Keith Whitley Tribute Concert to Feature Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Tracy Lawrence, Joe Diffie & Many More

by Jim Casey | @TheJimCasey | March 26, 2019

More than a dozen artists will take part in the Keith Whitley 30th Anniversary Memorial Concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater on May 9.

Artists performing include Caleb Daugherty, Carl Jackson, Corey Farlow, Cory Keefe, Darryl Worley, Dustin Keefe, Dylan Scott, Garth Brooks, Jesse Whitley, Joe Diffie, Kevin Denney, Larry Cordle, Mark Chesnutt, Mark Wills, Randy Hayes, Tom Buller, Tracy Lawrence, Trisha Yearwood and Wesley Dennis.

The concert will pay tribute to the life and career of Whitley, who died of alcohol poisoning on May 9, 1989, at the age of 33. During the course of his career, Whitley scored an array of hits, including “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing at All,” “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” and more.

Each artist will sing one of Whitley’s songs backed by the Lorrie Morgan Band. Lorrie Morgan, who was married to Whitley for almost three years, will host the event with her son, Jesse Keith Whitley.

Tickets go on sale on March 29 at 10 a.m. CT.

artwork courtesy of CMA

Blogs

On Wednesday (April 30), Eric Church announced the dates and details of his 2025 Free The Machine Tour of North America. The 22-date arena tour starts in Pittsburgh on September 12 and finishes in Los Angeles on November 15, hitting cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Seattle along the way. Church will be joined by…

Eric Church Announces 2025 Free The Machine North American Tour

Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers' rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…

Jessi Alexander Shares Her Journey From Fledgling Artist To Hit Country Songwriter

Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers’ rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…

Nashville-based label Big Loud, home to Morgan Wallen, has reportedly sold a minority stake in the country superstar’s master recordings to Chord Music Partners for over $200 million. The deal is for a minority holding in Wallen’s first three studio albums, which includes his blockbuster 2023 double album, One Thing at a Time. The deal…

Minority Stake In Morgan Wallen’s Catalog Sold By Big Loud For $200 Million

The 2025 ACM Awards will begin with a 12-minute music showcase honoring ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year over six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland, and will likely include hit songs like “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay” in the medley.…

2025 ACM Awards Will Open With 12-Minute “Songs Of The Decades’ Medley, With Special Collaborations Planned During Ceremony

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, "Burned Down Heaven," has a similar effect…