Jesse Keith Whitley Featured On New Song About His Late Father

elbrocks / YouTube, Ebet Roberts/Redferns

May 9, 2024, marked the 36th anniversary of Keith Whitley’s death.

He left behind his wife, Lorrie Morgan, and their son, Jesse Keith Whitley.

Jesse was not yet two years old when his father passed away, but thanks to his enduring legacy as a country music singer, Jesse was able to connect with his father through his love of music.

Jesse has followed in his parents’ footsteps and became a musician as well.

While he does have music of his own, he often pays tribute to Keith Whitley with covers of his songs including “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing At All,” and “I’m Over You.”

Jesse also pays tribute to his late father on social media on important dates, like his birthday, and death anniversary.

On the 35th anniversary of his father’s death, Jesse wrote, “Usually I always have something clever to say about how much everyone still misses you and how many people you still touch and influence to this day. But, you know that we all know that nothing has changed including how hard this day will forever be. It never gets easier in fact this year seems to hit a little bit different. I wish you could be here to see and play with your grandkids and grand dogs. I wish you and I could ride Harley’s, make music and eat hot chicken. Soon enough. Here’s to the greatest to ever do it. I love you dad!”

RELATED: Jesse Keith Whitley Celebrates His Dad Becoming A Hall Of Fame Inductee

Jesse teamed up with singer-songwriter Eric Lee Beddingfield for a brand-new tribute to his father.

Eric featured Jesse on his new song, “Taste The Whiskey,” which is not only a tribute to the late Keith Whitley, but also a tribute to several country legends who have passed away including Hank Williams, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash.

The pair sing about how much country music has changed over the years. In the chorus, Eric sings,

“Playing ‘Waymore’ with Waylon on the grooved out 45s, feel the chill of ol’ Hank Williams on that cold December night, Something that  sounds as lonesome as ‘Chiseled in Stone’, yeah I want to taste the whiskey of an old Keith Whitley song.”

Jesse sings the next verse, which is all about his father. In the accompanying music video, Jesse and Eric visit Keith’s grave.

The singers continued reminiscing about the good ol’ days of country music, and it included some footage of George Jones in Eric’s music video for his song “The Gospel According To Jones,” which featured Jones.

During the final chorus, Jesse changed the last line from “Singing an ol’ Keith Whitley song,” to, “Singing one of my daddy’s songs.” To end the video, the pair took a shot of whiskey together and Jesse said, “I think my daddy would approve.” 

They chose the anniversary of Keith’s death to release the song and we agree with Jesse, we think he would approve. Watch the music video for “Taste The Whiskey” below.