2* Rare Keith Whitley & JD Crowe -- Hickory Wind

[@retsdon]

It makes me feel better, each time I listen to this.Gram in the car and now Mr. Whitley on youtube. And of course, JD Crowe whose pulloffs I'm still trying to emulate 40 years later. Everyone is born, everyone lives, and everyone dies. It's no big deal. Some people however, leave worthwhile stuff behind them. This is worthwhile stuff.

[@mikejones6486]

Damn man, if any comment in the history of the internet deserves a like it is yours. I would love to have a cold beer with you.

[@lindafields4613]

This my friends is Kentucky soul music and dear to my heart.

[@buzzbait422]

Amen

[@coreydavis7697]

keith whitley is a legend, one of the best bluegrass and country music artist/vocalist of all time.

[@adamtallent3744]

Amen

[@bazthehandyman]

That's a fact.

[@eddietherrien8714]

bazthehandyman the that live

[@MrSDFD18]

Actually, I think it’s more appropriate to say he is one of the best male voices in all music. Keith was an extremely talented guy. His live music showcased his voice far better than recordings. If only we could have heard a duet between the great Keith Whitley and Whitney Houston. Two voices that are beyond compare.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

@@MrSDFD18 or Kieth and Carter Stanley.

[@harveyhenry3598]

Just like Hank, Gram and Kieth overdosed themselves into music heaven too soon. God Bless Them for what they gave us!

[@lconner5595]

Stunning voice and awesome harmony. In about 1979 I was playing with a band at Gettysburg bluegrass festival when it was at the old venue.. I was around the back stage, Keith was with JD then. He broke a string on his guitar . He turned to me I guess because I was the first one there that he saw, and said” hey man, can you reach in my case and get me a D string??” He pointed to his case. I opened it up and there were strings everywhere. Some were in wrappers, and some were not. I found one that was in a D string wrapper , but it was used. I handed it to him. he said “thanks, good it’s a used one.” as I recall he was very appreciative and acted just like a regular guy. down to earth good-natured. Just a naturally great singer and musician. Gone but sure not forgotten.

[@Brockspapa]

Keith was an awesome talent and star long before he was heard by the masses. There is not a so called country singer out there today that can even come close to him. Thanks for sharing this rare and special video.

[@donaldleight6114]

Bob Coltrain Kennedy 3-

[@joyhoward3713]

Bob Coltrain Kennedy I agree Bob Coltrain Kennedy he was in a league of his own no others then and now could come close to the talent this man had . RIP Keith Whitley you are missed and never forgotten!

[@joyhoward3713]

If Keith had lived he would have been a mega -star! There's no other artists out there that could even come close.

[@derickkeaton5440]

I had to comment, so true words. Rip Mr. Country Music

[@randallprime5202]

Very true, the best voice of his time hands down and possible any time!

[@TheDricks2007]

Keith Whitleys Voice is one of a kind!

[@SilentWeaponsQuietWars]

Smoothest voice just like Vern Gosdin.

[@rowenadunlop110]

Keith is the best of the best bar NONE, and right on, nobody today could even hope to come close to the magic in his voice!!!

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

Bar Tony.

[@mikejones6486]

I agree!!!

[@1217Queen]

Tony Rice and Keith Whitley are the the 2 best to ever do it. I love their voices for 2 different reasons. Tony’s was so dry and pure and always spot on and solid as a rock. But Keith’s voice was so soulful, full of emotion. It wouldn’t matter if he was singing the alphabet it’s just so melodic and emotional.

[@helethead]

I think Gram sings it better.

[@EricEllis-b2m]

​@@heletheadDid Gram ever do a studio recording of it? I thought McGuinn sung it on Sweetheart Of The Rodeo. Though Gram did sing it on a live recording that was on the Grevious Angel album.

[@lindafields4613]

Keith has one of the best voices in bluegrass and a love for the music that was endless. This particular group of men never did it better or with more heart and soul. Anyone who ever heard or saw them together will always miss them.

[@kent9311]

linda, did you go to school at canton? ken t.

[@benvasilinda9729]

I was stationed in the Army in Kentucky when I first heard Keith Whitley. He instantly became my favorite country singer and still is to this day. I’m not saying he is the best country singer of all time but he is my favorite country singer of all time. His voice stands out amount all others.

[@TruegrassBoy]

I love it when these videos appear - seemingly out of nowhere. This is a super recording! Love all these guys! (esp. Kieth Whitley and J.D. "the man" Crowe)

[@hogdgz]

EPIC! Keith doing Gram Parsons. I mean, come on!!!!! Thank you so much for posting this!!!!

[@PWoods0078]

Two Legends Of Blue Grass-- Keith Whitley & JD Crowe

[@TOOL-22]

Keith Whitley is to quote Bret Hart 🥇The best there was. 🥈The best there is.. 🥉The best there ever will be... The greatest country singer to ever live, nobody can hold a candle🕯to Keith Whitley! Notable mentions below him in my opinion are Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, & George Strait, to name a few but they aren't on the same level as Keith Whitley. Keith began singing Bluegrass he could sing low Baritone & instantly without missing a note switch to a smooth falsetto all with perfect pitch. Keith Whitley is the Elvis Presley of country music.

[@claytonferguson1104]

Well for being 2nd cuzins with Keith Whitley it adds joy to my heart hearing his music. I pass it on every chance i get . I play lead electric gutiar and his music is always our first set. Im also blood related to Ricky Skaggs.

[@claytonferguson1104]

Exactly

[@jamesmonte4876]

Keith was the best singer to ever live. I'm sure he is the lead singer in The Angel Band.

[@MrSDFD18]

@@claytonferguson1104 where do you fall on Faye’s side of the family? She was the sweetest soul. I miss her each day.

[@Brockspapa]

I agree Clayton. What a legacy in your family. Country music royalty in my opinion.

[@johnpatterson1400]

Keith was Definitely 1 of the Greatest, never ever have i heard a song from him i didn't enjoy, Definitely gone to soon , A True Legend

[@icare19]

The best was with us for such a brief time but left me a lifetime of memories. God Bless Keith.

[@kent9311]

i thought keith was at his bluegrass best with JD and tns. keith sang bluegrass long before he was a country music sensation. if i remember right, he and ricky scaggs were friends and sang together with ralph stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys when they were about 15 yrs old. amoung others, he sang with Carl Jackson, J.D. Crowe, Jimmy Gaudreau, & Earl Thomas Conley. he was a heavy drinker from a very very early age and it finally took his life. sad, very sad. he is still missed and will be for many years to come. thanks for this post.

[@marywagner5673]

One of the best voices in bluegrass & country! Such as sad day when he passed!

[@leroy0082]

The BEST version of Hickory Wind

[@Johnnynbk]

It's not a contest.

[@lucasbowling2639]

@@Johnnynbkhe just stating an opinion

[@BrantleySmithNC]

I've got a new favorite.... That's hard to beat right there. Doesn't get any better!

[@Mandolin1944]

I was thinking the same thing what an awesome performance and what a loss those two guys (Gram and Keith) were.

[@shinaz000]

Wow this is gorgeous

[@davidjodi143]

He was such a loss to Country Music!!!🎉❤😢

[@johnjohnson9861]

I’ve heard countless people sing this song but no one sings it like Keith!

[@weaverfever55]

Trouble is really just life for some could not of had it any-other way...this was a fairytale era in country music,An Keith Lived it..God Bless

[@kevinray3692]

Thanks there's not much you can say just got to listen best thing I've ever came across on youtube

[@BillyColeAndTheFatbacks]

Kevin Ray I could listen all day and night if my wife would let me! lol Thanks for looking here.. I love Keith Whitley and found a treasure when I found this.. Billy Cole.. (I'm highlighting Keith here & google will tell you the rest of the story if Kevin L. doesn't beat us to the punch.. Uh oh, too late! Thanks Kevin L. for the homework..)

[@Rsjcn2000]

I have never seen this, man I wish Keith was still here with us more than just his songs.

[@brentwoods6158]

One of the best country and Bluegrass singer ever rest in peace Keith whitley

[@3061535]

Ol' Bobby Sloane on fiddle got cut off on this video. But that is Bobby. I would recognize that bow holding anywhere. RIP Bobby. You were so cool that nobody even even knew it. And JD. Greatest banjo player of his generation. Life took me to Kentucky. And gave me the gift of this music.

[@jeannienesbitt6332]

well i wish i could see him again he so down to earthy guy seems like i nerver met him personally i saw a show when i was 13 or 14 at a county fair and it was special just being there was enough for me he wasnt even famous yet still in bluegrass with jd im 41 years old now i miss him sooo wonder what all we missed he was just gettin started heaven only knows

[@glennmorris371]

Wow this is so good. Always been a massive Keith Whitley fan. He's the best there has ever been.

[@AshleyAnnSongs]

Top song from a brilliant song writer being sung by a brilliant singer! Both left us far too soon. RIP Gram and Keith.

[@BarbaraTucker-h6t]

J D Crowe one of the best banjo pickers and Keith great singers. Both are from. Kentucky.

[@gilbertpadilla8387]

Great arrangement of the always influential Gram Parsons with Emmylou Harris...love this song.

[@carolvine3202]

Natural born talent,never be bested,such heart.

[@brandonmaillet7752]

In South Carolina now. Could hardly wait to put this song on.

[@WellEnoughAloneBand]

Love it, and JD before he had grey hair. Keith Whitleys voice was pure gold.

[@beez2109]

Keith was unreal. Thanks so much for this early video. He just got better and better. I wish he could have made the full ride because he would have been on the top.

[@countrypaul]

Wow! What exquisite harmonies! And what a song! Thanks to who ever captured and whoever posted this superb moment.

[@rodneybowes4780]

Real music, awesome

[@kerryg100]

Gram and Keith must be looking down and wondering what the fuss is all about ?Both able to capture that heartbreaking sound in their own unique ways that this so good

[@wimpywimpwimpy1753]

never heard this....but dayum!!!!!! truly 1 of the best ever.

[@JosephTurkot]

I think Keith really must have liked Gram--he has Parson's (and Hillman) song "Sin City" on JD Crowe album and it's also awesome

[@michaelangelo9024]

A beautiful lead singer that could do bluegrass or country music. An extraordinary talent. Sorry the bottle was one of his diwnfalls. A shame. Be grateful we all got these recordings. He could have been right there with all the guitar singing front men. Like Rice for one. The music world should miss him.

[@terribleTed-ln6cm]

J.D had that banjo in tune that day, of course Keith was always in tune!

[@cmcd723]

what a shame only 25,000 people have heard this... i guess were the lucky ones

[@tinamorgan7266]

His son Jessie Keith looks like him at this age its amazing......wow love this video

[@oldstuff]

One of the great country singers but with us for such a brief time.

[@frederickboyce9693]

Saw this version of the New South perform many times - great to see them again, thanks for posting.

[@colerainfan1143]

Keith, another great talent, gone too soon.

[@brendawebb2065]

Love this. So glad you shared it. And thankful I stumbled upon it.

[@dougiemccormack2657]

Beautiful

[@margaretross9150]

Outstanding!

[@TheBobo25674]

i can honestly say you haven't heard keith whitley until your hear this song

[@brentwoods6158]

One the greatest singer ever lost him too soon

[@jojoheartspaypay]

Gram and Keith, great performers...now both part of the wind :( RIP

[@Grahamgusbull]

There's a bunch of versions of this fabulous song.....and this is as good as any!

[@rosalyre]

I can't stop playing this. What a voice - and cute to boot. I bet every woman he met fell in love with him.

[@BillyColeAndTheFatbacks]

I posted this and I still listen to it a couple times a week at least.. #KeithLife

[@sjwilson1698]

Billy Cole,........Thanks so much for posting all these great videos love Keith, JD, and the music of this era,....thank you so much !

[@sidhensley4313]

Tyvm for post...best version of hickory wind I've heard hands done.

[@jessedrhodes]

Billy Cole thank you for posting. He does a wonderful job. Makes your feel like your at home in the mountains

[@SilentWeaponsQuietWars]

We appreciate you for posting it.

[@grundan69]

What year was this recording? Thanks for sharing!

[@dickdewater80]

KW died way too soon but thankfully lives on forever in recordings.

[@rogergrindstaff3135]

Truly one of the best.

[@mikeprouty856]

As 15 year old this guy kicked my butt what a beautiful blending he was unique I know Lefty was an influencer but this man paid his dues played with Ricky made his bones there bluegrass but to be able to convey the loneliness of my old friend and blind and Afraid of the Dark and if you really listen to his voice god-given I miss the old traditional medicine of what was then called country music and the absolute bubble gum sell your soul Garth so sad that style can't be heard much anymore I wish country would go back to its roots I know Waylon said That Ain't Country but really we didn't have to sell out to sugar pop did we look at Randy came along what did George say we knew you were carrying something from that Carolina he was wondering what Randy was all about he knew he was good almost as good as George knew he was I do understand the draw of alcohol how much fun it is to get stoned and listen to these guys Merle Lefty little bit more Merle

[@nasty5oh]

This is Perfect

[@landrykkb]

Keith,God bless him,made this one his own.

[@jdfsaints7510]

So awesome!!!!!!

[@HanaFlugrová]

Keith Whitley měl od mládí neobyčejný talent a velké kouzlo osobnosti ❤

[@dmusiclover1]

amazing!

[@Bascomblodge]

Great great stuff.

[@anthonyjones2343]

Im named after Keith. My mom was really close to Keith when she was little.

[@DieGwinners]

THANKFUL ...

[@jonflores6493]

That is really a testament to the coolness of youtube. The Kentucky Bluebird .. flies .. Thank you :]s

[@kevinray3692]

Solid gold!

[@shirleyjennings5787]

awesome

[@TheHeartoftheMusic1]

THE REAL THANG!!!

[@reallyrarestuff]

Keith lived just around the corner from us

[@jeaniebricker539]

I know this was the 70's...BUT I think wearing shorts makes them look trashy! I love Keith Whitley's voice! I'm happy he made it before he passed away!!!

[@edredden2603]

Thank You 👍👍👍❤️

[@rowenadunlop110]

Keith does an awesome job on this Gram Parsons song. But of course he could sing the phone book and it would be a hit.

[@2HRTS1LOVE]

I wish someone who knows who would take this and enhance the audio, round it out or whatever. It's an amazing performance, feels like we can only hear a fraction of it. Guess we're lucky to have it at all, no one was carrying their iPhones around back then, lol.

[@scotthamilton8981]

OGSpaceCadet it's a good mix?

[@TwinWhistle]

Awesome.... I miss Gram parsons and I miss Keith Whitley.....

[@PubliComa]

Kentucky Soul Music?! Now that's a good one. When Gram wrote this song, they would've chased him right the hell outta Kentucky.

[@windyhair1965]

I'm impressed he's singing a Gram Parson's tune :)

[@mrbobevans]

In Keith Richard's autobiography, he has the utmost respect for Gram Parsons. Said he learned a lot from him.

[@sandyellis3004]

Keith Whitley the very best of the best. Why did you leave so soon. Guess the Lord Jesus saw you needed to go back to him.

[@commontater8630]

Oh yeah? Why was that?

[@sandyellis3004]

@@commontater8630 If you don't know them why should I tell you Read your Bible

[@commontater8630]

@@sandyellis3004 Oh, really. So you won't tell a poor benighted non-bible-reading sinner why the Lord Jesus would "need" someone to go back to him?

[@sandyellis3004]

@@commontater8630 Read your Bible and pray and if you are sincere perhaps you will learn the ways of the Lord

[@commontater8630]

@@sandyellis3004 It you say the Lord Jesus "needed" Keith Whitley to go back to him, you might as well say that he "needed" him to drink himself to death.

[@goldencountry]

Thanks for sharing

[@alicia0.9]

best song by him

[@derickkeaton5440]

Keith Whitley, belongs in the same sentence with. Cash, Haggard, Jennings, Jones, an Williams. Period

[@sandyellis3004]

Gram parsons wrote and sung by the great Keith whitley

[@presentdaypaulrevere]

Awesome!

[@robertkzz]

the VIRGINIA GENTILEMAN

[@williamanesbitt]

JD rocks hard on banjo, even on slow three-quarter stuff.

[@benh.1439]

I don’t know who owns the original VHS or Betamax recording... but I sure hope they let an archivist have access to the master at some point because I’m sure the tape “blurbs” can be fixed...and this recording deserves it.

[@adamtallent3744]

The best..

[@ericcorse]

Right up there with Carter both left us way too early.

[@jamesmonte4876]

Best instrument ever made was Keith Whitley's voice.

[@SilentWeaponsQuietWars]

Perfect comment!

[@raymondgaddis6575]

He is head was so full of music how can you possibly remember all those songs all the lyrics his fear was forgetting. I am an alcoholic too it's hard but your fear is forgetting the lyrics and embarrassing yourself in front of people

[@shannondawn44]

Raymond Gaddis Very true

[@shannondawn44]

***** Yes it's very common for musicians to have substance problems because of stage fright or fear of making mistakes . It's a scary thing having that light pointed right on you , with everyone watching closely . That's why so many musicians , from every genre , end up with substance abuse issues . I saw a documentary about Keith Whitley's life , and it was said that he had terrible stage fright every time he performed , and the drinking 'calmed" those nerves . He was an amazing talent . Peace

[@shannondawn44]

Sorry , I must have misunderstood . You aren't saying Hank Williams sr is "tard' boy , and already forgotten ? Also , which song do you speak of ?

[@joyhoward3713]

Hank Williams Sr. was from another time a different era. And he was an amazing talent I that era . But Keith Whitley had so much talent that it appealed to people of all ages and walks of life.I think that even though he was with us such a short time his talent transcends time and other artists can't even come close and never will .

[@joyhoward3713]

Keith started playing with bands when he was really young . Unfortunately most of his band mates drank and did drugs and then so did Keith . Yes he had stage fright but he handled it alright until he started playing with these bigger bands . That's when his drinking started getting out of control . His band mates had to make sure that anything with alcohol in it was destroyed ; mouthwash, cologne etc. So he moved on to other drugs. . Read about him or watch his documentary . Even though he was a drunk and a druggie he was still a great country music star ; a legend! If he'd lived he would have been the greatest past and future ,he was amazing! RIP KEITH gone but not forgotten. As to the subject of his wife , she said she knew if she went on tour what would happen and yet she went anyway! Who does that? Certainly not a loving wife she was portrayed to be .she can't be blamed entirely but if she knew why would she leave him to die . I think there's more to that part of the story but it will never be told . Personally I think Lorie loved her career more than anything. And Keith loved Lorie more than anything. He may still be alive if she would have put him first and not went on tour . He asked her not to go and she left him alone. You decide what do you think about it . Let's here it!

[@diamondblue5327]

Margaret Jennelle VanDyke Such a sad ending to his talented life. Apparently he just could not handle the life style his beautiful voice brought him.

[@deannlatham5708]

Hits from the bong

[@coy0te9]

and God bless Gram Parsons for the song.

[@SteveGaines]

Yep...Keith left Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys to become J.D.'s new lead singer around 1978...

[@ambergillette-at1673]

Yessss !!!

[@mikeprouty856]

Just to make sure Keith Randy even the possum all loved Lefty Frizzell even Merle Haggard another king of country music that has left us loved Lefty just like Hank were taken from us just like Keith they all loved the grape maybe a little bit too much but that's probably because they had so much talent got it just bubbled and boiled over I was so bowled over with Keith when he came out with sad songs and waltzes I was hooked miss him very much that style of music has pretty much left us probably never to return I would love to see another traditionalist like Randy Travis bubble up to the surface and then it's game on I keep waiting

[@allenpennington485]

We lost a GIANT when Keith left us. Hank Williams, Sr. comes to mind. Keith, by far, had the music all figured out.............I just wished he had never gotten into "County" music, Lorrie Morgan, and all that Nashville junk.