Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Watch: Tim McGraw Belts Out “Don’t Close Your Eyes” Together With Keith Whitley’s Guitar

Tim McGraw performs his favorite Keith Whitley song—"Don’t Close Your Eyes,”
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Almost all of Tim McGraw’s songs are always part of the all-time country favorites list, but Tim made a different tune when he performed his favorite Keith Whitley song, “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” A one-of-a-kind night full of unforgettable music was what Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum online fundraiser via YouTube offered back on Oct. 28, 2020.

Virtual shows became the most extensive option when the pandemic struck us. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop the talented country music stars from gathering and create a historical event.

Tim McGraw Performance

The concept of the concert was that artists were paired with iconic instruments from other classic country legends. Tim McGraw sang Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes” while playing his C.W. Parsons acoustic guitar. It was a free concert where viewers were encouraged to donate using YouTube Giving for the museum.

Keith’s treasured guitar was purchased in the Kentucky state. He just exchanged a dollar and a handshake for the sturdy instrument. The pre-taped performance showcased Tim sitting in front of the exhibit. Clearly, he’s the best choice.

Furthermore, the great thing about the famous country crooner is that he isn’t afraid to open up and show his emotions. With each strum of the guitar and smooth voice, he perfectly portrayed what Keith would have done if he was on the show. 

Short Summary For Keith Whitley’s Song

“Don’t Close Your Eyes” bagged the 1988 Billboard’s number one country single of the year. Bob McDill wrote the song as Keith Whitley recorded it. And after it joined the bandwagon of digital download, the song garnered 475,000 digital copies in the United States as of March 2019.

The song was covered by different artists like Alan Jackson, Kellie Pickler, and Garth Brooks. Keith passed away when he was 34 years old, and Tim still feels remorseful when he remembers the veteran country singer. Nevertheless, he did a fantastic job both with the instrument and the song.

You can watch Tim McGraw belting out “Don’t Close Your Eyes” below.

Trending

Latest Stories

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

After viral sensation Oliver Anthony shared some candid—and controversial—thoughts about the music industry, country music fans were abuzz recently. The conversation escalated when Anthony hinted that a mainstream country artist ...

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis' Grammy-Winning "Forever and Ever, Amen"

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

When it comes to country music that stands the test of time, Randy Travis is the name that echoes through the halls of history. His deep, resonant voice and unparalleled ...

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

The Robertson family, known for their Duck Dynasty fame, has revealed concerning news about their beloved patriarch, Phil Robertson. On a recent episode of their podcast, Unashamed with the Robertson ...

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Country music has always been a storytelling tradition, weaving the trials and triumphs of everyday life into melodies that stand the test of time. While most fans trace the roots ...

The All-American Rejects Reveal "Dirty Little Secret" Started as a Country Song

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

Who would’ve thought? The All-American Rejects, those emo-rock icons of the 2000s, recently revealed a surprising twist about one of their biggest hits. During an interview on the Zach Sang ...

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top is quickly solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Zach brings a neotraditional flair to his music that feels ...

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds' Show

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds may be best remembered as a Hollywood icon. Still, in the early ’90s, he brought country music royalty together for an unforgettable moment in television history. On his ...

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton’s dominance at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was not without controversy. As he walked away with Single of the Year and Song of the Year for ...

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Album as "Complete Trash"

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Album as “Complete Trash”

Oliver Anthony is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unapologetic stance against the mainstream music industry, the artist behind “Rich Men North of Richmond” recently turned his attention to ...

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville's Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville’s Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony, the breakout star whose hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” skyrocketed him to fame, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the music business’s ...