Keith Whitley was an American country music singer and songwriter, known for his smooth, emotional vocal style that helped shape the neotraditional country movement in the 1980s. Born on July 1, 1954, in Kentucky, Whitley began his career in bluegrass before transitioning to mainstream country. Despite his career being tragically cut short by his death in 1989 at the age of 34, his influence remains strong in country music, with many artists citing him as a major inspiration.