Keith Whitley

Keith Whitley ( born July 1, 1955 in Ashland, Kentucky; † May 9, 1989 in Nashville, Tennessee; actually Jackie Keith Whitley ) was an American country musician.

Career

After Whitley has been discovered at the age of eight in a local talent show, a few years later he formed his first bluegrass band. This was discovered in 1970 by Ralph Stanley, whose concert Entourage was late.

Then Whitley worked for Stanley until he in 1984 with the album A Hard Fact To Follow attempted an unsuccessful entry into the country music scene.

The breakthrough achieved Whitley, 1986, with the album LA to Miami, which contained his first four hit singles Miami, My Amy, Ten Feet Away, Homecoming '63 and Hard Living. Two songs on the album were also known for cover versions of George Strait and Randy Travis. These were Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her ( Strait) and On The Other Hand ( Travis ), both reaching # 1 on the charts.

In 1988, Whitley was given a greater say in the production of his recordings at his record company RCA. From his then upcoming album Do not Close Your Eyes along with the title song reached the singles When You Say Nothing at All and I'm No Stranger To The Rain # 1 in the U.S. Billboard country charts. I'm No Stranger To The Rain brought him also a his first and only CMA Award.

On the promotional tour for his album LA to Miami Whitley learned the emerging country singer Lorrie Morgan know. They married in November 1986 and had a son, Jesse Keith Whitley (* 1987). Keith also adopted Morgan Whitney, Lorrie Morgan's daughter from his first marriage.

Alcoholism and death

Whitley suffered since his youth to strong alcohol problems. All therapeutic attempts failed. Whitley had the habit of drinking alone, which made it very difficult to assess his progress.

On the morning of May 9, 1989 Whitley was found by his brother motionless on his bed. He died of alcohol poisoning.

Discography (selection)

• Country Singer
• American musician
• Born in 1955
• Died in 1989
• Man