16 Biggest Hits

by Keith Whitley

Overview

Keith Whitley's tragic bio easily transfers to TV dramas and celebrity gossip. During the '70s he gained a reputation as a skillful musician and singer working with top-notch bluegrass bands including Ralph Stanley and J.D. Crowe, but by the '80s, he made his play for fame and fortune with a traditional country sound. Whitley soon won fame and fortune, but by 1989, he was dead of alcohol poisoning. Incredibly, the songs represented by 16 Biggest Hits all reached the charts between 1984 and 1991, showing just what a moving force Whitley's music was during these years. Five, including "When You Say Nothing at All" in 1988 and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" in 1989, reached number one. In a way then, 16 Biggest Hits not only represents a nice sampling of Whitley's most popular singles, but also something of a country music time capsule of the era. The material also offers a snapshot of new and neo-traditionalist music from the era, a style that partially returned to country music's roots. What really stands out on this collection, though, is Whitley's vocal treatment of ballads like "I Wonder Do You Think of Me" and "Would These Arms Be in Your Way." His soulful, gritty delivery adds authenticity to these numbers, leaving the listener to understand that he, unlike a lot of country singers to follow, was actually born in the South (Kentucky). For anyone looking for a one-stop collection of Whitley's best-remembered songs, 16 Hits more than fits the bill. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/11/2006
Label:	Legacy / Rca
UPC:	0828767824727

Tracks

1. Don't Close Your Eyes
2. When You Say Nothing at All
3. I'm No Stranger to the Rain
4. Miami, My Amy
5. Brotherly Love
6. Some Old Side Road
7. I Wonder Do You Think of Me
8. 'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose
9. Ten Feet Away
10. It Ain't Nothin'
11. Homecoming '63
12. Hard Livin'
13. I'm Over You
14. Somebody's Doin' Me Right
15. Turn Me to Love
16. Would These Arms Be in Your Way

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Keith Whitley   Primary Artist,Vocals
Emmylou Harris   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Reba McEntire   Guest Artist,Vocals
Curtis Young   Vocals (Background),Vocal Harmony
Carol Chase   Vocals (Background)
Gary Prim   Keyboards
Emory Gordy Jr.   Bass
Rob Hajacos   Fiddle
Lorrie Morgan   Vocals
Sam Bush   Mandolin
Matt Rollings   Piano
Mike Lawler   Keyboards
Mitch Humphries   Keyboards
Red Lane   Guitar (Acoustic)
Brent Mason   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Brent Rowan   Dobro,Guitar
Harold Bradley   Guitar
Dave Pomeroy   Bass
Billy Sanford   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Gut String Guitar
Earl Thomas Conley   Vocals
Jerry Kroon   Drums
Hargus "Pig" Robbins   Piano
Vern Gosdin   Vocal Harmony
Pete Wade   Guitar
Eddie Bayers   Drums
James R. Horn   Saxophone
Dennis Wilson Quintet   Vocal Harmony,Vocals (Background)
Dennis Sollee   Saxophone
Paul Franklin   Pedabro,Guitar (Steel)
Biff Watson   Keyboards
Bobby Thompson   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Sonny Garrish   Dobro,Guitar (Steel)
Chip Young   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Larry Paxton   Bass
Garth Fundis   Vocals (Background)
David Hungate   Bass
Mac McAnally   Guitar (Acoustic)
Don Potter   Guitar (Rhythm)

Technical Credits

David Halley   Composer
Dean Dillon   Composer
Ron Hellard   Composer
Wayland Holyfield   Composer
Rob Santos   Compilation Producer
Max D. Barnes   Composer
Red Lane   Composer
Norro Wilson   Composer,Producer,Original Recording Producer
Tim Nichols   Composer
Zack Turner   Composer
Paul Overstreet   Composer
Billy Sanford   Tic Tac
Vic Anesini   Mastering
Vern Gosdin   Composer
Royce Porter   Composer
Hank Cochran   Composer
Laura Grover   Project Director
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Roger D. Ferris   Composer
Jim Shea   Photography
Mary Sharon Rice   Composer
Don Schlitz   Composer
Ken Fredette   Design
Mark Unterberger   Packaging Manager
Tony Haselden   Composer
Troy Seals   Composer
Steven Berkowitz   A&R
Sonny Curtis   Composer
Blake Mevis   Producer,Original Recording Producer
Bob McDill   Composer
Bill Rice   Composer
Keith Whitley   Producer,Original Recording Producer
Jeremy Holiday   Artist Coordination
Garth Fundis   Producer,Original Recording Producer