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Blake Shelton confirmed he will co-produce a documentary about late country legend Keith Whitley.
Whitley was a singer-songwriter who was born in 1954, and grew up in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. He was known for hits like “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “Miami, My Amy,” “When You Say Nothing at All,” and more throughout the course of his career. Whitley died in May 1989. He was 34. His wife, fellow country singer Lorrie Morgan, paid tribute to him when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022.
“Keith Whitley released only three albums during his life, but his music has influenced generations of country music artists. I’m proud and honored we get to bring his incredible story to film,” Shelton said as he announced the documentary on Tuesday (December 10). “The documentary will feature extensive archival footage from the Country Music Hall of Fame and personal collections from Lorrie Morgan, providing a rich tapestry of Whitley's life and career. It will also explore the small town of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, where Keith grew up, and include reflections from Lorrie as she navigates her own career while honoring his memory.”
ACE Partner Justin Barocas and Director of Development MJ Grogan will executive produce the documentary, per a post from Anomaly Content & Entertainment. The documentary about Whitley will reportedly begin filming in January 2025. It was unclear as of publication time on Tuesday when the documentary would premiere.
“What drew me to this project was the idea of tapping into a pop culture story that lies slightly beneath the surface,” ACE Partner and Producer Evan Hayes said in a statement. “Here is this guy who is so important in the country music world - he inspired the modern Star Is Born, Morgan Wallen wrote a song about him and his music - and a lot of people don’t know his name. To be able to explore his character and this love story that had permeated pop culture in such an impactful way and introduce it to mainstream audiences is exciting.”