In a special stage performance on May 16, 2011, at his CD release party at Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, Jesse Keith Whitley sang his late father’s 1987 recording “Tell Lorrie I Love Her.” He did it for his mom, Grammy-nominated country singer Lorrie Morgan, and dedicated it to his dad, the “Kentucky Bluebird,” Keith Whitley.
Jesse Keith Whitley’s Stripped-Down Cover Version of “Tell Lorrie I Love Her”
Jesse opened the performance by introducing his mom, calling her the legendary diva of country music, and requesting she come up on stage with him. He got her a seat right beside him, and then she asked him, “Am I gonna sing?” To which he responded that she wasn’t. All she had to do was enjoy the whole act.
He then went on to share a bit about himself — how much of a handful he was when he was young — and how his mom did “a damn good job” in raising him. He also noted how his friends all loved her and how they all thought she was hot, which earned a laugh from Morgan and loud cheers from the audience.
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After the quick story, the singer said, “So, what we’re gonna do is this next song, we’re gonna do it for my mom. But I’m gonna dedicate it for my dad to my mom.”
When his guitarist started playing, he passed his beer to his mom and then proceeded to sing. The first few notes received screams from the audience. Then, as he continued, the crowd fell silent, listening intently to him. But as soon as he hit the chorus in harmony with his guitarist, the crowd couldn’t help but give them a boost.
For You
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For the next and final chorus, Jesse turned to face his mom and serenaded her. He then ended the performance by saying, “Y’all give it up for her,” as he pointed to his mom. Morgan then reached out to hug her son. He hugged her back, kissed her on the cheeks, and told her he loved her.
Witness Jesse Keith Whitley’s heartfelt cover of “Tell Lorrie I Love Her” and the beautiful moment he shared with his mom in the video below.
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