the annual July 4 concert. (AP Photo/John McConnico, File) (John McConnico/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs during the American Country Countdown Awards at the Forum on Sunday, May 1, 2016 in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Invision/AP) (Vince Bucci/Vince Bucci/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Country singer Toby Keith leans on Ford F-150 at the North American International Auto Show Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Gary Malerba) (Gary Malerba/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs at the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 6, 2013 in Norman, Okla. (Photo by Alonzo Adams/Invision/AP) (Alonzo Adams, Wendi Hammock/Alonzo Adams, Wendi Hammock/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years FILE - In this April 7, 2014, file photo shows Toby Keith performs at ACM Presents an All-Star Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas. Singer and songwriter Keith will perform a tribute to the late legend Merle Haggard during the American Country Countdown Awards on May 1, 2016. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith, right, meets with fellow country singer Larry Gatlin after Keith taped his performance on the "Fox & friends" television program's All American Concert Series in New York Thursday, June 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (Richard Drew/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Country stars Willie Nelson, left, and Toby Keith appear at a press conference in Houston touting the pre-game show for Super Bowl XXXVIII on Friday, Jan. 30, 2004. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (KERVORK DJANSEZIAN/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith, right, performs with the Wayman Tisdale band at halftime of a men's NCAA basketball game featuring Texas agiainst Oklahoma in Norman, Okla, Saturday, Feb 6, 2010. Band member Mark Harper is at left. The game was game dedicated to the memory of late Sooners star Wayman Tisdale. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (Sue Ogrocki/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs at the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 6, 2013 in Norman, Okla. (Photo by Alonzo Adams/Invision/AP) (Alonzo Adams, Wendi Hammock/Alonzo Adams, Wendi Hammock/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs on stage at the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Toby Keith performs in the audience at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 1, 2012 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
Toby Keith through the years Singer Toby Keith performs during Country Music Television's "CMT Giants" honoring Hank Williams, Jr. in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) (Matt Sayles/ASSOCIATED PRESS)