Music Metrics Vault

Keith Whitley

Data updated on 2024-12-11 08:53:35 UTC
Keith Whitley's legacy loomed large over the country music landscape of the '90s. A talented new country singer and songwriter, Whitley was just beginning to emerge as a superstar at the time of his death in 1989. Throughout the next decade, his reputation as both a performer and writer continued to grow, as other artists had hits with his songs and posthumous recordings climbed into the Top Ten.

Born and raised in Kentucky, Whitley began singing as a child, winning a talent contest at the age of four. When he was eight years old, he learned how to play guitar and within a year he was singing on a Charleston, WV-based radio station. Whitley formed his first band at the age of 13, playing nothing but straight bluegrass. A few years later, he formed the Lonesome Mountain Boys with his high school friend, Ricky Skaggs. The Lonesome Mountain Boys primarily played Stanley Brothers songs and soon became a popular attraction.

In the late '60s, Ralph Stanley was looking to re-form his band after the death of his brother and partner, Carter. He was so impressed with Whitley and Skaggs, he asked them to join his Clinch Mountain Boys group. The duo accepted the offer immediately and began appearing with the band in 1970. Whitley stayed with the Clinch Mountain Boys for two years, recording a total of seven albums, including 1971's Crying From the Cross, which was named the Bluegrass Album of the Year.

In 1973, Whitley left the group. For two years, he drifted through various other bands, including acts that played country, not bluegrass. He returned to the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1975 and stayed with them for another two years. During his second tenure with the band, he made five albums. In 1978, Keith joined J.D. Crowe's band the New South. Whitley recorded three albums with the New South between 1978 and 1982, which vacillated between bluegrass and straight country (the highlights of this era were re-released on CD as Sad Songs & Waltzes in 2000).

Whitley began a full-fledged solo career after leaving the New South in 1982. Signing with RCA Records, he released his debut album, Hard Act to Follow, in 1984. A record of pure honky tonk, it didn't attract much of an audience. The following year, he released L.A. to Miami, a more commercial affair which spawned the number 14 single "Miami, My Amy." After that single peaked early in 1986, he had three back-to-back Top Ten hits: "Ten Feet Away," "Homecoming '63," and "Hard Livin'." Late in 1986, he married Lorrie Morgan.

Although L.A. to Miami was a success, its slick production didn't please Whitley. In 1987, he recorded a follow-up to the record that sounded exactly the same as its predecessor. Unsatisfied with the musical direction of his new effort, Whitley convinced RCA to shelve the completed album and have him work on another record with a new producer, Garth Fundis. Don't Close Your Eyes was the result. Released in the spring of 1988, the album solidified Whitley's commercial standing. The first three singles from Don't Close Your Eyes -- "Don't Close Your Eyes," "When You Say Nothing at All," and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" -- were all number one hits.

Things may have been going smoothly on the surface for Keith Whitley, but behind the scenes he was being torn apart by alcoholism. On May 9, 1989, he suffered from a fatal case of alcohol poisoning; he was 34 at the time of his demise. Just before his death, he completed his fourth album, I Wonder Do You Think of Me. The record was released shortly after his death and its first single, which was the title track, reached number one, as did its follow-up, "It Ain't Nothin"; another single from the album, "I'm Over You," reached number three in 1990. During the '90s, RCA repackaged and re-released many of Whitley's recordings -- including several unreleased songs -- in various compilations. Lorrie Morgan recorded an electronic duet, "'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose," with her late husband in 1990; it peaked at number 13. In 1994, a tribute album to Whitley was released. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

409.7 million
Updated on 2024-12-11

Country

United States

Social media links

Monthly listeners

1,734,558

Followers

498,076

Top Cities

  1. United States
    49,875 listeners
  2. United States
    39,324 listeners
  3. United States
    34,010 listeners
  4. United States
    29,724 listeners
  5. United States
    30,377 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
When You Say Nothing at All
When You Say Nothing at All
89,433,434 3:44 1984-01-01
Don't Close Your Eyes
Don't Close Your Eyes
82,499,438 4:13 1984-01-01
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
I'm No Stranger to the Rain
43,750,545 3:35 1984-01-01
Miami, My Amy
Miami, My Amy
35,013,464 3:27 1984-01-01
I'm Over You
I'm Over You
34,765,070 3:03 1984-01-01
Somebody's Doin' Me Right
Somebody's Doin' Me Right
10,534,466 3:48 1984-01-01
Ten Feet Away
Ten Feet Away
7,315,740 3:22 1984-01-01
Brotherly Love
Brotherly Love
6,792,202 3:16 1984-01-01
Kentucky Bluebird
Kentucky Bluebird
6,757,652 3:40 1991-09-01
I'm Gonna Hurt Her On the Radio
I'm Gonna Hurt Her On the Radio
6,660,035 2:58 1990-01-01
Tell Lorrie I Love Her
Tell Lorrie I Love Her
5,611,473 3:01 1990-08-07
'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
5,545,746 3:32 1990-01-01
Til A Tear Becomes A Rose
Til A Tear Becomes A Rose
5,545,746 3:30 1984-01-01
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
5,000,015 2:27 1985-10-01
It Ain't Nothin'
It Ain't Nothin'
4,750,374 4:05 1984-01-01
Homecoming '63
Homecoming '63
4,183,690 3:01 1984-01-01
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
4,083,956 3:16 1984-01-01
Brother Jukebox
Brother Jukebox
3,073,646 2:47 1989-07-01
Between an Old Memory and Me
Between an Old Memory and Me
2,681,676 3:20 1989-07-01
Some Old Side Road - Remastered Single Version
Some Old Side Road - Remastered Single Version
2,516,010 3:28 1984-01-01
I Never Go Around Mirrors - Remastered
I Never Go Around Mirrors - Remastered
2,511,973 4:29 1988-05-30
On the Other Hand
On the Other Hand
2,202,925 3:12 1985-10-01
Joseph and Mary's Boy
Joseph and Mary's Boy
1,984,446 4:08 2024-04-29
Hard Livin'
Hard Livin'
1,853,387 2:56 1984-01-01
Sad Songs And Waltzes
Sad Songs And Waltzes
1,801,554 3:06 2000-09-12
Charlotte's In North Carolina
Charlotte's In North Carolina
1,667,774 2:60 1994-01-01
It's All Coming Back to Me Now
It's All Coming Back to Me Now
1,444,263 2:50 1988-05-30
To Be Loved By A Woman
To Be Loved By A Woman
1,399,725 4:08 2000-09-12
I Just Want You
I Just Want You
1,347,307 3:32 1994-01-01
Talk to Me Texas
Talk to Me Texas
1,331,004 3:32 1989-07-01
Dance With Me Molly
Dance With Me Molly
1,328,460 3:50 2000-09-12
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
Would These Arms Be In Your Way
1,274,526 3:13 1984-01-01
Wildwood Flower
Wildwood Flower
1,181,913 3:04 2005-04-19
Turn Me to Love
Turn Me to Love
1,082,620 3:28 1984-01-01
The Birmingham Turnaround - Remastered
The Birmingham Turnaround - Remastered
1,004,008 2:55 1988-05-30
Quittin' Time
Quittin' Time
979,661 2:55 1985-10-01
Honky Tonk Heart
Honky Tonk Heart
875,645 3:08 1988-05-30
(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy
(I've Always Been) Honky Tonk Crazy
860,311 3:10 2000-09-12
A Day In The Life Of A Fool - Single (2002 remaster)
A Day In The Life Of A Fool - Single (2002 remaster)
853,515 3:41 1988-05-30
Tennessee Courage
Tennessee Courage
753,431 4:00 1989-07-01
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
732,758 2:36 2005-04-19
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
731,188 3:03 1996-06-18
The Comeback Kid
The Comeback Kid
703,095 3:34 1994-01-01
Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With?
Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With?
655,186 2:57 2000-09-12
I Would Have Loved You All Night Long
I Would Have Loved You All Night Long
554,919 3:37 2000-09-12
Dream of a Miner's Child
Dream of a Miner's Child
542,146 2:24 2005-04-19
I Get the Picture
I Get the Picture
533,913 2:55 1985-10-01
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down - Remastered Single Version
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down - Remastered Single Version
524,452 2:47 2002-03-04
Backbone Job
Backbone Job
511,054 2:43 1991-09-01
Lucky Dog - Single Version
Lucky Dog - Single Version
504,596 1:59 1988-05-30
I've Got the Heart for You
I've Got the Heart for You
502,553 2:38 1985-10-01
If You Think I'm Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was a Kid)
If You Think I'm Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was a Kid)
467,619 2:40 1996-06-18
Heartbreak Highway
Heartbreak Highway
447,718 2:56 1989-07-01
I Want My Rib Back
I Want My Rib Back
445,487 2:58 1991-09-01
I'm Losing You All Over Again
I'm Losing You All Over Again
418,276 4:11 1996-01-05
I Never Go Around Mirrors
I Never Go Around Mirrors
411,482 3:19 2000-09-12
Where Did You Learn To Love Like That?
Where Did You Learn To Love Like That?
410,755 2:29 2000-09-12
That's Where I Want To Take Our Love
That's Where I Want To Take Our Love
394,082 3:15 1991-09-01
Flying Colors
Flying Colors
387,865 3:35 1988-05-30
Living Like There's No Tomorrow (Finally Got to Me Tonight)
Living Like There's No Tomorrow (Finally Got to Me Tonight)
385,664 3:29 1996-06-18
All I Ever Loved Was You
All I Ever Loved Was You
384,015 3:13 2005-04-19
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?
381,173 3:25 2000-09-12
That Stuff
That Stuff
380,353 3:22 1985-10-01
Lady's Choice
Lady's Choice
357,574 2:37 1989-07-01
Turn This Thing Around
Turn This Thing Around
296,679 3:30 1989-07-01
Memories Of Mother
Memories Of Mother
261,787 2:56 2005-04-19
My Deceitful Heart
My Deceitful Heart
248,951 2:17 2005-04-19
Don't Our Love Look Natural
Don't Our Love Look Natural
230,033 3:08 1996-06-18
Somewhere Between
Somewhere Between
209,369 4:15 2000-09-12
Poor Monroe
Poor Monroe
202,091 2:28 2005-04-19
A Hard Act To Follow
A Hard Act To Follow
180,631 2:37 1996-06-18
I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye
I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye
169,367 3:23 2000-09-12
Going Home
Going Home
158,946 3:57 1991-09-01
Long Black Limousine
Long Black Limousine
146,221 3:35 2000-09-12
If A Broken Heart Could Kill
If A Broken Heart Could Kill
137,734 3:06 1996-06-18
Sea Of Regret
Sea Of Regret
130,248 2:52 2005-04-19
Another Town
Another Town
128,603 2:28 2000-09-12
Girl From The Canyon
Girl From The Canyon
123,205 2:22 2000-09-12
Those Two Blue Eyes
Those Two Blue Eyes
118,673 2:01 2005-04-19
Daybreak In Dixie
Daybreak In Dixie
111,449 2:06 2005-04-19
Family Tree
Family Tree
92,669 3:03 2000-09-12
This Weary Heart You Stole Away
This Weary Heart You Stole Away
81,740 2:58 2005-04-19
Son Of Hobert
Son Of Hobert
81,396 2:50 2005-04-19
Lonesome River (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley) [Live]
Lonesome River (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley) [Live]
79,493 3:29 2012-11-18
You Win Again
You Win Again
68,839 0:56 1991-09-01
Don't Cheat in Our Hometown (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley)
Don't Cheat in Our Hometown (feat. Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley)
61,245 2:51 2012-11-18
Stone Walls and Steel Bars (feat. Marty Stuart & Keith Whitley) [Live]
Stone Walls and Steel Bars (feat. Marty Stuart & Keith Whitley) [Live]
48,677 1:23 2010-07-26
Would These Arms Be In Your Way - Remix
Would These Arms Be In Your Way - Remix
38,913 3:11 1991-09-01
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet
27,417 2:20 2004-01-01
Water Rolls High
Water Rolls High
27,068 1:27 2010-07-26
Take Me Back
Take Me Back
26,518 1:59 2004-01-01
Lonesome Mountian Boys' Radio Show / American Country Countdown Interview
Lonesome Mountian Boys' Radio Show / American Country Countdown Interview
25,356 1:10 1991-09-01
American Country Countdown Interview
American Country Countdown Interview
22,005 0:34 1991-09-01
Ralph Emery Interview
Ralph Emery Interview
20,542 0:42 1991-09-01
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Light at the End of the Tunnel
17,500 3:09 1996-01-05
Daddy Loved Trains
Daddy Loved Trains
15,473 3:01 1996-01-05
Tell Me Something I Don't Know
Tell Me Something I Don't Know
14,562 3:03 1996-01-05
Just How Bad Do You Wanna Feel Good
Just How Bad Do You Wanna Feel Good
12,506 2:56 1996-01-05
Wherever You Are Tonight
Wherever You Are Tonight
12,453 3:21 1996-01-05
Blind And Afraid Of The Dark
Blind And Afraid Of The Dark
11,464 3:59 1996-01-05
I'm Not That Easy to Forget
I'm Not That Easy to Forget
10,815 2:55 1996-01-05
A Christmas Letter
A Christmas Letter
10,468 3:41 1985-09-03
Buck
Buck
8,370 3:02 1996-01-05
Leave Well Enough Alone
Leave Well Enough Alone
8,289 3:45 1996-01-05
Rock Bottom
Rock Bottom
5,600 2:52 2004-01-01
My Main Trial Is Yet To Come
My Main Trial Is Yet To Come
4,897 2:37 2004-01-01
Till a Tear Becomes a Rose - Karaoke Version In the Style of Lorrie Morgan
Till a Tear Becomes a Rose - Karaoke Version In the Style of Lorrie Morgan
4,644 3:22 2010-12-04

New releases

The Essential Keith Whitley
The Essential Keith Whitley
2015-10-02
[RLG/Legacy]
Second Generation
Second Generation
2005-04-19
[Rebel Records]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
2003-09-09
[RLG/BMG Heritage]
RCA Country Legends
RCA Country Legends
2002-03-04
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
RCA Country Legends
RCA Country Legends
2002-03-04
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Sad Songs And Waltzes
Sad Songs And Waltzes
2000-09-12
[Rounder]
The Essential Keith Whitley
The Essential Keith Whitley
1996-08-12
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
The Essential Keith Whitley
The Essential Keith Whitley
1996-06-18
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Super Hits
Super Hits
1996-05-21
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Wherever You Are Tonight
Wherever You Are Tonight
1996-01-05
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
A Tribute Album
A Tribute Album
1994-09-27
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
A Tribute Album
A Tribute Album
1994-01-01
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
Kentucky Bluebird
Kentucky Bluebird
1991-09-01
[RCA/Legacy]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1990-08-07
[RCA Records Label]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1990-01-01
[RLG/BMG Heritage]
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
I Wonder Do You Think of Me
1989-07-01
[RCA/Legacy]
Don't Close Your Eyes
Don't Close Your Eyes
1988-05-30
[RCA Records Label Nashville]
L.A. to Miami
L.A. to Miami
1985-10-01
[RCA/Legacy]
A Christmas Letter
A Christmas Letter
1985-10-01
[Royalhaven Music / Cookhouse Music / RCA]
16 Biggest Hits
16 Biggest Hits
1984-01-01
[RLG/Legacy]
16 Biggest Hits
16 Biggest Hits
1984-01-01
[RLG/Legacy]