Effort Launched to Erect Keith Whitley Memorial

2022 will finally see influential country music artist Keith Whitley inducted into the Country Music Hall Fame after a multi-year effort to get him in finally paid off with the announcement in May. Now an effort is underway to erect a proper memorial for Keith Whitley in his final resting place at the Springhill Cemetery in Nashville.
A group of devoted fans and industry friends—with the approval and cooperation of Lorrie Morgan, Jesse Keith Whitley, Morgan Whitley and Conway Entertainment Group— have established a dedicated bank account overseen by Lorrie Morgan Entertainment to raise funds for the memorial, with a dedicated Indiegogo Drive launched with multiple incentives for the tiers of donations.
“My family and I are so happy at the prospect of seeing this monument in Keith’s honor,” says Lorrie Morgan. “I would be so moved to see it installed the same year that he is finally made a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and I’m deeply touched by those who care so deeply about Keith’s memory and legacy.”
Keith Whitley already has a proper headstone that he shares with Lorrie Morgan at the Springhill Cemetery, but this would be a memorial that would incorporate the “weeping angel” design. Along with Whitley, numerous other country music legends are buried at the cemetery, including Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, Kitty Wells, Jimmy Martin, Jan Howard, John Hartford, Earl Scruggs, and others, making it a destination spot for country fans looking to pay their respects.
A Kentucky native, Keith Whitley started in country music as a member of Ralph Stanley’s bluegrass band, and later join J.D. Crowe and his band The New South. His 1985 album L.A. to Miami put Keith Whitley on the map with songs like “Miami, My Amy,” “Ten Feet Away,” and “Hard Livin’.” Then Keith’s 1988 record Don’t Close Your Eyes set him on the path to superstardom, landing him his first #1 hit with the title track, which would set off a succession of five straight #1 songs from Whitley, including signature songs “When You Say Nothing At All” and “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.”
However on May 9th, 1989, Keith Whitley died of what was ruled as alcohol poisoning, and he ever got to reap the rewards of the career he’d worked to build. He was just 34-years-old. The short nature of Whitley’s career has resulted in some arguing that his legacy was not Hall of Fame worthy. But it wasn’t the amount of hits or the longevity of Whitley’s career that put him in the Hall of Fame. It was the influence he left on country music that was ultimately deemed to be Hall of Fame caliber. Garth Brooks mentioned Whitley by name when he was inducted as someone who deserved to be in before him.
To donate to the Keith Whitley memorial, CLICK HERE.
July 19, 2022 @ 12:48 pm
I hope they get his birth year correct this time.
July 19, 2022 @ 3:11 pm
Careers can be short and still influential. Hank Williams Sr. spent less than a decade in the spotlight. Ditto Patsy Cline. J.D. Salinger published 1 book and Van Gogh sold no more than 2 paintings in his lifetime.
Anyone making an argument against Keith Whitley belonging in the Country Music Hall of Fame isn’t hearing his influence like I did. His fingerprints are all over the best of 90s male country. I’m really happy he is getting his well-deserved place in the Hall.
I’m glad to hear this memorial is going up as well.
July 19, 2022 @ 6:33 pm
I have to agree with Garth Brooks. Keith was the Lefty Frizzell of his generation. Unfortunately, the demons were much the same as Lefty’s.
Keith wasn’t big for a long time, but he’ll never be forgotten. That’s what will set him apart.
July 19, 2022 @ 6:41 pm
I didn’t see a design for a memorial on the site. I think it would be more beneficial to the cause if they had some kind of rendering of a memorial.
July 23, 2022 @ 5:02 pm
They did look up the mouring angel design became popular in the 1800. That what they want.
July 23, 2022 @ 6:12 pm
I saw that image on the site. I don’t dislike it, but it doesn’t say anything about Keith Whitley or convey anything about what we love about his art. That photo they have there looks like Joy Division album cover.
July 23, 2022 @ 7:10 pm
This effort is still in its infant stages. An artist has to be commissioned, drafts submitted, corrections made, approval from the family, etc. etc. The angel is just a starting point. Hopefully it turns out well.
July 20, 2022 @ 8:04 am
It says enough that many of the greatest country singers consider Keith Whitley the greatest country voice of the 80’s.
I hope they erect a status for Keith Whitley as big as the erection Trigger has for Charley Crockett.
July 20, 2022 @ 9:55 am
@eric– You managed to slip that one by.
I think someone may have a bone to pick with you
July 20, 2022 @ 10:53 am
@Luckyoldsun At the end of the day this is still just a comment section. And if anyone makes fun of something by saying something that is 100% not truthful, it won’t resonate. It’s when it’s close to the truth that it causes offense.
July 20, 2022 @ 2:33 pm
It is true that my erection is quite big. Not to get personal, but you went there.
July 20, 2022 @ 4:36 pm
My member could not be any more flaccid for Charley.
July 25, 2022 @ 1:34 pm
My second best country singer behind earl Thomas.good.
July 20, 2022 @ 2:59 pm
Oh yeah,
My wonderful N.Y. musician boyfriend, who kept me calm enough to get me through nuc. med., used to come out of the bathroom, with his bath towel hanging (that he had just dried off with) on his, well, you know, & i would smile, sigh, and say, “you’re bragging.”
God Bless Him …
July 24, 2022 @ 12:49 pm
Love Country music I listened to Keith Whitley all thru the life of this man, he truly was a great music legand
His son Jesse, has a voice that sounds just like his father and mother combined he will never be forgotten.
July 25, 2022 @ 1:44 pm
They have a memorial in Sandy Hook at the town graveyard where many of Keith’s family members are buried. It’s a statue of him. I’m kind of surprises they’re not going that route for this one,