Keith Whitley is undoubtably one of the most beloved singers in all of country music history. During his far-too-short career, Whitley charmed his way into the hearts of country fans with his soft, smooth voice and ability to pour emotion into his songs.
While he only released a handful of singles before his death in 1989, many of Whitley’s songs went to number one. Just a few of his most memorable hits include “I’m No Stranger to the Rain,” “I Wonder Do You Think of Me,” and “When You Saying Nothing at All.”
Decades after Whitley’s death, he remains a huge source of inspiration to up-and-coming artists, including one talented 19-year-old singer.
Many artists have served as an influence to 19-year-old Dustin Chapman, but no one more so than Whitley. Chapman, a sophomore Popular Music and Music Business Major at Catawba College in North Carolina, is shaping up for a successful music career. One video that he shared on his Facebook page proves the true depths of his talent.
On Saturday (January 7), Chapman shared a video of himself singing a medley of some of Whitley’s most iconic songs. The medley contained all of the fan-favorites, including “I Never Go Around Mirrors,” “I’m Over You,” and more. But which of Whitley’s songs is Chapman’s favorite?
“The first time I heard Don’t Close Your Eyes’ I was completely blown away,” he wrote in a caption to the video.
What makes this medley truly outstanding is the fact that it was completely arranged by Chapman himself. It’s one thing to sing well, but it’s a true sign of artistry when you can arrange an entire medley well! Did we mention Chapman is only 19?
Whitley’s influence can clearly be heard in Chapman’s voice, which is soft, smooth, and passionate. But Chapman’s voice is no imitation of Whitley’s. Rather, he has his own unique sound that has surely resulted from a combination of hard work and a natural-born talent.
Let Chapman take you on a musical trip through Whitley’s career with his dazzling medley. You can tune in to the clip below to check it out. If you’d like to keep up with Chapman, you can visit his Facebook page here.
We’re sure Whitley would be beyond proud and touched to hear his songs arranged in such a beautiful manner. He’s surely smiling down on Chapman right now.
We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this talented young singer and musician!