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Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story
By turns passionate and desperate, tragic and triumphant--the life of Lorrie Morgan could easily have been lifted from the lyrics of a classic country song. Now, in Forever Yours, Faithfully, Lorrie shares all the pleasure and the pain of her remarkable career and her turbulent, consuming love for doomed, brilliant blue-grass star, Keith Whitely.
Lorrie Morgan was born to be a country music star. Thanks to a father who was also a Grand Ole Opry legend, Lorrie grew up in the shadows of such country greats as Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff. Inspired by such talent and nurtured in a stable home, she sang at the Opry when she was only thirteen years old. In a voice all her own, Lorrie takes us inside the country music world where she would rise to become Nashville gold.
Over the next several years, Lorrie's home life was to become a lot less stable. When Lorrie was twenty-two years old, she heard a voice on the radio--and fell under its seductive spell. That voice belonged to singer Keith Whitely. They soon met, left their respective marriages, and started a life that Lorrie hoped would be "happily ever after." Yet it was a relationship marred by dark moods, drinking, and drugs, as Lorrie, blinded by devotion, refused to see that she was hopelessly in love with a chronic alcoholic. She stayed by his side until his untimely death in 1989--only to be hit with a second the shocking news of Keith's infidelities.
With amazing insight and candor, Lorrie opens her heart, answering such personal questions Who was with Keith when he died? What actually killed him? How does one reconcile the "man of your dreams" with the man in real life? And perhaps most Can he be forgiven? Fortunately, Lorrie's life did not end after Keith's death. Her star went on to shine even brighter. She rose to superstar status as a singer and, eventually, true love came calling again.
Beloved, betrayed, and ultimately resilient, Lorrie Morgan has written a painfully honest memoir about rising above and moving on. Forever Yours, Faithfully resonates with emotion and the power of the human spirit.
Lorrie Morgan was born to be a country music star. Thanks to a father who was also a Grand Ole Opry legend, Lorrie grew up in the shadows of such country greats as Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff. Inspired by such talent and nurtured in a stable home, she sang at the Opry when she was only thirteen years old. In a voice all her own, Lorrie takes us inside the country music world where she would rise to become Nashville gold.
Over the next several years, Lorrie's home life was to become a lot less stable. When Lorrie was twenty-two years old, she heard a voice on the radio--and fell under its seductive spell. That voice belonged to singer Keith Whitely. They soon met, left their respective marriages, and started a life that Lorrie hoped would be "happily ever after." Yet it was a relationship marred by dark moods, drinking, and drugs, as Lorrie, blinded by devotion, refused to see that she was hopelessly in love with a chronic alcoholic. She stayed by his side until his untimely death in 1989--only to be hit with a second the shocking news of Keith's infidelities.
With amazing insight and candor, Lorrie opens her heart, answering such personal questions Who was with Keith when he died? What actually killed him? How does one reconcile the "man of your dreams" with the man in real life? And perhaps most Can he be forgiven? Fortunately, Lorrie's life did not end after Keith's death. Her star went on to shine even brighter. She rose to superstar status as a singer and, eventually, true love came calling again.
Beloved, betrayed, and ultimately resilient, Lorrie Morgan has written a painfully honest memoir about rising above and moving on. Forever Yours, Faithfully resonates with emotion and the power of the human spirit.
301 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
5 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 9, 2011
"Forever Yours, Faithfully" by Lorrie Morgan is a book I enjoyed very much as a country music fan. I was just discovering Keith Whitley when he tragically died of alcohol poisoning, and I've also seen Lorrie Morgan three times in concert. I bought this book to learn more about Whitley. This is an incredibly honest, straightforward look at Lorrie Morgan's life. The discussion of her marriage to Keith Whitley is almost painful to read. I won't spoil it by sharing the stories she tells, but I will say they are chilling. Whitley clearly had many problems, and none of them are hidden in this book. Morgan describes a relationship that many of us have seen personally. She loved sober Keith with all of her being. Drunk Keith was a completely different person. I think many people can relate to that.
This isn't an easy read because the story of Whitley's sad end is difficult to even comprehend, but it is honest. The results of a .50 blood alcohol content speak for themselves. I got this book to learn more about Whitley, and I did. A good portion of the book is actually about him. She was only married to Keith Whitley for three years, and he was her second marriage. This is a snapshot of what was probably the most traumatic event in her life. It was a pivotal event that I think she told in a brutally honest manner. It nearly shattered her. Anybody who watched her in the aftermath of his death knows that. If he had lived, they probably would have gotten divorced or he would've gotten sober. He died. In my opinion, this is a book worth reading. It's a story that touched me. I think it took an incredible amount of courage to lay her private life out there for the public to attack. I don't think this was written to show what a perfect love affair they had. I think it was written to show what a typically dysfunctional life they had. They weren't special. That's the point.
This isn't an easy read because the story of Whitley's sad end is difficult to even comprehend, but it is honest. The results of a .50 blood alcohol content speak for themselves. I got this book to learn more about Whitley, and I did. A good portion of the book is actually about him. She was only married to Keith Whitley for three years, and he was her second marriage. This is a snapshot of what was probably the most traumatic event in her life. It was a pivotal event that I think she told in a brutally honest manner. It nearly shattered her. Anybody who watched her in the aftermath of his death knows that. If he had lived, they probably would have gotten divorced or he would've gotten sober. He died. In my opinion, this is a book worth reading. It's a story that touched me. I think it took an incredible amount of courage to lay her private life out there for the public to attack. I don't think this was written to show what a perfect love affair they had. I think it was written to show what a typically dysfunctional life they had. They weren't special. That's the point.
March 12, 2012
Lorrie Morgan has writen an emotional roller coaster of a book, in this story about her life with her father, Grand Ole Opry star, George Morgan, and her husband Keith Whitley. She captures the beauty of life as well as the heart break brought on by death, as she passes these feelings on to the reader of this book.
October 12, 2010
This a book on tape Frank picked up for me. I enjoyed learning a bit more about Lorrie Morgan and Keith Whitley but the story as a whole just didn't hold my attention very well. I found myself constantly having to rewind to see what she was talking about. Maybe it would be different in book format.
April 29, 2015
I liked this book as it was very revealing concerning her late husband Keith Whitley's problems with alcohol which eventually killed him. She was very upfront and matter of fact with her story and you really got a sense of what she was feeling during that dark time in her life.
January 13, 2020
It was interesting enough but I soon tired of the alcohol problems, the excessive sex, the 'friends' who tried to keep Keith Whitley away from drinking. She enjoys the company of several men after his death and I see she is now married again to someone not even mentioned in this old book.
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October 22, 2008I just finished it, what a tragic yet talented soul Keith Whitley was, I love his music, and Lorrie's also
June 22, 2010
Another one from my country music phase ... read this in 2000.
March 7, 2011
The story of country singers Lorrie Morgan and Keith Whitley - their marriage, and Keith's untimely death due to an overdose of alcohol. Hard to read at times.
May 5, 2011
Couldn't stop reading it. Fascinating story of her life and the love she shared with Keith Whitley. Honest, painful and moving.
July 6, 2011
This book is absolutely amazing!! Lorrie did not sugar coat anything in her struggles with her husband Keith!! Truly a must read!!
May 1, 2021
Country music autobiographies from the 1990s really should be evaluated on a different scale. I’ve mentioned elsewhere that Tanya Tucker freely acknowledges hers was primarily written by her coauthor. Near the end, Lorrie Morgan references her then-current husband suffering through her tape recorded recollections, so no need to assume she slaved away at her word processor for years and years in search of the best word in each sentence.
In the first 100 pages she tells of meeting Keith Whitley, but mostly it’s her family history and his. The rest of the book is about their romance and his alcoholism. There are some fascinating tidbits: her biggest supporter, he pressed for her signing to RCA Nashville; he was deemed too country by that label initially and changed producers after “Miami My Amy”—very notably not too country—became his first hit song; he almost lost his record deal near the end, after executives (my opinion) over-extended themselves for years accommodating him; the end of his last fateful binge, still unresolved to LM’s liking, may have been in part due to tabloid anxiety over its beginning two days earlier.
Her outright bashing his band members’ wives is unnecessary but funny. And though logic would suggest she resolve the questions around his death before moving on to all the subsequent boyfriends and husbands, it’s a credit to the coauthor that the end of the book returned to the mysteries around his death and gave us a bit of both climax and closure.
In the first 100 pages she tells of meeting Keith Whitley, but mostly it’s her family history and his. The rest of the book is about their romance and his alcoholism. There are some fascinating tidbits: her biggest supporter, he pressed for her signing to RCA Nashville; he was deemed too country by that label initially and changed producers after “Miami My Amy”—very notably not too country—became his first hit song; he almost lost his record deal near the end, after executives (my opinion) over-extended themselves for years accommodating him; the end of his last fateful binge, still unresolved to LM’s liking, may have been in part due to tabloid anxiety over its beginning two days earlier.
Her outright bashing his band members’ wives is unnecessary but funny. And though logic would suggest she resolve the questions around his death before moving on to all the subsequent boyfriends and husbands, it’s a credit to the coauthor that the end of the book returned to the mysteries around his death and gave us a bit of both climax and closure.
April 17, 2023
Keith Whitley is one of my top 5 favorite singers ever. Learning more about this part of his story, and learning about Lorrie Morgan, was more than compelling enough to make me want to pick the book up. I had never heard her music prior to this book, and now I have a few songs on my playlist.
Not only did I learn more about her, I learned about country music in general. Lorrie Morgan is a wealth of country music knowledge.
This book also contained such an in-depth journey of how it feels to love someone who is struggling with alcoholism. Nothing is romanticized and the details are raw. I’m glad I read this book, both as a huge fan and overall to learn more about Keith and Lorrie.
Not only did I learn more about her, I learned about country music in general. Lorrie Morgan is a wealth of country music knowledge.
This book also contained such an in-depth journey of how it feels to love someone who is struggling with alcoholism. Nothing is romanticized and the details are raw. I’m glad I read this book, both as a huge fan and overall to learn more about Keith and Lorrie.
September 16, 2022
Its hard to read this and not wonder what Morgan was thinking by continuing to condone what was going on in Whitleys life. As someone who hasn't ever dealt with such an addiction its hard to imagine that you could put up with the behaviour, but on the other hand, most of the time she was terrified for his life. What love can do is amazing but it can't do everything.
September 10, 2023
I really like Lorrie Morgan and enjoyed this book immensely! However, I wish she spoke of her children more and their accomplishments and diversities growing up. Jessie is an amazing singer who has a voice like his father! Noone knows the struggles people face everyday, thank you Lorrie for sharing yours with us.
August 20, 2018
After reading this book I went and found what CD I had of Lorrie Morgan's. I also went on YouTube to listen to some of Keith's Songs. He had an amazing voice and so sad he died so long of his addiction.
May 16, 2018
I have loved this book, Lori wrote this so beautifully it captured the essence of her and Keith Whitley and their children how she adored him, how her children adored him.
March 7, 2023
Must read
November 7, 2023
What a beautiful transparent book on Lorrie’s life. I learned so much about her life before, during, & after Keith. Wow!
December 27, 2023
Literally read this book in a day. The Keith Whitley stuff was so honourable yet so raw. Thank you for being so real Lorrie.
March 28, 2024
Amazing book! Loved it from beginning to end!
November 14, 2025
the story of lorrie morgan and her husband keith whitley i got the book because my grand son is a huge fan and its hard to find anything on him
July 1, 2021
Heartbreaking look at marriage to the incredibly talented alcoholic that was Keith Whitley. But now I would like to read a good biography of Keith to get the other side of the story.
October 9, 2009
Currently reading this one as I work out at the gym, as chapters are relatively short and the biography format lends itself well to stopping and starting often over a period of a few weeks (i.e. no cliffhangers).
I was 4 years old when Keith Whitley died, and 13 before I took any notice to country music, so to me, Lorrie Morgan was a star whose peak had already come and who we don't hear much from these days. She's had a couple singles out since I've followed country music, but her marriage to Sammy Kershaw and the ups and downs in that relationship are the most recent subjects of articles I've seen concerning her. That said, I knew of her being the daughter of George Morgan, a country singer of my grandparents' generation and that she travelled a rocky road leading up to her marriage to Kershaw. Reading the jacket, I decided that I'd be interested in learning both about that rocky road and about Keith Whitley, since their marriage was concurrent with the height of his career.
Still reading it and am just past the chapters concerning Whitley's death and how she coped. It was a good choice, as I am enjoying learning about both of their lives and careers, as well as Lorrie's experiences growing up in the business. Reminds me very much of a Crook and Chase autobiography I read at the gym a few months ago, because both books provide a look into the world of country music that only someone who has actually lived it can provide. I'm also finding myself comparing it to George Jones' autobiography where he chronicles his battles with drugs and the effects it had on his career, as I can now see Keith Whitley writing a very similar story to Jones' were he still alive today.
I've since finished the book, and Lorrie wraps it up very nicely, including how she has managed to balance raising 2 children and have a successful music career. Obviously the book is now 12 years old, so there have been more chapters in Lorrie's life story since the book was written, but for someone interested in Keith Whitley's life, this is as close to an autobiography as I suspect you'll find.
I was 4 years old when Keith Whitley died, and 13 before I took any notice to country music, so to me, Lorrie Morgan was a star whose peak had already come and who we don't hear much from these days. She's had a couple singles out since I've followed country music, but her marriage to Sammy Kershaw and the ups and downs in that relationship are the most recent subjects of articles I've seen concerning her. That said, I knew of her being the daughter of George Morgan, a country singer of my grandparents' generation and that she travelled a rocky road leading up to her marriage to Kershaw. Reading the jacket, I decided that I'd be interested in learning both about that rocky road and about Keith Whitley, since their marriage was concurrent with the height of his career.
Still reading it and am just past the chapters concerning Whitley's death and how she coped. It was a good choice, as I am enjoying learning about both of their lives and careers, as well as Lorrie's experiences growing up in the business. Reminds me very much of a Crook and Chase autobiography I read at the gym a few months ago, because both books provide a look into the world of country music that only someone who has actually lived it can provide. I'm also finding myself comparing it to George Jones' autobiography where he chronicles his battles with drugs and the effects it had on his career, as I can now see Keith Whitley writing a very similar story to Jones' were he still alive today.
I've since finished the book, and Lorrie wraps it up very nicely, including how she has managed to balance raising 2 children and have a successful music career. Obviously the book is now 12 years old, so there have been more chapters in Lorrie's life story since the book was written, but for someone interested in Keith Whitley's life, this is as close to an autobiography as I suspect you'll find.
October 30, 2015
Was ok but thought it would be more interesting. Had much more of her childhood history than i expected.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews