In this April 30, 2019, photo, Lorrie Morgan looks at the Keith Whitley exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. Whitley seemed destined for greatness, but his life was cut short at the age of 33 because of his alcohol addiction. His widow, fellow country singer Morgan, said she hopes people see the struggles he endured to live his dream. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Keith Whitley seemed destined to become a country star with his haunting, soulful baritone honed by his roots in Kentucky bluegrass. But his life was cut tragically short when he died of alcohol poisoning in 1989 at the age of 33 when his addiction finally overcame him.
Thirty years after his death, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is marking his indelible legacy with an exhibit and a concert featuring Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Tracy Lawrence and more.
The exhibit, which opens Friday and runs until April 2020, is the first to focus solely on the Sandy Hook, Kentucky singer whose No. 1 country hits include “When You Say Nothing At All,” ”I’m No Stranger to the Rain” and “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” The concert will be held at the Hall of Fame on May 9 – the anniversary of Whitley’s death.
His widow, country singer Lorrie Morgan, brought their children and grandchildren to see the exhibit firsthand, from the fringed leather jackets he liked to wear to his favorite guitar. Morgan said that while she’s glad to see him finally get recognized, she felt sad that he wasn’t here to see the impact his music had.
“It is a sad story,” Morgan told The Associated Press. “This is not a fairytale ending.”