POP/ROCK - Oct. 9, 1989

Traditionalist Keith Whitley, who had four straight No. 1 records before his death--one of them released posthumously--could tonight become the first deceased artist to win an active category award in the nationally televised Country Music Assn.’s awards show. Whitley, who died May 9 of alcohol abuse at the age of 33, is nominated for top male vocalist, single record and the Horizon Award, given for the country music star whose career has shown the most dramatic upswing in the past year. “I Wonder Do You Think of Me,” the first single from Whitley’s album released after his death, went to No. 1 this summer. The awards show will be telecast beginning at 8 p.m. by CBS from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.