Their but by the grace of God go any of us. Thanks so much for posting.The article well written and very accurate. I am the founder of the Down Home in Johnson City, Tn. Though popular knowledge and much of the reporting on Keith Whitleys death said that he was 33-years-old at the time and was born in 1955, this information supplied by his label RCA Records and printed in many reports and history books turns out to be false. December 18, 2019 @ But that shouldnt be the main reason for ones electability into the HOF. He made a name for himself in the country music scene and recorded a third album, "Don't Close Your Eyes," which was released in 1988. Would you like to know what I wish for you? Jon Randalls version of the song blows Paisleys away, in my opinion. Please read this as being sent with the best of intentions and not to be a troll or to nitpick. It was early May, 1989. When Lorrie Morgan was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1984, she became the institutions youngest-ever invited member.Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan had been married for three years at that point, and they were one of country musics emerging power couples. I agree on each one of them. May 7, 2021 @ According to the autopsy performed on Whitley, he had an alcohol level of 0.47 in his bloodstream. On the morning of Tuesday, May 9th, 1989, Keith 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. I still am on tour these days. And by the way, his version of I never go around mirrors is absolutely stunning. I just didnt want to start a playlist with only a few songs to feature. Then in 2010, the accusations against Charles Harlan became even more severe, with the doctor being blamed for numerous botched autopsies resulting in false murder convictions, including a man convicted for stabbing and murdering his cousin, when the deceased died after having a seizure and falling on a glass table. If I hadn't stopped drinking, I don't think I'd be alive today. Whitley released three successful albums with J.D. 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 I agree with an earlier comment his take on I never go around mirrors is stunning. May 10, 2019 @ (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). May 10, 2019 @ May 3, 2021 @ Sometimes dying young inflates a persons legacy more so than the persons talent or contribution. Because, booze or drugs, the substance is always going to call the shots. Many times he had tried to overcome his alcoholism, but failed. He had a young child. He called an ambulance, which took Whitley to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. I do not believe the conspiracy theories that exist or that any foul play was involved. It was himself that Whitley would regularly put in harms way. It appeared from his history that like Hank and George, nobody could stop his ultimate self destruction. I agree that Lanes account on what happened is very questionable/biased. It was an absolute tragedy. The hope was finding success would finally help to settle Keith Whitley down, at least to some extent, as would hopefully his marriage to Lorrie Morgan in 1986. Still have her Something in Red CD, along with a few of Keiths. But, pieces like this one are what grab my heart and stick with me. Would you like to know what I wish for you? 3:23 pm. Wish they had made the movie of his life that was talked about at one point. I remain a fan of his music, and sad for him and his family and friends. Keith Whitley volunteered to take his wife and fellow performer Lorrie Morgan to the Nashville airport to see her off on a promotional trip she was taking to Alaska. 1:59 pm. Im afraid to give it to the rest of these boys. unquote. 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. The death of Keith Whitley felt like the next chapter in country musics history of some of its greatest stars ending life too early, from Hank Williams perishing in the back of his Cadillac on New Years Day 1953, to Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas dying in a plane crash in 1963, or any number of other high profile deaths taking country stars away during the height of their popularity. Paisleys remains my favorite. 7{l/22o89lAPcn-3s/$#mTW'@S[V,P8C3N8}kl_P YA\P`xR*)*gh]1|F]?8%I8_ He left the medical examiners post in 1994 after three separate women accused him of sexual harassment. Would he have faded sooner than expected in the early 90s like some other 80s artists did (Skaggs, Ricky Van Shelton, Holly Dunn, etc.) After Keith Whitley saw Lorrie Morgan off at the Nashville airport on that late spring day in 1989, he began a weekend of heavy drinking. She also kept his memory alive by releasing music that Whitley was able to record before his death. Acompanhe-nos: bonsall oaks development Facebook. He had so much to live for at the time. It wasnt just what Whitley accomplished before he passed away that left such a gaping hole in the heart of country music, its what many expected him to accomplish in the coming years. That didn't stop the singer from releasing a second album the next year. Brother-in-law Lane Palmer left Whitleys Goodletsville residence at approximately 8:30 a.m., planning to return an hour later for the golf excursion. In the book, Morgan goes into some fairly lurid details of Keith Whitleys life and death, including accusations of infidelity, and how she couldnt even trust Whitley around alcohol-based toiletries or beauty products due to his addiction, even having to tie his legs to hers at night so he wouldnt sneak out of bed to drink, and how she would have to sometimes accompany him when he used the bathroom to make sure he wouldnt guzzle something on the counter or beneath the sink. He was an amazing singer who could touch your soul with his lyrics, I wish it had been a different outcome because he was on his way to becoming a country ledgend and in some aspects in my mind he is. The bluegrass legend was blown away. 9:59 am. It hurts to think about what might have been. 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. His debut album was undoubtedly his breakthrough and spawned . Have to credit Pandora for introducing me to Darrell Scotts recording, which led to learning he was the songwriter. In detail he almost died 9x of the same thing previously before the final time. Keith had asked me after a show one night if I thought I could maybe help him get a record deal. 3:04 pm, Hello Trigger. 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. Joe Tank we were living in Kingsport in the late 80s and early 90s right when I first started listening to Keith Whitley. Verns prime years spent on underfunded independent labels until his big break in the late 80s and unfortunate health issues began only a few years after his big break. The lineup includes Darryl Worley, Garth Brooks, son Jesse Keith Whitley, Joe . 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." Write a request for the autopsy report. His body was found at his home less than a month after his most recent single, "I'm No Stranger to the Rain," held the No. May 9, 2019 @ Though it was her debut record, Lorrie was already well-known and revered in country music, and had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for half a decade as the institutions youngest-ever invited member. I was 9 when KW passed away, but what really stands out to me was about 15 years ago I was sitting in my truck playing KWs When You Say Nothing At All, as the song was playing a young lady walks by my truck stops and looks at me and says Who is that trying to sing Allison Krausss song? She had no idea who Keith Whitley was and it doesnt help when radio stations these days will play the Allison Krauss version and never the original. October 19, 2022 @ Editors notes: Country History X primarily lives here on Saving Country Music, on YouTube (see below and subscribe), and is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Anchor. I do agree with you that with Keiths short career, his main case is going to have to be focused on his one in a million voice and ultimately his influence on the 90s stars. October 23, 2020 @ Furthermore, his continued posthumous influence is undeniable. Im not saying one is right or wrong, I really have no idea, and Lorrie may have no idea. May 8, 2019 @ The album was released posthumously, and the title song reached the No. TilBillyHill Whitley left the New South in 1982 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1983 in hopes of launching a solo career. I liked a lot of his songs, but was never a super fan. It was himself that Keith Whitley would regularly put in harms way.Lorrie Morgan recalls, quote, It was like a ticking timebomb. 7:57 am. He said at the time, quote, I was drinking and wondering what I was going to do. He admitted his problem in an interview, wherein he said, "It was a matter of life and death. All this talk about if only he hadnt been left alone, he needed a 24/7 watch, or if only someone had stopped him.. He needs to be in the Hall. 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. He was considered country musics next superstar. Before Lorrie Morgan left on her flight, Keith Whitley gave her a greeting card with a note in it. As they say the rest is history. Several comments mentioned his I Never Go Around Mirrors performanceto me it was legendary. May 2, 2021 @ Convict charlie As evidenced by my posts, I check SCM periodically, sometimes just to see whats up, and sometimes when theres something I imagine youll cover. The blood screen showed traces of Diazepam and Nordiazepam. Also Lorrie Morgans other husband Jon Randall wrote the song Whiskey Lullaby while going through a divorce with her. Though hired as a guitarist, it was Whitleys singing that really made him stand out, and soon he was the lead vocalist for the Clinch Mountain Boys. He had the best voice and used All of this information only helped to fuel conspiracy theories about the circumstances surrounding Whitleys passing. If I hadnt stopped drinking, I dont think Id be alive today. That is why despite the short length of Keith Whitleys career, he considered a strong contender for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the coming years. With Keith that wasnt the case. He tried CPR on a water bed . It felt like a piece of that era was missing with Whitley not being a part of it. "I thought everybody had to drink to be in this business," Whitley said in an. May 2, 2021 @ He always pays respect to the greats of yesteryear. December 16, 2021 @ I knew Paisley hadnt written it, but not that one of the songwriters recorded it (or could be found in videos playing it). Photo by Associated Press Spokane, Washington Est . Im sorry for the loss of Mr. Whitley and I hope his family is well. Lorrie Morgan also called into question some of the specifics of how Keith Whitley was discovered on the day he died. All I know is we lost a damn fine voice. Influence, impact, and significance can be subjective and do not always equate with popularity (#1s, album sales, awards, charted singles or records). Dear Lord, he drank hairspray?! However, it seemed that he wasn't able to remain sober, as he died from alcohol poisoning. My work requires carefully analyzing what a person says. 25 Feb/23. I think one of the many unfortunate things about Keiths passing is he never got to tell his story in his own words like other artists do when they age. Trig Im loving these pods love that theyre the perfect length too which is something some pods never quite nail down. May 10, 2019 @ 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. 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. TilBillyHill He would die not knowing the Grand Ole Opry had a surprise invitation awaiting him just two weeks later. Stanley discovered the boys when he blew a tire in Ft. Whitley moved to Nashville in 1983 and soon signed a record deal with RCA. It would be one of many close calls for Whitley, including driving his own car off a 120-foot cliff and into a frozen river, walking away that time with a broken collar bone, lucky to be alive. In Lorries book, page 201 states she opened the letter as soon as the plane was in the air. Thank you so much for writing such a great article!! I definitely see and respect your perspective. I realize that I am in the minority on that opinion. 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. 11:12 am. As he said thats impossible. 1:33 pm. Released right before the neotraditional movement that would sweep country music in earnest on the backs of guys like Randy Travis and George Strait, A Hard Act To Follow was deemed to be too country. She would save it for the trip home. However Lorrie Morgan and the Whitley family have never publicly disputed the finding that alcohol poisoning was responsible for Keith Whitleys death. it so well. 7:35 am. Enjoyed your article sent to me by an old buddy today. Induct him already. My Keith Whitley records are some of my most prized possessions. why sidereal astrology is wrong. Tank. Coming from a bluegrass background, his lonesome singing style was influenced by the Stanley Brothers & Lefty Frizzell. It was a tragedy what a voice! I think the interview is pretty clear when she opened the card, but I agree theres also some ambiguity there. Those 3 had a soul and emotion to their voices that could strike a nerve that others couldnt. JANE TEVES The actual album consisted of only 8 songs. It didnt take a stretch of the imagination to believe a country music singer had drank himself to death, especially Keith Whitley. May 8, 2019 @ Lane wont talk about it and I am not so sure they want the entire story told. May 7, 2021 @ I would of busted door or something. Will do, thanks! If you watch the video Nashville Babylon-Keith Whitley Strange Death you can watch it first being announced. Maybe the most soulful of all country music`s young neo-traditionalists, Keith Whitley-who died Tuesday of alcohol poisoning-was the product of both a region and a musical mindset in which the. 8:07 pm. I think that Whiskey Lullabye is a quintessential haunting country song, performed perfectly by Paisley and Krauss. reasons ; . Their story would make a great movie. Only 3 songs were released & 2 others became hits for other artists. Crowe and the New South, and carried his love for drink, and his close calls with self-destruction with him. The couple married that November, and their son, Jesse Keith Whitley, now a singer and songwriter himself, was born the following year. keith whitley autopsy report 19 3407 . You did an excellent and thorough job. Nope, it was Skaggs and Whitley. throughout the next decade? However, his career was cut short when he died at only 33 years old. And, they are details I only learned through your posts and the links you included. Obviously Keiths addiction and death cut his career short. Whitley recalled one time in 1986 hearing Miami, My Amy on the radio station WSM in Nashville. 3:18 pm. The most interesting evidence against his story is in you tube video Lorrie Morgan on Geraldo 11/14/97. The police found 23 cans of empty Budweiser, an empty bottle of Scope, and four half consumed bottles of hair spray in the bedroom that Keith passed away. Keith Whitley, Lorrie Morgan, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs. ~(?=T-((aw68 'ht`iE323,>D_$Gc{dY:/BpT &YG@g I am such a huge fan of his music. When Garth Brooks was announced as an inductee into the country Music Hall of Fame in 2012, he tried to turn the honor down, feeling that Keith Whitley specifically, along with Randy Travis, should be inducted first. May 11, 2019 @ The article specifically is discussing how she was seeing the card in light of what had transpired since he gave it to her. If you go to Pinterest and look on Carrie Huff, it has a copy of both his passport and birth certificate that clearly indicate 1954 was his year of birth. Once when riding passenger in a car and sipping on bootleg bourbon with the driver, they tried to take a curve at 120 mph. . After Keith Whitley's death, Lorrie Morgan, shown with her husband Jon Randall, went on to become one of country music's most popular singers. For example, although I believe Gene Watson and Vern Gosdin had a similar effect and they had better careers since they lived longer. 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. 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 experiencedalso known as the Class of 89 comprising Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and Travis Trittif it wasnt for Keith Whitley. 2:39 pm. Thanks for commenting and offering your insight into this story. These events have allowed the timeline of country music to unfold like a tragedy, and have made folk heroes of some of its greatest stars, including Keith Whitley. TilBillyHill Alcoholism is a terrible disease. First let me state I believe Keith drank himself to death. Its a god awful shame to see this kind of mindset still out there. Side note upon my first tour of the new CMHOF, I was glad to see that his Harley was on display, just as in a visit to the prior building in the 90s. His career was taking off. 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. We still listen to his records/Cds. Kevin Smith Kristen Luchinsky Lorrie Morgan also alleges that Lane Palmer found a baggie of cocaine on Whitleys dresser when he discovered Keith on the bed incapacitated, and swallowed it before authorities arrived. I have said my piece!!! mouths of babes I know that Keiths age when he passed has been debated in the past. The singer's blood alcohol level was reported to be .47, or almost five times the amount to be declared intoxicated in Tennessee. They think it wont happen to me but so many many times it does and before we know it, they are gone from us. My gut says it was cocaine that killed him, but to just blame alcohol as to aviod the embarrassment. I put everything on the back burner, including my career, to help Keith. Stanley wouldnt drink with any of the other members of the band, but he would with Whitley. After seeing Lorrie Morgan off, Keith Whitley began a weekend of heavy drinking. Even then, we would have to figure out why there is a discrepancy in between the two dates. Jackie Keith Whitley (July 1, 1954 - May 9, 1989) was an American country music singer and songwriter. I think its great hes being honored. Lorrie did record a succession of singles in 1979, including one as a posthumous duet with her father, and she recorded a couple of more singles in 1984 too, but nothing that fared well commercially. The autopsy does not state it was traces like reported in Lorries book.. 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