This weekend, Garth Brooks helped the Grand Ole Opry celebrate the late Keith Whitley, who passed away in 1989 just before the Opry planned to invite him to become a member.

Whitley, known for songs including “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and “When You Say Nothing At All,” died at 34 years old. Brooks gave Whitley’s former wife, Lorrie Morgan, a replica of the plaque Whitely would have received if he had been inducted into The Grand Ole Opry three decades ago. The former couple’s son, Jesse Keith Whitley, was also in attendance. The membership plaque will hang near the names of the other Opry members at The Grand Ole Opry House.

“As you guys know, the voice of Keith Whitley was silenced on May 9, 1989, just three weeks before he was supposed to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry,” Brooks said. “So, this plaque is the plaque that you get when you become an Opry member. I’m very lucky to have one of these. It’s out there. The Opry House has decided in his recognition, to put this out there with the other Opry members. Whether he got to be officially inducted or not, the fact of having Keith Whitley’s name out there among the rest will elevate the Grand Ole Opry and guys like me who have my name out there.”

Whitley’s plaque says: “This plaque, a replica of those which recognize official Opry members in the Opry House Member Gallery, is presented in recognition that while Keith Whitley’s life may have ended before his dream of Opry membership was realized, his incredible influence endures on the Opry and country music worldwide. Grand Ole Opry October 14, 2023″

Brooks said from the stage that he “would never be anywhere close to getting the life and the joy of singing” if it wasn’t for Whitley.

 “This guy is country music,” Brooks said. “So it’s an honor to be here today.“

In addition to Morgan, Brooks and Jesse Keith Whitley, Ashley McBryde, Terri Clark, and Mark Wills also performed in Whitley’s songs in his honor.

Brooks added that if you knew Whitley and his music, “you can’t help but know this guy loved country music and stood for country music.”

“I’m sure getting to be a part of The Opry was a lifelong dream of his,” Brooks said.

In addition to this recognition from The Grand Ole Opry, Whitley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022.