For 21 remarkable years, Jimmy Fortune sang tenor for The Statler Brothers, becoming one of the defining voices of one of country and gospel music’s most beloved groups. Yet the story of how he joined the legendary quartet is one of humility, friendship, and extraordinary generosity.
The opportunity came because Lew DeWitt, the Statlers’ original tenor, personally recommended Jimmy to take his place. DeWitt had been with the group from its earliest days and was an essential part of its signature harmony. Beyond his unmistakable voice, he was also a gifted songwriter whose composition, “Flowers on the Wall,” became the Statler Brothers’ breakthrough crossover hit. Released in 1965, the song climbed both the country and pop charts and earned the group their first Grammy Award, introducing their unique sound to millions of listeners.
By the early 1980s, however, DeWitt’s health had deteriorated as he battled Crohn’s disease, making it increasingly difficult for him to continue touring. Rather than allowing the group he loved to struggle without him, he recommended Jimmy Fortune—a talented young singer from Virginia whom he believed possessed not only the vocal ability to sing the demanding tenor parts but also the character to fit seamlessly into the Statler family.
Jimmy initially joined as a temporary replacement while DeWitt focused on his health. But as DeWitt’s condition prevented him from returning full-time, Jimmy became a permanent member of the quartet in 1982. Understanding the significance of following someone so respected, Jimmy approached the role with deep humility. Instead of trying to replace Lew DeWitt, he sought to honor the foundation DeWitt had helped build.
Over the next two decades, Jimmy became an integral part of the Statler Brothers’ continued success. His soaring tenor voice blended beautifully with Don Reid, Harold Reid, and Phil Balsley, while his songwriting talents produced memorable hits such as “Elizabeth,” “More Than a Name on a Wall,” and “Too Much on My Heart.” His contributions helped the group remain one of country music’s most respected vocal acts throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, Jimmy Fortune often speaks with gratitude about the man who opened that life-changing door. He has repeatedly acknowledged that his career with the Statler Brothers began because Lew DeWitt believed in him. It is a reminder that one of country music’s most enduring legacies was shaped not only by extraordinary talent, but also by an act of remarkable generosity from a founding member who wanted the music—and the harmony—to continue long after he could no longer stand on stage.