Keith Whitley Immortalized As He Is Finally Inducted To Country Music Hall Of Fame

Despite a career that was cut all too short by his untimely death only 5 years after the release of his first album, Keith Whitley has managed to cement his place as one of the greatest country singers of all time.

This week, the icon was finally given his rightful spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame.Whitley was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Jerry Lee Lewis and record label executive Joe Galante at the Hall’s 2022 Medallion Ceremony yesterday. And although Whitley wasn’t there to see it, his widow Lorrie Morgan said that he never would have believed it:

“Keith was three weeks away from being made a member of the Grand Ole Opry when he passed away. He didn’t know it and he would have never suspected this in his life.

This is the greatest honor for me to accept this along with my children, Jesse Keith Whitley and Morgan Whitley. We have been through a lot together in remembering Keith and loving Keith and missing Keith and my whole family. We’ve all missed him together.”

Along with his wife, who accepted his Hall of Fame medallion in his place, and his children, Whitley was also honored by Garth Brooks, who performed “Don’t Close Your Eyes” before officially inducting Whitley into the Hall of Fame.

“One of the greatest voices to ever grace country music. That guy could out-sing 99% of us.”

In addition to Brooks, Whitley was also honored by Mickey Guyton, who performed “When You Say Nothing at All,” and Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle and Justin Moses performing “Tennessee Blues.”

Whitley's legacy will continue to influence artists in all genres. We have said it before, if Keith were still around today, we would undoubtedly be the biggest in the country genre.