Keith Whitley

I have had many artists whom I consider musical heroes. I could listen to and talk about what Elvis, George Strait, Garth, Waylon, Chris LeDoux and Keith Whitley have meant to me for days and days. Those are a few of the artists who have sung the soundtrack of my life. That soundtrack lost a key voice 27 years ago today.

Keith Whitley is one of the greatest country singers of all time. I can only imagine how huge he would have become if he wouldn't have sadly lost his life at the age of 33 back in 1989. He was only with us for a short time but influenced so many of today's country stars.

Everyone has their list of the their favorite artists. The singers who, no matter what they do, you are going to buy their music. I have my list. Many of them are no longer with us but I probably have every single song they have ever recorded. The ones who are still with us can still count on me to buy whatever they put out.

I was on the air the day Keith Whitley died in 1989. I remember it so well. He was just becoming a superstar. He was the new voice of pure country. Keith had the brightest future you could imagine and then he drank it all away.

Keith Whitley had one of the greatest voices country music had ever heard. I can only imagine how big of a star he would have become if he had not tragically died of alcohol poisoning in 1989.

I remember the day perfectly. It was 25 years ago today that I was on the air and heard the old new teletype go off. I went to clear it and see what it was.