Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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WHITLEY, Keith

(b Jesse Keith Whitley, 1 July 1955, Sandy Hook KY; d 9 May 1989) One of most distinctive and influential country singers of late '80s, high esteem for him not offset by his his sad, introspective lyrics and vocal delivery nor early death from alcohol abuse. Though he came from a Kentucky bluegrass background, he made a major impact as a contemporary honky-tonk performer. A child star, he guested on the Buddy Starcher Show on WCHS TV show, Charleston WV '62. He met Ricky Skaggs '68; they formed the Kentucky Mountain Boys playing in Stanley Brothers' style. Ralph Stanley heard them and invited Skaggs and Whitley to join his Clinch Mountain Boys '71-2; they made several albums with Stanley as well as duet albums. Whitley went on to form New Tradition, Country Store and other local bluegrass bands; rejoined Clinch Mountain Boys '74-8; then joined J.D. Crowe and the New South '78-83 for several albums. He moved to Nashville '83, signed to RCA as a solo and struggled with minor country hits '84-5, making top 10 with 'Ten Feet Away' '86, the same year he married country singer Lorrie Morgan. He recorded several songs that later became big hits for Randy Travis, George Strait etc and finally gained his own biggies with 'Don't Close Your Eyes' '88, the first of four consecutive chart-toppers. Known as something of a private drinker, just as he was making his mark, he died following a private drinking binge. His record sales took off with posthumous no. ones 'When You Say Nothing At All', 'I'm No Stranger To The Rain', 'I Wonder Do You Think Of Me', 'It Ain't Nothin' '88-90. Duet ''Til A Tear Becomes A Rose' with Morgan won CMA award '90, the following year duet 'Brotherly Love' with Earl Thomas Conley was nominated. Quality recordings continued to surface after his death, some just from song demos with new studio backing. He wa a major influence on young newcomers Daryle Singletary, Doug Supernaw, etc. Albums Don't Close Your Eyes '88, I Wonder Do You Think Of Me '89, Kentucky Bluebird '91, Greatest Hits '92 all big hits; others incl. A Hard Act To Follow '84, LA To Miami '85, The Essential '96 all on RCA; Wherever You Are Tonight '95 on BNA; A Tribute To The Stanley Brothers '71 on Jalyn and Second Generation Bluegrass '72 on Rebel both with Skaggs.