The quintessential American country music singer and songwriter. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Whitley grew up in nearby Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Whitley began his career there in 1970, performing in Ralph Stanley's band. Establishing himself as a lead singer in bluegrass music, Whitley moved to Nashville in 1983 to began his recording career.
Whitley's first solo album, A Hard Act to Follow, was released in 1984, and featured a more mainstream country style. While Whitley was working hard to achieve his own style, the songs he produced were inconsistent. Critics regarded the album as too erratic. Whitley honed his sound within the next few years for his next album, L.A. to Miami. During his career, Whitley released only two albums but charted 12 singles on the Billboard country charts, and 7 more after his death.
Sandy Hook is a home rule-class city beside the Little Sandy River. The population was 675 at the 2010 census. Sandy Hook is the county seat of Elliott County, Kentucky, which is a dry county. It is illegal to sell alcohol within the city. The Little Sandy Correctional Complex, a medium-security prison operated by the Kentucky Department of Corrections and is located 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Sandy Hook. As of the census of 2000, there were 678 people, 292 households, and 167 families residing in the city.
Keith Whitley tracks to check out: When You Say Nothing at All, I'm No Stranger to the Rain & Pick Me Up On Your Way Down