Keith Whitley

Keith Whitley

(Singer, Songwriter, Guitar) 

• Given Name: Jesse Keith Whitley
• Date of Birth: July 1, 1955
• Place of Birth: Sandy Hook, Kentucky
• Married: 1. Kathy (div.), 2. Lorrie Morgan (m. 1986)
• Children: Jesse
• Date of Death: May 9, 1989

Keith Whitley, one of the new Honky-Tonk vocalists of the late 1980’s, was a native of Appalachian eastern Kentucky. He took an interest in country music as his parents had a good collection of country records. He made his TV debut about 1962, as a guest on Buddy Starcher’s early morning show on WCHS in Charleston, West Virginia. A few years later, he met Ricky Skaggs and they formed the East Kentucky Mountain Boys, re-creating a sound similar to the early efforts of the Stanley Brothers.

Ralph Stanley heard them in 1970 and invited them to guest with him and the Clinch Mountain Boys at a few festivals. They worked all summer with him in 1971 and 1972, gaining valuable experience. After the second summer, Keith and Jimmy Gaudreau formed a short-lived band and Ricky went on to work with other bands. That group disbanded and Keith rejoined Ralph Stanley’s band in 1974, remaining three years with the Clinch Mountain Boys.

Keith left the Stanley band in 1978 to play with J.D. Crowe and the New South, who played a progressive brand of Bluegrass. By 1984, Ricky Skaggs had hit it big in Nashville and Keith went there hoping for his own success. He got a contract with RCA Victor, but at first had only modest success.

In 1985, Keith reached the Top 15, then had three Top 10 singles in a row in 1986 and 1987.

After a couple more moderate successes, Keith had three No. 1 hits in a row starting in the spring of 1988.

Unfortunately, Keith’s recurring problem with alcohol caused his death at age 33. Songs Keith had recorded, including a duet with his wife Lorrie Morgan, were released after his death, resulting in posthumous hits. In 1990, Keith and Lorrie were voted CMA’s "Vocal Event of the Year" in 1990 and TNN/MCN’s "Vocal Collaboration of the Year" in 1991.

Recordings include:

• Miami My Amy
• Would These Arms Be in Your Way
• Don’t Close Your Eyes
• When You Say Nothing at All
• I’m No Stranger to the Rain
• I Wonder Do You Think of Me
• It Ain’t Nothin’
• ‘Til a Tear Becomes a Rose