Statler Brothers

The Statler brothers may not have been famous back in our high school days, but their career spanned 40 years and most of us enjoyed their music and TV specials.  Here's a combination of music videos and interviews.

The essence and highlights of the Statler Brothers 40-year career is captured in this final Farewell Performance on Oct. 26, 2002.  Harold and Don Reid and Phil Balsley retired to their home town of Staunton Virginia.  Don and Phil still live there, but Harold passed away on April 24, 2020 at age 80 after a long battle with kidney failure,  Jimmy Fortune relocated to Nashville, where he continues his music career as a solo artist.

 

The next three videos are a TV special interview by Lorianne Crook and Charley Chase, honoring the Statler Brothers 30 year anniversary with guest appearances from country music legends..

Statler Brothers 30 year anniversary interview Part 1

Statler Brothers 30th year anniversary interview Part 2

Statler Brothers 30th year anniversary interview Part 3

 

 

The next three videos are a series of interviews with Harold and Don Reid of the Statler Brothers with their sons, reviewing their new book and pulling out memories of the early days and fun times.

The Statler Bros. Random Memories Part One

The Statler Bros. Random Memories Part Two

The Statler Bros. Random Memories Part Three

 

When Lew DeWitt, who was one of the original Statler Brothers from 1985-1992, needed to take a break due to health reasons, Harold, Don, and Phil interviewed a lot of country singers from Nashville and around the country but couldn't find the sound and "blend" they wanted.  Lew had met Jimmy Fortune who was from another small town in Virginia, and suggested that he might be exactly what they were looking for.,  Jimmy got the job as a temporary substitute, and then later when Lew felt he was no longer able to go out on the road on tour, Jimmy was hired full time.  Here's how Jimmy remembers how the search, temporarily filling in, and then finally as a full time Statler Brothers member.

 



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