The legendary Toby Keith, who died in February, is set to be posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

This honor is considered the highest in country music, with new members elected annually by an anonymous panel of industry leaders selected by the Country Music Association.

The announcement was made by Sarah Trahern, CMA’s CEO, during a news conference at the Hall of Fame’s Rotunda. Trahern expressed regret that Keith was not informed of his induction while he was alive.

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“My heart sank that Tuesday afternoon, knowing that we had missed the chance to inform Toby while he was still with us,” Trahern said. She added, however, that she was certain Keith would be “smiling down on us.”

Keith, already a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, publicly announced his stomach cancer diagnosis in 2022. Despite his illness, he continued to perform, even playing shows in Las Vegas virtually until his death.

The induction ceremony for the new members will take place during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Oct. 20. Singer John Anderson and guitarist James Burton will also be inducted.

Read more at CNN.