Jackie Keith Whitley was born July 1, 1954, in Sandy Hook, Ky. Learning to play guitar at age 6, he appeared on Buddy Starcher's regional TV show at age 8 and formed a bluegrass band with his friend Ricky Skaggs a few years later. When they were 15, Skaggs and Whitley were asked to play a local show when Ralph Stanley's entourage was running late. When Stanley heard them, he hired them for his band. They stayed for two summers until Whitley went to work for Carl Jackson in 1972. By 1974, he was back with Stanley, this time singing lead vocals. By then, Whitley had already survived a car crash (at 120 mph) and driving a car off a cliff into a river.
In 1978, he joined J.D. Crowe and the New South but finally chased a career in country music, which had always been closer to his heart. RCA issued a single, "Turn Me to Love" in 1984 with Patty Loveless singing harmony. At that time, Whitley's excessive drinking made him unreliable, but it did give him a hardened, honky-tonk voice, and he then only needed the right song.
In 1986, he married rising star Lorrie Morgan and cracked the Top 20 for the first time with "Miami, My Amy." After three Top 10 singles ("Ten Feet Away," "Homecoming '63" and "Hard Livin'"), Whitley finally reached No. 1 in 1988 with "Don't Close Your Eyes." He continued his streak with "When You Say Nothing at All" and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain." But in the midst of his newfound success, he died from alcohol poisoning at his home on May 8, 1989.
Nevertheless, Whitley's music remained in the spotlight for several years beyond that. His next two singles reached No. 1, and a duet with Morgan peaked at No. 13 in 1990. "Brotherly Love," a duet with Earl Thomas Conley, reached No. 2 in 1991. Morgan organized Keith Whitley - A Tribute Album in 1994 which included several previously unreleased Whitley tracks. Released as an unlikely single, Alison Krauss & Union Station's version of "When You Say Nothing at All" surprisingly reached No. 3 on the country charts, introducing Krauss -- and Whitley -- to listeners who had only discovered country music in the early 1990s. The song has since become a wedding standard.
Thanks to you and your site for the support.Here's a few comments from Keith's brother Dwight.
Dwight Whitley honored Kentucky Bluebird by attending the Keith Whitley Tribute Concert on June 25, 2009 at The Adkins-Caudill Performing Arts Center in ....Sandy Hook.., ..KY..... Dwight was invited on stage to sing and say a few words about the event and about his late brother, Keith. We have posted some of Dwights' comments for you to read.
”There will be no singing from me. I've hollered so loud that I've lost my voice. But I do want to say a few words here. This is in the Top 5 concerts I've seen in my life and one of the best bands I've ever heard. I opened for Waylon Jennings in ....California.... and that was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I've seen Bob Seger, Keith Whitley, John Whitley (my son), who was my inspiration and when I lost him I lost the interest in playing music.
These two guys, Joe & Randy, played with me on my first CD and I love them. They're great guys. Jason back here and Josh, I'd never heard Josh play till tonight. There was talk one time of doing a movie of Keith Whitley and this man could do it. I see Keith in him. I hear Keith in him. I've never heard anybody come close to Keith until I heard this guy sing tonight. I hollered too loud during the first show so I won't be able to sing tonight but I really have enjoyed this.
I think Jason is right that this should be an annual thing. I was talking to my good friend, David Brickey who organized the Keith and Randy Whitley motorcycle ride which starts tomorrow and he said 'I'm going to spread the word on what people have missed tonight'. I'm lucky. Randy called me a while back and said, 'you gotta be there', I said, 'Randy, I've just started back to work and I've gotta work'. The good Lord played a part in this because I wasn't called out tonight to work so I could come and see this show and I'm so thankful.
Thanks for adding us. Back in the day was a huge Whitley fan. Love his music to this day. No Stranger to the Rain is our favorite. Only makes you wonder how far he would have gone with it all. He is forever missed.
Please play and share "Silhouette". It was written for my step-mom who recently died of cancer at age 59. I have entered a contest with this song and I need you to post this tape player on any and every website you can think of. If you don't see a tape player app here for "Silhouette", please visit the site. Also, let me know what you think of my new tunes. Thanks, -Jawz
I am truly honored to be on this mans friend list. I am only one of many honored souls in the world! I absolutely love this mans voice! One honored friend, Brad.
Today is love u day. Send this to everyone you love. Whether it s real love or friend love. Ur so very loved if you get 4 back. Did Anyone Ever Tell You How Important You Make Others Feel Somebody out here is Smiling About Love that is so Real Did Anyone Ever Tell You that Many Times When They were Sad Your E-mail (and chats) made Them Smile a bit In Fact It made Them Glad For the Time You Spend Sending Things And Sharing whatever You Find There are No Words to Thank You But Somebody, Thinks You re Fine Did Anyone Ever Tell You Just How Much They Love You Well, My Dearest Friend Today I am Telling You Yes that is one of my favorite too, thanks, pj
Online Now!
"Thanks for the add!
