He passed away on May 9, 1989, in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, U.S. What Happened To Keith Whitley? He left the medical examiners post in 1994 after three separate women accused him of sexual harassment. Whitley released his first solo album titled "Hard Act to Follow" in 1984 but didn't have much success. Lorrie Morgan knew the risks of entering a romantic relationship with Whitley. The greatest C(c)ountry singer of the modern era. The couple married that November, and their son, Jesse Keith Whitley, now a singer and songwriter himself, was born the following year. the pistolero 2:39 pm. Will this tribute to Keith ever be televised?? Trigger, 3. His influence on a long line of country artists is undeniable. She says in the interview, When I read the card on the way back home, I felt like he was trying to tell me something. Im not saying that the book is wrong or the article is right. Whitley was found fully clothed in his bed by his brother-in-law, Lane Palmer, said Lt. Harry Bell of the Goodletsville Police Department just north of Nashville. In 2022, Whitley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The two drank coffee together, and were planning to play a round of golf and have lunch that day. principles of language teaching ppt; best hvac systems 2020 consumer reports If I hadn't stopped drinking, I don't think I'd be alive today. Vern Gosdin needs to be nominated as well. But bottom line, he was an addict. 1 hits, and it seemed like his music career was right on track. Good thoughts Wayne and I dont completely disagree with your stance. , "Country Music Star Keith Whitley Dead at 33". During his career, Whitley released only two albums but charted 12 singles on the Billboard country charts, and 7 more after his death. May 8, 2019 @ May 9, 2019 @ The woman was not his nursemaid or his substance abuse counselor; she was his wife. Why dont you guys give yourselves a break and just do the right thing? And loved ones like Lorrie wind up collateral damage fighting in a war they were never meant to win. One theory was that Whitley was a conflicted as a staunch traditionalist who was being asked to record more commercially applicable material, or was feeling the pressure of stardom. (That said, I see the irony that I might have brought up a potential critique no one lobbedmuch as I thought I saw a post taking issue with her not reading until flight home). He was also known for making gruesome remarks to families and colleagues about deceased individuals, and reportedly kept body parts in jars around his office, home, and rental property. 78 Comments. , Edwards, Joe. But your comment, I like to think Keith would have been the leading force for traditional country music into the mid to late 90s with Strait, Jackson, and Travis. makes the very assumption I referenced in my post. Who is his sons mother? , Jinkins, Shirley. JANE TEVES She really caught hell for a while no matter what she dideven recording the song Autumns Not That Cold drew ire as if she was making a statement about losing Keith. [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]. However, his career was cut short when he died at only 33 years old. May 9, 2019 @ His talent and voice still reign over dying at an early age. No doubt Keiths vocals put him in rareified air. 7:09 am. It was himself that Whitley would regularly put in harms way. Though Whitley had cleaned up in 1987 after numerous close calls from drinking to excess, the sobriety lasted about six months before he fell back off the wagon once again, which could not have been a surprise to anyone. I have said my piece!!! Whitley, Jones, Don Williams, Randy Travis, , Jamey johnson and Vern Gosdin. As a journalist, trying to balance recollections of past events can be very difficult. Deborah Sturch etc. If I were to make an inference from this article, I would lean toward the reading on the return flight NOT being the first time she read the card and note. Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Saturday, June 27, 1998. Sorrygot a paragraph out of place in cutting/pasting. In 1994, Whitley's widow, Lorrie Morgan, organized several of Whitley's friends in bluegrass and some of the big names in country at the time to record a tribute album to Whitley. Examples include I Never Go Around Mirrors, Honky Tonk Heart, and the entirety of the Somewhere Between album (which was later re-released under the title Sad Songs and Waltzes. Palmer left at approximately 8:30 a.m.,[9] asking Whitley to be ready to leave within an hour. I do think Waylon is at the same level. His first Top 20 Country Hit single, "Miami, My Amy", was released in 1986. The official cause of death was acute ethanolism (alcohol poisoning). This project was in development hell for several years, and was halted in late 2006 also, after difficulties with casting and funding. Nashville Babylon - Keith Whitley STRANGE DEATH - Local News Report 5-9-1989 New Era Mysteries & Conspiracies 3.49K subscribers 58K views 3 years ago https://www.facebook.com/cjstack30/po. , Green, Barbara. 3:23 pm. But, it was a great show even from the nosebleeds of Thompson-Boling arena in Knoxville. Keith is the best vocalist period in all genres of Music combined at any point and time. Will be passing through Tri-Cities later today. He was hands down the best country singer I have ever heard. think maybe he was born in Ashland hospital? Keith has found dead on a Tuesday after overdosing on alcohol at his home according to some sites. 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 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." Whitley is known for his neotraditional brand of country popularized by hit artists such as George Strait and Randy Travis. The singers blood alcohol level was reported to be .47, or almost five times the amount to be declared intoxicated in Tennessee. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Thats the important thing here. His gravestone reads, "Forever yours faithfully" (part one) and "His being was my reason" (part two). Where I got the note to Lorrie was an article posted by UPI on May 26th, 1989 where Lorrie was interviewed. She would save it for the trip home. Couldnt win the battle he would never win the war so sad brill artist, Barbara McCurry She also kept his memory alive by releasing music that Whitley was able to record before his death. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Whitley grew up in nearby Sandy Hook, Kentucky. You think she would have stayed home..it is a shamesuch talent is gone.ioved all of his songs..i even sing a few of his songs..he was awesome.when a Dr tells your not to leave someone side you do not do it.. Now thats some big bullshit. A little jealous of those who went to ETSU for having Carter Fold and Down Home nearby. Associated Press "Whitley Just Getting Started Despite 18-Year Music Career". The UPI article quotes her as referring to when she read the note on the return flight. From the moment Keith Whitley embarked on a music career, success followed closely behind. Here is the article: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/05/26/Lorrie-Morgan-talks-about-late-husband-Keith-WhitleyCountry-Music/5484612158400/. Terri Morrows I realize that I am in the minority on that opinion. I think the interview is pretty clear when she opened the card, but I agree theres also some ambiguity there. Dear Lord, he drank hairspray?! Ill be listening to the 3 hour Keith Whitley tribute that Bobby Bones has planned on his radio show in the morning. He had the love of a good woman, a gift from God in his singing, fame, money and children and still it wasnt enough to be able to over come. TilBillyHill I had never seen the entire note that Keith gave to Lorrie that Sunday afternoon he drove her to the airport. Keiths manager Jack also stopped by keiths house sometime that morning and said keiths Bedroom door was locked and he could hear rustling sounds from inside but couldnt him to respond so he left. There will always be a special place in my heart for Keith Whitley, and Im sorry people will be deprived of his great talent, said his manager, Jack McFadden. 10:25 am. Jason Hannan He began singing as a child and he had learned how to play guitar by the time he was eight. The song was followed by three more hit songs: "Ten Feet Away", "Homecoming '63", and "Hard Livin'", The album also included "On the Other Hand" and "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her". No argument there. He moved to Nashville from Kentucky in the mid-1980s and landed a recording contract with RCA. But about the time everything would begin to unravel for Keith Whitley due to his drinking, he would hold it together enough to pull through. Whitley was found fully clothed in his bed by his brother-in-law, Lane Palmer, said Lt. Harry Bell of the Goodletsville Police Department just north of Nashville. He deserves it; his family should get to see it happen; its incredibly sad that his mom didnt get to after all the hard work she put in to keep his music alive and out there for old and new fans. Healthline states that having an alcohol concentration of 0.40 or higher may cause coma or death. [7], Whitley lost his brother Randy in an October 1983 motorcycle accident, and his father Elmer.[3][5]. His cenotaph is a larger than life sized statue of him which was commissioned by the Keith Whitley Foundation in his hometown of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, located on Kentucky Route 7 just north of the small town in which he grew up. "The Essential" contained the remastered and long since unavailable LP and Whitley's debut, the 6-Track "A Hard Act to Follow", and a scrapped song from 1986's "LA to Miami", "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight". Nancy E Brandon 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. 8:43 am. 6:06 am, I have read many comments stating its someone elses fault because they didnt stay with him 24/7, the fact is he had an addiction that took him away. Whitley had been an . I was 15 when he died and I still listen to him and love his music. He had just finished up his fourth studio album, I Wonder Do You Think of Me. 4:41 am. It is such a shame to lose such a great artist while so young. May 11, 2019 @ Gay, West Virginia, and happened to walk into the club they were playing and was blown away. May 8, 2019 @ I would just like to set the record straight for now and any future articles concerning how Keith got started in Nashville. I just dont see him quite at the level of the other guys. But what I dont think is true, respectfully, is that it somehow looks bad for Lorrie that she didnt open the note until she was returning. Coming from a bluegrass background, his lonesome singing style was influenced by the Stanley Brothers & Lefty Frizzell. As the Chicago Tribune reported at the time, When his death was first discovered, there was a widespread rumor that it was a suicide. A .47 alcohol level seemed exceptionally high, even for Keith Whitley. Hope it makes sense. The Country Music Hall of Fame has just opened a dedicated exhibit to the singer and songwriter, and the Hall of Fame also has plans for a big tribute concert to Whitley on May 9th. 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. 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 He was Keith & Lorries son. It didnt take a stretch of the imagination to believe a country music singer had drank himself to death, especially Keith Whitley. However, it was the alcohol consumption that caused his demise. Anyway, we know from two reports that she read and reflected on the card on the flight home. Dont get me wrong, Paisley and Krauss did a great job, but for me Jons version drips with pure authenticity. What Im wondering is. Within a week, Lorrie would release her first album on RCA Records,turn on the lightand had scheduled tour dates to promote the new re. Lockwood, Frank E. "Bikers, Sandy Hook Pay Tribute to Favorite Son". . I know the critiques tend to draw the most views and comments. On the morning of Tuesday, May 9th, 1989, Whitley spoke to his mother briefly on the phone, and then was visited by his brother-in-law Lane Palmer at his home in Goodletsville, Tennessee, near Nashville. Sturgill_Jennings77 However, he decided to leave the group in 1973, and from there, he worked with various acts and bands before embarking on a solo career in 1982. 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. His marriage to Lorrie Morgan would also help settle him, at least to some extent. Charles Harlan had also been giving false testimony in trials for many years. It included covers of Whitley's songs from artists such as Alan Jackson, Diamond Rio, and Ricky Skaggs. But she knew Whitley's addiction to alcohol was 'always a ticking timebomb.' Advertisement In her only interview since the budding country music superstar died of alcohol abuse May 9, she said. 9:36 am. Wow. I opened a show for Kieth in Fort Worth Tx. Critics regarded the album as too erratic. However, it seemed that he wasn't able to remain sober, as he died from alcohol poisoning. I found the Pinterest account and Keith Whitley stuff, but no birth certificate. 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 The album and single of the same name both did very well on the Billboard and R&R charts and "Super Hits" and "The Essential Keith Whitley" followed in 1996. Man, we are in need of some KWs today!! After Lorrie Morgan received news of Keith Whitleys death in May of 1989, and prepared to return to Nashville from her Alaskan promotional trip, she finally opened the card Keith had given her at the airport the last time the two saw each other. 7:57 am. 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. May 8, 2019 @ In response to an above comment, putting Whitley in the HoF wouldnt be because of a what if. The guy had plenty of massive hits, some of which have reached icon status, three classic albums to his name, and his relationship with artists such as Ricky Skaggs leading up to his solo career impacted the country music landscape far more than any hit song or album could do. Thats a fair response. He released his debut album 'A Hard Act to Follow' in 1984 & married . 1 singles since it was released last year, including last months Im No Stranger to the Rain., The title song was nominated by the Academy of Country Music for song and single record of the year. It was like a ticking timebomb, Lorrie Morgan recalls. An autopsy showed the singer died of an accidental overdose of alcohol, said Medical Examiner Charles Harlan. Two new songs were added to "Greatest Hits": The first, "Tell Lorrie I Love Her" was written and recorded at home by Whitley for Morgan, originally intended as a work tape for Whitley's friend Curtis 'Mr. 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. 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. Why would Lorrie Morgan leave Keiths Whitley side when he were to be alone. Patsy Cline became more wildly popular after her deathdoesnt change her status. The car wrecked, killing his friend and almost breaking Whitley's neck. Thanks for your part in creating great live music venues. 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. February 2, 2020 @ We stil love Lorrie Morgans songs also. What sticks with us is the sentiment. I thought as much as I loved Keith, surely that would help him. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. My work requires carefully analyzing what a person says. She loved him with everything she had. SImply saying that if we go down the road of inducting someone for what they would have been it is a slippery and subjective slope. Barry and Waylon sat down on the couch and watched the local news about Keith together for an . [citation needed] Stanley opened the door of the club and heard what he thought was the Stanley Brothers playing on a jukebox. Might have been ? That woman worshipped the ground he walked on and did everything she could to save him. May 16, 2019 @ May 9, 2019 @ , Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her, "Keith Whitley's family remembers their father, husband on 30th anniversary of his death", "Keith Whitley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Joe Galante are headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame", "Crowning Touch 'Red Hot + Country' Album Delayed To Include Crosby, Stills And Nash", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keith_Whitley&oldid=1125239740, Skinker, Chris (1998). I have seen the birth certificate and passport that shows he was born in 1954. TilBillyHill This site is the primary one I check for music news (well, news about music Im likely to like or encounter). 57[M. Assuming he means it, and it sounds from those comments that he does, thats impressive. 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. Lockwood, Frank E. "Singing in Rain". Thanks for commenting and offering your insight into this story. Good for him. Stanley wouldnt drink with any of the other members of the band, but he would with Whitley. 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. May 8, 2019 @ Besides his wife, Whitley is survived by a son and a daughter. 7{l/22o89lAPcn-3s/$#mTW'@S[V,P8C3N8}kl_P YA\P`xR*)*gh]1|F]?8%I8_ His death came as a shock to the music world, especially when his cause of death was finally revealed to the public. He would die not knowing the Grand Ole Opry had a surprise invitation awaiting him just two weeks later. I am the founder of the Down Home in Johnson City, Tn. I myself have been onstage with the biggest names in the business. Also, Garths recommendation means nothing. But in the aftermath of Keith Whitleys death, rumors swirled about the circumstances, some of which have continued to linger in popular lore to this day. My heart still goes out to his family. What if he had got to Keith in time. Whitley said that he stopped drinking in 1987 after he got married to singer Lorrie Morgan. Forever yours faithfully. For several years, it seemed like her every action or inaction, whether before Keiths death or afterward, was unfairly scrutinized and maligned. May 12, 2019 @ "Whitley Fans Hate 'To See a Good Man Go To Waste". To me, youre assuming a fact from a source that offers a vague description not directly confirming or refuting your assumption. Keith Whitley, Lorrie Morgan, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs. 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. It was his time.. We might be able to change the venue but we can never change the time..you can wonder the what if forever but things happen the way they are meant to.. Lorrie being there wouldnt have made a difference..not cold n cruel Just truth.. He had the best voice and used Keiths manager, Don Light, had warned her early on. 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. Just before he died, Jackie Keith Whitley had recorded his fourth solo album titled "I Wonder Do You Think of Me." I have always been a fan of Keith Whitley.. IMO Keith is one of the 3 greatest country singers ever, along with Jones and Gosdin. June 29, 2020 @ (505) 431 - 5992; man jumps off cruise ship after fight with wife I am not an after-the-fact fan but was one when he was living as I am sure you were too. Also Lorrie Morgans other husband Jon Randall wrote the song Whiskey Lullaby while going through a divorce with her. Crowe & the New South in the mid-1970s. At the time of his death, Whitley had just finished work on his third and final studio album, I Wonder Do You Think of Me. With your Gene Watson and Vern Gosdin comparisons, I would love to see them get into the hall of fame as well on their talent, career achievement and influence. May 9, 2019 @ Alcoholism is a terrible disease. I liked a lot of his songs, but was never a super fan. The album was released three months after his death, on August 1, 1989. 10:32 am. After that, Whitley was planning to write some songs to present to Lorrie Morgan after she returned from her album tour for the two to record together. May 9, 2019 @ The singers blood alcohol content was .477, almost five times the amount to be declared intoxicated in Tennessee, Harlan said. You can handle it, Stanley would say to him. This is a rare case where I prefer a recording by someone other than the songwriter. Lorrie Morgan jumped right out! After seeing Lorrie Morgan off, Keith Whitley began a weekend of heavy drinking. Keith also suffered from depression from an early age. All this talk about if only he hadnt been left alone, he needed a 24/7 watch, or if only someone had stopped him.. 6:05 pm, IMO, Whitleys greatness was really seen in all the songs that didnt get played on the radio. Keith finally reached No. studio apartments in dc under $1000. Whitley moved to Nashville in 1983 and soon signed a record deal with RCA. Overall, I am grateful for your article. Im not saying one is right or wrong, I really have no idea, and Lorrie may have no idea. I did so many crazy things while drinking.. if that is the criteria, then they better go back and assimilate a list of artists that would be candidates based on what they could have accomplished. Crowe and the New South. 0 About 30-45 minutes from Ashland. Thank you so much for writing such a great article!! Before Lorrie Morgan left on her flight, Keith Whitley gave her a greeting card with a note in it, but Lorrie would not open it at the time. On May 9, 1989, Whitley had a brief phone call with his mother and was later visited by his brother-in-law, Lane Palmer. He had so much to live for at the time. May 8, 2019 @ 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. We take the literal meaning and we recall the video, and Garths comments on what the song means to him, and the footage of people like Keith Whitely, Lane Frost, President Kennedy, and the Challenger astronauts). Remember, Keith achieved this level of influence with only 3 country albums and in less than 4 years as a country recording artist. TilBillyHill While Whitley was a teenager in Sandy Hook, he and his friends would pass the time drinking bootleg bourbon and racing their cars down mountain roads at dangerous speeds. 10:13 pm, I think he is the best singer of all time and we can learn from him and his songs even though he is not with us anymore dosent mean that we should not go on and not have fun doing what we all know and love doing sing together, Nick Brown We still listen to his records/Cds. Speaking to individuals about the legacy of Keith Whitley, from country music historians to superstars such as Garth Brooks, they believe there wouldnt have been the commercial resurgence in country music heading into the 90s like the genre experienced if it wasnt for Whitley. Whitley was once in a car whose driver attempted to round a curve at 120 miles per hour (190km/h). Do you have a direct link? 13 and won them 1990's CMA award for Best Vocal Collaboration as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. I hope he knows 30 years later people still get stirred up and sing along to his amazing sound. We really dont know, and the mind plays tricks on people. King Honky Of Crackershire EXCEPT I would put Waylon Jennings instead of Jamey Johnson. Whitleys latest album, Dont Close Your Eyes, has had three No. He honed his craft, learned to play the guitar, and already had a band at 13 years old.

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