Toby Keith died just before learning of his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Toby Keith is one of 2,024 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The songwriter died on Feb. 5 after a long battle with stomach cancer — a day before the names of the final inductees were delivered to the Hall of Fame staff.

Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO, announced Keith as one of this year's inductees and went through the nomination process during a press conference in the Hall of Fame's Rotunda on Monday morning. “My heart sank that Tuesday afternoon knowing that we missed the opportunity to update 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. ,” he said, nodding to one of Keith's many hit songs.

Keith, already a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, will be inducted into the Modern Era Artist category.

John Anderson, the “Swingin'” singer known for his distinctive country voice, will be inducted into the Veteran Era Artist category, which recognizes an artist who rose to prominence before 1979. Ready to receive news of his upcoming induction , Anderson reflected on the inclusion of many of his friends, from Ernest Tubb and Minnie Pearl to George Jones and Merle Haggard, already inducted into the Hall. “Just to have the opportunity to be among that kind of greatness, words really can't explain to me how important that is,” he said. “Music is what has kept me going since I was a kid.”

Finally, pioneering rock and country guitarist James Burton will join the Recording and/or Touring Musicians Category. Burton — No. 24 on Rolling rocklist of the 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time — was a longtime member of Elvis Presley's TCB band. He also toured with John Denver and recorded with everyone from Gram Parsons to Johnny Cash. Burton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007.

Keith, Anderson and Burton will be officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the Medallion Ceremony in October.