Country Radio Told Keith Whitley He Was “Too Country” After His First EP

George Strait may be revered as the King of Country, but if Keith Whitley were still with us, he might very well be a formidable contender for that title. Despite his untimely passing, Whitley’s legacy endures through his exceptional contributions to country music. During his brief career, he released just one EP and two full-length albums, yet these works and posthumous releases have cemented his status as a country music legend. His influence, marked by a neo-traditional sound, resonated alongside contemporaries such as Strait and Randy Travis.

Whitley’s influence continues to be felt by generations of artists, with many of today’s stars considering him a major inspiration. However, during the early stages of his career, Whitley faced surprising opposition. After his debut EP, “A Hard Act To Follow,” was released in 1984, it garnered moderate success but failed to produce major hits. Industry insiders and country radio programmers dismissed Whitley as being “too country.”

At the time, the country music scene had been leaning toward pop influences. Whitley’s pure country sound was perceived as out of sync with prevailing trends. Whitley himself expressed his disbelief to the Chicago Tribune, questioning the direction of the industry he was part of: “I thought, ‘Too country?’ What business am I in?”

Despite the initial setbacks, Whitley’s authenticity and traditional sound would eventually shape the genre. He even recorded several demo songs that became major hits for other artists, which was a source of frustration for him. One such song was “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind,” which Whitley recorded as a demo. However, his producer decided against using it for his EP. The song was eventually pitched to George Strait, who transformed it into a major hit.

While Strait received acclaim for his rendition, Whitley faced critique for supposedly emulating the style of the late Lefty Frizzell. Reflecting on the situation, Whitley noted, “It sounded as if they said going into the session, ‘Let’s cut it as close to this demo as we can.’ Because Strait had never sounded that way on any of his records before.”

Labeling Whitley as “too country” seems absurd in hindsight, especially given his profound impact on the genre. This situation draws a parallel to challenges faced by modern traditional country artists striving for recognition amidst a landscape dominated by pop sounds. Similar to Keith Whitley’s experience, contemporary artists face industry biases that often undervalue traditional country music.

The narrative of Cody Johnson, labeled as “too rodeo for radio,” is a recent example reflecting this ongoing struggle. Despite these hurdles, Keith Whitley’s perseverance and commitment to his unique sound paid off. His journey underscores the importance of staying true to one’s roots rather than conforming to fleeting trends.

Keith Whitley’s enduring influence in country music attests to the timeless appeal of authenticity. His story reminds us that industry gatekeepers sometimes overlook genuine talent. Whitley’s legacy continues to inspire and validate the efforts of artists who prioritize tradition over trends. Listening to the radio or the industry’s dictates isn’t always the wisest path – sometimes, staying true to oneself creates the most lasting impact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwOfWwo5WIw