I knew Jimmy at the time this was all happening. He played with a band in a bar where I was working. Such a really nice guy and nice family. Hard worker and very humble. So happy that God opened this door for him. He deserved it!
With that high voice of his I can't imagine him singing in any kind of group other than one with gospel harmonies let alone a "bar band". Tremendous talent...."Elizabeth" is one of the greatest country songs ever.
He was a a green, sweet, 26 year old kid who adored Lew and the Brothers. He brought Elizabeth-his FIRST songwriting effort, to them and frankly revitalized their career (not that they weren't still at the peak but what a shot in the arm for the group this guy was-they soared even higher)! Lew couldn't return.I loved Lew, Love JImmy. What a testimony and witness this guy is to a loving God as well!♥
I grew up listening to the Statlers. I think it's so awesome their first meeting with Jimmy they say let's go to my home and sing around the piano. Can you imagine that? And they sing Amazing Grace. That song be over the top.
Lew Dewitt was still with the Statler's when I started listening to them and he was incredible. It broke my heart that he had to leave the group. I doubt there has ever been a "replacement" that was so perfect as Jimmy Fortune. His voice was the perfect substitute for Lew's, plus he gave us some great songs such as Elizabeth and More Than a Name on a Wall, just to name two. What a wonderful gentleman and a fine Christian. May God bless him.
Jimmy has a great voice. What are you supposed to do when someone gets sick and can no longer work, you have no choice but to replace them. Lew picked Jimmy himself and made a good choice. God bless the Statlers. I grew up with them and sing their songs to this day. Thank you guys.
Daisy Mae French I went to everyone of The Statler Brothers Concerts at The Coliseum in Hampton, Va. and Scope in Norfolk, Va. Even went to Staunton, Va. to see everything there was to see about The Statlers! They were my favorite group and I hated to see them go, but realized it was their time to retire and spend time with their families!! 😊 ❤️ 😊 ❤️ 😊
No one could have done the job Jimmy did! Up til he came along the Statlers had only had one number one song which was "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine". Jimmy came along and gave us "Elizabeth", "My Only Love", "Too Much On My Heart", which were all Number One Hits! Lew deWitt was a very courageous man and thank God for him and his beautiful voice. No one could replace him. Jimmy had a different sound with the Statlers and it was equally good! Love him and love Lew!
I don't believe they had only one number one hit before Jimmy. They had been singing together as an established group since 1964. Jimmy didn't come along until around 1982. They won a Grammy for flowers on the wall. You mentioned 3 songs Jimmy wrote. He also wrote "Forever" and "Name on the wall". Yes, Jimmy was, and is a great tenor but Lew was also and had a very unique style.
I was a country music DJ back when all that went down, and we were all anxious and skeptical about Jimmy. But he blew us all completely away with his singing, musicianship, and songwriting.
That was a great story, made me laugh with his comments, my favorite group, married 51 years on 9/6, many many years ago, I told my wife for my birthday or anniversary present would be the Statler Bris album, I still have it. I know it’s over 40 yrs old. Love it.
My opinion is that both Lew and Jimmy had great voices. Lew was ill and needed to retire, so a replacement was needed for the others to keep going. I don't believe we need to diss Jimmy just because he wasn't Lew, that just isn't right. Jimmy has a beautiful voice.
Don sang lead on most of their songs but Lew was the unofficial leader and musical director. No one could replace him and Jimmy didn't try to. He blended in with his own identity and musical talent. The Statler's were in a bit of a slump "hits" wise and Fortune wrote 2 songs that went #1 when he first joined and helped elevate the band back to star status.
ChristineES44 I dearly loved Lew. I know that Jimmy was very talented. That was obvious. The guys agreed on him joining the group. But Lew’s sound made the Statler Brothers stand out. They were beyond compare. Without Lew that wasn’t there anymore for me. I prefer the old albums.
Jimmy Fortune is a special guy! I love his singing and he is tops. Thanks for letting me, a little country woman, sing with you. Precious, exciting memories!
What a great interview! Always wondered how that transition took place. For many years Jimmy didn't cut it for me, but I have since changed my view. The blend that Jimmy brought to the group was astounding and his humility was the perfect balance to Harold's bravado and swagger. Lou had the most distinctive and uniquely lilting country tenor I've ever heard and as a young fan, I admired him and the rest of the group greatly. Will tomorrow's country fans ever really appreciate these legends that are slowly slipping the surly bonds of earth? RIP Harold... Lou...
Oh he's good! Got to sit on the stage in Branson on Larry's Country Diner and watch Jimmy perform. He was more than worthy of his position in the Statler Brothers! Got to meet and talk to him too (thanks to Jason Hutchinson) nice guy with a ton of talent!
Was in a restaurant one night about 12 years ago , snd Jimmy was in there eating dinner. It just so happened that a group was in there off a tour bus and they recognized Jimmy. You can’t believe the number of people coming over to get Jimmy’s autograph while he was eating. It was amazing to see how nice and polite he was to everyone, even though they were interrupting his meal. From that point on he won me over
The Statlers were the greatest singing group of the 1980s--maybe the '90s, but I moved to Taiwan in 1992, so I wouldn't know. I was deeply moved by Jimmy's story on your video. Thanks.
I saw Jimmy Fortune on stage with the Statlers when he was hired as a temporary to cover for Lew Dewitt in the summer of 1982. I thought Jimmy was excellent. He wasn't Lew by any means. At the time I would have never thought Jimmy would replace Lew permanently, but on the next album, "Today" when I heard the last song, "In the Sweet By and By," I had to play that song over and over just to hear that harmony Jimmy gave on that song. It was beautiful!
Great story! So humble and heartfelt. It's a beautiful thing when the pieces come together, everything fits, and you just "know" it's right. Always makes me happy to hear about people who have worked so hard for so long finally get their big break. The big payoff. Makes it all worth it. On a side note, I wonder what happened to the guy next to him on the airplane. Would love for him to see this!
Thanks for uploading this interview! Always heard bits and pieces over the years of how Lew discovered Jimmy, and how Jimmy auditioned for the Statler Brothers, but never with this much detail! I saw Jimmy in what I think was his 3rd night with the Statlers on January 30, 1982, in Greensboro, NC. I was 11 years old at the time. Even at that young age, when I heard Jimmy sing for the first time, I knew it was one of the best voices I had ever heard and I was witnessing something special! Over the years, Jimmy lived the dream of all of us wanna-be Statler Brothers!
I listened to Jimmy Fortune while flipping thru channels a month ago. What a blessing he is. I needed a blessing that night and the Lord blessed me so that night!!
People dissing Jimmy Fortune really crack me up. He was the only choice by Harold, Don, and Phil, and he was hand-picked by Lew… But he’s not good enough for you.
It gives me chills listening to him tell this story!! Ppl don’t like change but the whole situation is awesome really bc I’m sure Jimmy taking over probably added several years to Lew’s life. Who knows? The Lord does. At least Lew didn’t have to feel guilty by stepping down.
I heard the others tell a different story true he was the first to audition but they kept coming back to him to hear his voice over and over again. I remember when this happened the local radio station said it was a nation wide search and that the Statlers were going city to city to listen to different singers. Always been a big fan of the Statlers with Lew or Jimmy their sound never really changed and Jimmy was underrated as a singer never got his dues owed to him.
Jimmy was kickin' ass before even being asked, which is WHY he was asked to join. Being the youngest guy in the band, he will probably be the legacy of the band. How can you not like Jimmy?
Jimmy Fortune is the ONLY artist that could have replaced Lee DeWitt in the group. Both had amazing tenor voices, I did miss the yodeling quality of Lew's voice but still loved the sound after Jimmy came on board.
I heard the Statlers in Florida when Jimmy first started singing with them. I loved Lew's voice & miss him not being with them but as I told Harold that night Jimmy just " fit" with them.
Thanks for sharing this with us, I'm not only huge, but also a huge fan of the Statler Brothers, Jimmy Fortune is an awesome performer with fantastic talent!
Sure interesting how you became a member of the Statler bros. I love the show you and Bradley, Ben, and Mike put on at Rory Feek's farm. I know I've watched it six or seven times, just so great.
Lou DeWitt will always be the original Statler Brother...... My Dad suffers with Chrones decease .... Love the Statler Brothers with Jimmy Fortune and Lou DeWitt
So glad another “ local boy” got the job!!❤❤ I truely believe that “the blend” has a lot to do with coming from the same area. LOVE STATLERS FOREVER!!❤❤
I first saw the Statler Brothers in Greensboro, NC and they introduced this young kid. As usual, Harold "picked" on him as only he could. I feel that was his way of saying he's one of us now.
I remember all the buzz about the song Elizabeth & mom had to have the Album which was titled Today great song I wonder what it would have sounded like if Lew sang it
Both Lew and Jimmy are/were great talents. Lew played a mean guitar and had a lilting sound. Everybody has their own taste, and I much prefer Jimmy. No disrespect to Lew, or anybody who liked his sound better. Love the Statler Brothers!!!!
When I first heard him sing "Elizabeth" I thought this guy needs to be on his own. He is simply too good for the Statler Bros. Jimmy has one of the few truly beautiful natural voices. He's never been fully appreciated by the masses. And, he's a nice guy to boot!
All you haters Jimmy Fortune made the Statler's sound better. Not That Lew didn't give the guy a break. He had a big hit Elizabeth when he came on with them. I hate to hear folks down a talented singer. Just enjoy him for what he gives.
Does anybody know when Jimmy's book is coming out? My best friend in elementary school and high school introduced me to the Statler Brothers. He passed from an epileptic seizure when he was 16 years old, but I'm still "carrying a torch" for him, and the Statler Brothers are the bedrock foundation of our friendship.
A little bit of trivia about "Elizabeth". Jimmy Fortune wrote the song about Elizabeth Taylor, and when Elizabeth found out about the song, she was so moved by the it that she asked the Statler Brothers to perform the song for her at her 52nd birthday in 1984. And even Don Reid said one of the highlights of the event was meeting Michael Jackson (at the height of Thriller no less), because everyone knows that Micheal and Elizabeth were soulmates, and her will asked that Jimmy perform the song at her funeral at Forest Lawn Glendale which is where she is interred in the Great Mausoleum.