“Let yesterday go,” Chris Young passionately sang Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes” at the Grand Ole Opry on October 11, 2011. Known for his chart-toppers like “I’m Coming Over” and “Famous Friend,” Young has produced original hits that led him to the country spotlight.
Before stepping onto the grand stage, Young had bought the Martin Sigma guitar owned by Whitley. Considering that he was one of his musical heroes, he was ‘geeked out’ to possess such an instrument. “They found this guitar that Keith actually owned and played, and it was one of the three guitars that he used on the road between ’84 and ’89, right before he died when he was really having number-ones and having hits,” he told I-105 FM station. “It’s so cool. It’s still got the original luggage tag on it with his signature.”
On the night of his performance at the Ole Opry, he wore a flannel checkered long-sleeve shirt with Whitley’s guitar in his hands. As he played the last song on the show, he stood with pride while expressing his admiration for the late icon: “I was always a huge Keith Whitley fan, and I really wanted to own it. And I figured the first time I played it, if I’d be here at the Opry, I ought to play a Keith Whitley song. So if it’s alright with you guys, well, don’t close your eyes.”
Young’s excellent guitar work and impressive smooth vocal tone gave the cover justice. The simple tribute brought back Whitley’s presence in country music as Young’s baritone voice shined. At the end of the song, the audience gave a loud cheer to a worthwhile performance.
Years later, the Nashville Star was inducted into the prestigious Grand Ole Opry by country legend Brad Paisley on October 17, 2017. But since the performance, he hasn’t used Whitley’s guitar in public. He found it hard to use for composing songs now that it was added to his collection.
“There’s pressure! Oh, trust me, there’s…’cause I’m gonna use it to write with, and I mean, you don’t want to come out of the gate and the first song you write on Keith Whitley’s old guitar is terrible,” he jokes on the I-105 FM station.
Get captivated by one of Chris Young’s best hits, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” in his 2011 Grand Ole Opry performance.
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