Jesse Keith Whitley Honors Late Father With Single, “Try to Change My Ways”

(Left) Getty / Ebet Roberts (Right) Instagram / Jesse Keith Whitley

Keith Whitley’s son, Jesse Keith Whitley, honored his father in an incredible way.

Jesse dedicated his single “Try To Change My Ways” to his country legend dad and released it on the 31st anniversary of his father’s untimely death.

Keith Whitley was only 33-years-old when he passed away from alcohol poisoning on May 9, 1989. He was at the highlight of his country music career, with number one hits “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and “When You Say Nothing At All.” Married to fellow country music artist, Lorrie Morgan, they were the reigning king and queen of country music, with a love story to follow suit.

Jesse was still very young when his father passed away. However, he feels confident that this song, “Try To Change My Ways” embodies the spirit of his dad and what he stood for. There is one lyric in the song that especially reminds him of his dad, “My blood runs through these Kentucky hills,” Jesse told Sounds Like Nashville. Being born in Kentucky, Jesse admits that anytime he drives through there it reminds him of his father and all the Whitley family.

“Try To Change My Ways” is the first single to come out from his upcoming album project that is due later this year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xm2_Xh5a4/

It has been over three decades since Keith Whitley’s death, however, his influence on country music can be heard through the country music artists of today.

Keith had just finished working on his third studio album, I Wonder Do You Think Of Me, at the time of his death. It was released three months after his death and it yielded two more number one hits, “It Ain’t Nothin” and the title track “I Wonder Do You Think Of Me.”

Listen to Jesse Keith Whitley’s tribute song to his dad below!