Establishing himself as a lead singer in bluegrass music, Whitley moved to Nashville in 1983 and began his recording career there. Rowe, Norman. 4:54 pm. Lorrie Morgan, with creative control and license to Whitley's namesake, recorded her voice alongside Whitley's, and released it as a single, which rose to No. Whitley became lead singer for Stanley in 1974. To this day I still listen to keith. What Im wondering is. I still am on tour these days. NASHVILLE, Tenn. Keith Whitley, who battled a drinking problem while becoming one of the brightest young stars in country music, was found dead at his home here Tuesday of accidental acute. Whitley is known for his neotraditional brand of country popularized by hit artists such as George Strait and Randy Travis. May 10, 2019 @ May 8, 2019 @ February 2, 2020 @ I think Keith Whitley may be one of the biggest What-ifs in country music history. Coming from a bluegrass background, his lonesome singing style was influenced by the Stanley Brothers & Lefty Frizzell. Lorrie Morgan knew the risks of entering a romantic relationship with Whitley. He was 33. Have to credit Pandora for introducing me to Darrell Scotts recording, which led to learning he was the songwriter. His marriage to Lorrie Morgan would also help settle him, at least to some extent. No argument there. His neotraditional music was described by 'Chicago Tribune' as "the most soulful of all country music." Whitley's music was distinct from the pretentious urban country music that was apparently gaining popularity at the time. 1:33 pm. But, pieces like this one are what grab my heart and stick with me. The truth rides in the heart not elsewhere. I got chills reading the card. Why would Keith Whitley drink himself to death when his career was hitting its stride, and he had so much to live for? Thank you so much for writing such a great article!! It was early May 1989. In 2019, Whitley's legacy to country music was celebrated on the 30th anniversary of his death. But then a criteria point would need to be added to future considerations, for those that may not have had a long career but were felt to have had a major influence. It was a tragedy what a voice! It doesnt matter how many #1 songs you had or how many sales you made it should be based on who you feel when a song comes on, how it moves you. Have heard Pattys version, too. Randy Travis and Keith opened the doors for all the acts of the 90s with there style and straightforward approach to real country music. He was hands down the best country singer I have ever heard. December 18, 2019 @ alcoholism is just that, the alcohol takes over and the person isnt able to control the impulsive behavior. It is a tragedy that still troubles Nashville's music community. 2:47 pm. If I have gone to someone s house and knowing that this person already has had drinking prob. The publishing of Keith Whitleys autopsy report put most of the rumors to bed, though they would re-emerge in subsequent years. On that day, he was scheduled to play golf with his brother-in-law, Lane Palmer, and it was he who found Whitley dead on his bed. May 9, 2019 @ 13 and won them 1990's CMA award for Best Vocal Collaboration as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. Gay, West Virginia, by Ralph Stanley who was 45 minutes late for a show due to a flat tire. "A country music love story of death, drinking and devotion". The question I have is What if through one way or another had Lane managed to resuscitate Keith to a point where he be transported by an ambulance to the hospital?, Ronald Stoner As a teen-ager, he played in Ralph Stanleys bluegrass band and later was lead singer for the country-bluegrass band J.D. 1 in 1988 with "Don't Close Your Eyes." He continued his streak with his well-known song "I'm No Stranger to the Rain," but just as he had begun to have some success, he died. I did so many crazy things while drinking., Whitley had just recorded an album in Nashville, to be released in the fall, said Brenna Davenport-Leigh, spokeswoman for his record label, RCA Records. About 2-3 years old when his dad died. Keith Whitley AKA Jackie Keith Whitley Born: 1-Jul - 1955 Birthplace: Ashland, KY Died: 9-May - 1989 Location of death: Goodlettsville, TN [1] Cause of death: unspecified Remains: Buried, Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville, TN Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Country Musician Nationality: United States They were married in November 1986 and had their only child, a son, Jesse Keith Whitley in June 1987. 2:39 pm. What sticks with us is the sentiment. endstream endobj 57 0 obj <>>>/Filter/Standard/Length 128/O(xn?!b}D>,)/P -1340/R 4/StmF/StdCF/StrF/StdCF/U(1 9po )/V 4>> endobj 58 0 obj <><><>]/ON[75 0 R]/Order[]/RBGroups[]>>/OCGs[74 0 R 75 0 R]>>/OutputIntents 54 0 R/Pages 53 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 59 0 obj <>/ProcSet[/PDF/ImageB]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/Type/Page>> endobj 60 0 obj <>stream The greatest C(c)ountry singer of the modern era. I am the founder of the Down Home in Johnson City, Tn. I had never seen the entire note that Keith gave to Lorrie that Sunday afternoon he drove her to the airport. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The new album, titled Don't Close Your Eyes, was released in 1988, and the album sold extremely well. As a journalist, trying to balance recollections of past events can be very difficult. Ive gotten lucky to hang with him a few times and very cool guy who is a good musician in his own right, Jane Reynolds 57[M. I was honored to have gotten the gig. 7{l/22o89lAPcn-3s/$#mTW'@S[V,P8C3N8}kl_P YA\P`xR*)*gh]1|F]?8%I8_ From the moment Keith Whitley embarked on a music career, success followed closely behind. Whitley's Early Life. 9:41 pm. He had so much to live for at the time. May 9, 2019 @ JANE TEVES All I know is we lost a damn fine voice. She loved Keith so much. 11:27 am. She also kept his memory alive by releasing music that Whitley was able to record before his death. King Honky Of Crackershire These types of tributes, comments, recognition that Keith is receiving from major stars and 30 years after his death speaks volumes of his talent and influence. The only person responsible for an addict is an addict. In 2022, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[2]. For several years, it seemed like her every action or inaction, whether before Keiths death or afterward, was unfairly scrutinized and maligned. His firs The medical examiner said in his findings that Whitley died as a result of "drinking too much ethyl alcohol in too short a period of time." In addition to alcohol, his urine test also came out positive for cocaine and benzodiazepines, which may have contributed to his death. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Country music singer Keith Whitley, known for wrenching, honky-tonk-style ballads that embraced pain and joy, was found dead at his home Tuesday after overdosing on alcohol, officials said. 11:57 am. Whitley began his career there in 1970, performing in Ralph Stanley's band. . Trigger, that was a very well written take on Whitley. The detective handling the case also said that he had a large quantity of alcohol the previous night. I have seen the birth certificate and passport that shows he was born in 1954. The album was released posthumously, and the title song reached the No. During his tour to promote L.A. to Miami, he met and began a romantic relationship with country singer Lorrie Morgan. Whether truth or innuendo, its not fair to put that on Lorrie. We stil love Lorrie Morgans songs also. The first three singles from the album"When You Say Nothing at All," "I'm No Stranger to the Rain," and the title cutall reached No. I think that Whiskey Lullabye is a quintessential haunting country song, performed perfectly by Paisley and Krauss. Even as much as handcuffing herself to him at night so he couldnt sneak a drink or other things (like mouth wash). All I could tell people is to balance out the different perspectives and come to their own conclusion. +c|kc)1W7a@n< _8 TXMUSICJIM NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Country music singer Keith Whitley, known for wrenching, honky-tonk-style ballads that embraced pain and joy, was found dead at his home Tuesday after overdosing on alcohol, officials said. Jackie Keith Whitley (July 1, 1954 May 9, 1989) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Saturday, June 27, 1998. His son is Jesse Keith Whitley. His pre existing depression made it harder for him to quit. 11:43 am. 10:25 am. When it comes to when Lorrie opened the card, the recollection she gave in the interview I cited was weeks removed from when it happened, while her biography was many years after. Tank. , Stambler, Irwin, and Grelun Landon (2000). Vern Gosdin needs to be nominated as well. If I hadnt stopped drinking, I dont think Id be alive today. Whitleys voice was stunning in several of his songs. May 9, 2019 @ Kinda like Lexington claiming Stapleton since He was born there. "Singer Keith Whitley's Memory Alive Through Songs, Love in Home Town". Your articles about Keith are much-appreciated. I realize that I am in the minority on that opinion. Whitleys latest album, Dont Close Your Eyes, has had three No. "On the Other Hand" was pitched to Whitley before Randy Travis released the song as a single and when Whitley's version wasn't released as a single, Travis released his in 1986, as did George Strait with "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her". I was on pins and needles when he was on the road.. It was an absolute tragedy. TilBillyHill Whitley moved to Nashville in 1983 and soon signed a record deal with RCA. ), Diana Clark The words of his card/note to her reminded me of it. My husband and I loved Keiths music and his songs. Verns prime years spent on underfunded independent labels until his big break in the late 80s and unfortunate health issues began only a few years after his big break. Gone to soon!! The two had coffee and were planning a day of golf and lunch, after which Whitley planned to start writing songs for him and Lorrie Morgan to record when she returned from her concert tour. Which he should of thought of anyway. She might have just been saving it for that moment anyway. [10][11][12][13][14] He was born in 1954 per his birth certificate and passport, but RCA and his grave marker erroneously recorded his birth year as 1955.[15][16]. 10:59 am. I just dont see him quite at the level of the other guys. Then in 2010, the accusations against Charles Harlan became even more severe, with the doctor being blamed for numerous botched autopsies resulting in false murder convictions, including a man convicted for stabbing and murdering his cousin, when the deceased died after having a seizure and falling on a glass table. Kat Harper Did Louisa have a hospital in 54? I never made it to the legendary Down Home. You can handle it, Stanley would say to him. Thanks again for writing this terrific article!!! This is a rare case where I prefer a recording by someone other than the songwriter. In a week, Lorrie would be releasing her debut album on RCA Records, Leave The Light On, and had tour dates booked to promote the new release. In an interview last October, he said his heavy drinking had nearly killed him and that he had quit in 1987. I have a hat with Keith Whitley signature. TilBillyHill Hes been touring, she said. I feel in my own heart I kept Keith alive a lot longer because I was there all the time. People spotted in this. Success And Nothing Less. I hope his soul is at peace. If I hadnt stopped drinking, I dont think Id be alive today. His influence on a long line of country artists is undeniable. In 1969 he performed in a musical contest in Ezel, Kentucky, with brother Dwight on five-string banjo. Side note upon my first tour of the new CMHOF, I was glad to see that his Harley was on display, just as in a visit to the prior building in the 90s. In the card it said. Shortly thereafter, "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" also earned Whitley his first and only Country Music Association award as a solo artist and a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. During his career, Whitley released only two albums but charted 12 singles on the Billboard country charts, and 7 more after his death. As far as posthumously given anything based on what might have been, Im sure is not the way these awards are set up to be giving. The couple married that November, and their son, Jesse Keith Whitley, now a singer and songwriter himself, was born the following year. But with Lorrie Morgan out of town that first weekend of May, 1989, there was nobody there to tend to Whitley, or his raging alcoholism. "Whitley Fans Hate 'To See a Good Man Go To Waste". Forever yours faithfully. EXCEPT I would put Waylon Jennings instead of Jamey Johnson. May 9, 2019 @ Whitley's first solo album, A Hard Act to Follow, was released in 1984, and featured a more mainstream country style. I guess thats the debate with music or art. You cant live every part of your life for someone else. [citation needed] Whitley also played with J.D. I was working today; an upholsterer, in my garage and went to my CDs. To blame Lorrie for his alcoholism and accidental alcohol poisoning is cruel and preposterous. The Day Keith Whitley Died. To me, youre assuming a fact from a source that offers a vague description not directly confirming or refuting your assumption. On April 13, 2010, he announced that pre-production was set to begin again, pending investors.[18]. Keiths inner demons made it a leadpipe cinch that HE wouldnt be helping with that fight.unless it was to throw up his hands in defeat. However, it was the alcohol consumption that caused his demise. For example, although I believe Gene Watson and Vern Gosdin had a similar effect and they had better careers since they lived longer. December 16, 2021 @ Gill started writing "Go Rest High on That Mountain" after Whitley's death and finished the song four years later when he lost his brother due to a heart attack. Artist after artist will tell you of his influence on them or decision to pursue the businessfans are still loyal to the man whose voice cannot be matched in raw emotion and genuine country music. Despite his genre of choice being Southern rock, he feels that his father would approve of his music. You are sooooo right. "L.A. to Miami" did much better on the music charts, and Whitley had three top 10 hit songs. Kevin Smith He passed away on May 9, 1989, in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, U.S. What Happened To Keith Whitley? Im afraid to give it to the rest of these boys. Later Keith Whitley joined J.D. She would save it for the trip home. Jackie Keith Whitley was born on July 1, 1955 and grew up in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. George Jones and Keith Whitley have to be the 2 greatest. Because, booze or drugs, the substance is always going to call the shots. 7:45 pm. L.A. to Miami, released in 1985, would give him his first Top 20 country hit single, "Miami, My Amy". His body of work and the fact that it caused the resurgence in the popularity of country music 4 the 90s is why hes why hes being inducted to the Hall of Fame, BRYAN DENNIS In 2022, Whitley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Welcome to Autopsyfiles.org - Home Page - Autopsy Reports of . it so well. I was surprised to learn Paisley hadnt written Youll Never Leave Harlan Alice, though it explained the Kentucky location instead of his (and my) native WV. He was considered country musics next superstar. [7], Whitley lost his brother Randy in an October 1983 motorcycle accident, and his father Elmer.[3][5]. As he said thats impossible. While Whitley was working hard to achieve his own style, the songs he produced were inconsistent. About 30-45 minutes from Ashland. IMHO opinion he was the most gifted vocalist country music every produced. His singing was heavily influenced by Carter Stanley and Lefty Frizzell. 11:43 am. He had the best voice and used Exactly my thoughts. 6:12 pm, Hey Trigger, my name is Joe Tank Leach and I was Keiths first manager and ended up signing him with Norro at RCA. Here is the article: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/05/26/Lorrie-Morgan-talks-about-late-husband-Keith-WhitleyCountry-Music/5484612158400/. That woman worshipped the ground he walked on and did everything she could to save him. It is the equivalent of 20 1-ounce shots of 100-proof whiskey. I definitely see and respect your perspective. Terri Morrows But, I get that this literally is not something to make into a federal case. Lane was not there in the AM. Barry was on his way to his own house in Franklin, Tennessee, when he decided to stop by Waylon's to check on him, knowing how much he loved Keith. endstream endobj startxref Since that Tuesday in 1989, Keiths death has been my obsession. He would die not knowing the Grand Ole Opry had a surprise invitation awaiting him just two weeks later. Whitley survived his reckless teen-age years and battled his stubborn drinking problem to become one of country musics emerging stars, along with Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam. This site is the primary one I check for music news (well, news about music Im likely to like or encounter). Also Lorrie Morgans other husband Jon Randall wrote the song Whiskey Lullaby while going through a divorce with her. May 10, 2019 @ In the romantic part of my soul, Keith may have very well known what was to happen if he hadnt let go and let Lorrie carry on without him. I absolutely LOVED his voice and music, going back to his bluegrass days with Ralph Stanley. He also asked if he could take a major role in creating the songs and in production. worked keeping his memory, music and legacy alive and burning bright~his music will continue to influence future artists and upcoming country music fans for years to come. Posthumously, Whitley would score two more #1 songs and four Top 15 singles, and theres no reason to believe his output wouldnt have continued to reign on the country charts had he lived. Sometimes dying young inflates a persons legacy more so than the persons talent or contribution. Whitley sang with such emotion, you could feel that he felt was he was singing. She then heads off to Alaska of all places and he died shortly after. 10:32 am. Hope it makes sense. Still listen to him now and then. Whitley had been battling alcoholism since he was a teenager. But that shouldnt be the main reason for ones electability into the HOF. Keith Whitley, Lorrie Morgan, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs. It was so emotional. Crowe & the New South in the mid-1970s. ~(?=T-((aw68 'ht`iE323,>D_$Gc{dY:/BpT &YG@g It was like a ticking timebomb, Lorrie Morgan recalls. My view was coming from a different world conducting investigations with civil and/or criminal implications. Deborah Sturch In those days, if she had saved the note to read later, someone would have said she didnt value or appreciate his gesture; if she had read it on the flight out or early in the trip, someone would have said she just treated his card like opening everyday mail and bills instead of treasuring it and treating it as special. I agree on each one of them. Menu. Joe Tank we were living in Kingsport in the late 80s and early 90s right when I first started listening to Keith Whitley. The Ashland, Kentucky native received his start in country music during high school as a member of Ralph Stanleys bluegrass band, The Clinch Mountain Boys, right beside long time friend Ricky Skaggs.

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