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Brotherly Love
Cover Story
June/July 1998
The Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky have given country
music it's greatest legacy. The long hollows of eastern Kentucky have grown traditions of
love for the family and the music that speaks of their heritage. It was into one of these
traditionally strong mountain families that Dwight Whitley was born. He spent his early
youth listening to the rich mountain melodies played on the banjo by his Grandpa Ferguson.
The honesty of the music and it's place among the mountains remains an influence on
Dwight's music to this day.
Music was a major part of the Whitley life and by age ten, Dwight was playing his own banjo along with his mother Faye on the organ, banjo or guitar, his father Elmer on harmonica, his sister Mary singing and his brother Randy playing guitar. The youngest son, Keith Whitley, was surrounded by this influence as a child and soon after Dwight's marriage to Flo Ison, the brothers began to work together in a bluegrass band which grew to include Ricky Skaggs and his father Hobart Skaggs . Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley soon became a part of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys but the devotion and dedication to his growing family kept Dwight in the mountains he loved. While his career in the coal industry became more and more successful, he continued to play locally while his brother Keith, and his friend Ricky Skaggs began their rise to country stardom. Throughout his tremendous career, Keith continued to seek his older brother's advice and continually expressed his desire that he and Dwight make the time to record together. This was never to come about as Keith Whitley's tragic death closed that door. Dwight and Keith suffered the loss of their other brother Randy, also in the prime of his life, leaving Dwight the only surviving Whitley brother.
The love and loyalty to his family which initially kept Dwight from pursuing the career in music which awaited him, ultimately led Dwight to release the album "BROTHERLY LOVE", which is dedicated to brothers everywhere and stands as a tribute to his own brothers Randy and Keith Whitley. The album, released on NEON RECORDS contains many of Keith's great hits as well as some previously un-released material written by Keith for TREE PUBLISHING, INC.
More than a tribute, "BROTHERLY LOVE" is a showcase of Dwight's unique voice and style. He sings with a warmth that comes from the genuine depth of feeling that Dwight has for his songs. He has the unique ability to reach every member of the audience with the honesty of song and his sincere delight to be sharing the music that is so much a part of his life.
With the release of the "BROTHERLY LOVE" album, Dwight has started a schedule of appearances in support of the album which has been successful in fifty states as well as abroad. Dwight has thrilled audiences with songs from the album, his own fine compositions, and songs from the traditional past of country music's long history. An appearance by Dwight Whitley is a high energy, straight ahead country music show which leaves a crowd screaming for more.
Dwight has appeared live on the Ralph Emory Show, with Ken Mellons at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, the TNN Country News, two Standing Room Only performances at the world famous Paramount Theatre in Ashland, Ky., as well as countless Fairs, Festivals and promotions throughout the eastern United States. He has been featured in COUNTRY WEEKLY, COUNTRY AMERICA, and MUSIC CITY NEWS, which are three of the largest country music publications in circulation in the States.
The Academy of Independent Recording Artists, nominated Dwight Whitley for the award certification of MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR COUNTRY DIVISION, in 1996! And on the 11th of Jan, 1998 Dwight Whitley was nominated for video of the year "The Legend And The Man" at The North American Country Music Association International, in Gatlinburg, Tn. AND HE WON.
His album is available in the UK from Tony Howard
Records. Do get a copy it is well worth it. For more information please visit
Dwight's web pages at; (site no longer exists)
Presented By: Marlene Slater
"My Kind Of Country"
Booking:
Whitley Music Inc.
(606) 738-5292
or
Variety Attractions Inc.
Jeff Mills
1-800-474-4190
The Country Music Gazette
Tel: 01144 (0)1977 556568
Fax: 01144 (0)1977 558137
e-mail: jdenterprises@breathe.co.uk
Visit Dwight Whitley's Homepage For More Details
