2004 IMA Winner 
(Folk - Singer/Songwriter)
Chris Whitley’s death on November 20 bracketed the year 2005 with the passing of two American iconoclastic originals. But while Hunter Thompson (who died on February 20^th) bent convention to suit his hallucinogenic vision, Chris’ music was the product of an imagistic original.

Following three wildly inventive, personal and disparate albums that likely confounded the executives at Columbia Records who signed him, Chris eventually turned to a succession of independent labels. But it was on the Messenger Records label where he released his most prolific and soul-searching body of work that included 6 releases over a span of 7 years.

Chris had the talent, the confidence and the courage to shift styles and direction as fast and furious as a water drop boogies on a hot skillet. His spirit lives in the legacy of music he leaves behind.

For all of us at Music Resource Group, Chris will always be remembered for supporting our once fledgling Independent Music Awards program when he signed on as one of the celebrity judging panelists of the inaugural IMA program 6 years ago. True to his uncompromising character, Chris was one of the few judging panelists to submit serious written critiques for all of the songs he was asked to consider. His page-long evaluations were the equivalent of a master class in composition, performance and production.

In later IMA programs, Chris’ music underwent similar scrutiny by a jury of his peers. His two-time rise to the winners’ circle (once for the Folk/Singer-Songwriter and in another program for the Blues/R&B category) was a clear indication of the respect established artists had for his wide-ranging talent.

Music Resource Group extends heartfelt condolences to Chris’ family, friends and fans. The man and his music will be remembered.