Randy Travis is being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the country icon was on hand in Nashville on Tuesday morning to address the crowd at the Hall of Fame when this year’s class was announced.

Travis joins Charlie Daniels and Fred Foster in the Class of 2016. Daniels is being inducted in the Veteran category, and Foster is being included in the Recording/Touring Musician category. Travis is being inducted in the category of Modern Era, and in his first speaking public appearance since a devastating stroke in 2013, he was able to manage a quick “Thank you” to the crowd for the honor.

Travis’ wife, Mary, took the podium to address the industry tastemakers on hand for the big announcement, and in a heartfelt speech, she revealed for the first time just how close she had come to losing her husband in 2013.

“They really said there was no hope; go ahead and pull the plug,” she admits. “I went to his bedside and I said, ‘Baby, you’ve got to give me some more fight.’ And I knew that he had had a little talk with Jesus, because he squeezed my hand, and a little tear fell down,” she continues, choking back tears herself. “And I knew that he wasn’t through yet.”

“He’s a wonderful man; he’s a wonderful husband,” she adds. “I’m blessed beyond measure to get to walk beside him.”

Travis, Daniels and Foster will be formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame at a private Medallion Ceremony that will take place later in 2016.

Randy Travis Speaks At Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Press Conference