StatlerBrothers

Pop music was truly in its heyday in the mid 1960s. New styles and sounds came from a variety of sources; everything from folk to the British invasion. Artists as diverse as Frank Sinatra, the Kinks, Lulu and Roger Miller could be number one in any given week. It was in this environment that the quirky sound of Lew DeWitt's "Flowers On the Wall" topped the charts and garnered the Statlers a Grammy Award.

Around the time of this first -- and for a while only -- hit song, the Statlers joined the Johnny Cash show, which in the 1960's was a country music tour de force that has arguably never been duplicated. Cash was one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, and he headlined a road show that featured June Carter, the Carter Family, Carl Perkins, the Statler Brothers, and a few other acts. In 1969 Johnny Cash records outsold everything else on the planet. By then his success began to rub off on the Statlers, and the group began its second meteoric rise.

Moving from Cash's Columbia label and an annoying folk sound that sought to capitalize on the success of "Flowers," Mercury Records producer Jerry Kennedy turned the Statlers into a country symphony. Beginning with "Bed of Roses", the boys from Virginia enjoyed gold and platinum records, chart topping singles and awards through the next three decades. The Reids handled the bulk of the song writing, and on the biggest hits, each member was assigned a verse as lead vocalist. Subject matter was slanted toward straightforward stories of life, love and memories in the heartland. By the time the hits slowed in the early 1990's, they were rightfully established as one of America's most beloved music groups.

Their flawless recordings were complemented by a humorous, personable stage presence; the act was later turned into a top rated cable tv program that harkened back to the halcyon days of the weekly variety show. As proof of their staying power, at the height of the group's chart success, co-lead Lew DeWitt was forced to leave due to an illness. His replacement was another local, Jimmy Fortune. The styles fit so well that the Statlers scarcely missed a beat, charging immediately back to the top of the country charts. To understand the Statler's appeal you have to consider that even today, close to 20 years later, Fortune is still referred to as "the new guy."

Approaching the new millenium, Happy Birthday USA is but a memory, the Statler's fan base is aging, and their voices are beginning to follow suit. Even so, every show is still a sure sell-out; still a concert happening that passes much too quickly. If you ever have the opportunity to see one, you will understand why they remain unchallenged as "The Most Awarded Act in the History of Country Music."




				The most awarded act in the history of country music: The Statler Brothers Pop music was truly in its heyday in the mid 1960s. New styles and sounds came from a variety of sources; everything from folk to the British invasion. Artists as diverse as Frank Sinatra, the Kinks, Lulu and Roger Miller could be number one in any given week. It was in this environment that the quirky sound of Lew DeWitt's "Flowers On the Wall" topped the charts and garnered the Statlers a Grammy Award. Around the time of this first -- and for a while only -- hit song, the Statlers joined the Johnny Cash show, which in the 1960's was a country music tour de force that has arguably never been duplicated. Cash was one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, and he headlined a road show that featured June Carter, the Carter Family, Carl Perkins, the Statler Brothers, and a few other acts. In 1969 Johnny Cash records outsold everything else on the planet. By then his success began to rub off on the Statlers, and the group began its second meteoric rise. Moving from Cash's Columbia label and an annoying folk sound that sought to capitalize on the success of "Flowers," Mercury Records producer Jerry Kennedy turned the Statlers into a country symphony. Beginning with "Bed of Roses", the boys from Virginia enjoyed gold and platinum records, chart topping singles and awards through the next three decades. The Reids handled the bulk of the song writing, and on the biggest hits, each member was assigned a verse as lead vocalist. Subject matter was slanted toward straightforward stories of life, love and memories in the heartland. By the time the hits slowed in the early 1990's, they were rightfully established as one of America's most beloved music groups. Their flawless recordings were complemented by a humorous, personable stage presence; the act was later turned into a top rated cable tv program that harkened back to the halcyon days of the weekly variety show. As proof of their staying power, at the height of the group's chart success, co-lead Lew DeWitt was forced to leave due to an illness. His replacement was another local, Jimmy Fortune. The styles fit so well that the Statlers scarcely missed a beat, charging immediately back to the top of the country charts. To understand the Statler's appeal you have to consider that even today, close to 20 years later, Fortune is still referred to as "the new guy." Approaching the new millenium, Happy Birthday USA is but a memory, the Statler's fan base is aging, and their voices are beginning to follow suit. Even so, every show is still a sure sell-out; still a concert happening that passes much too quickly. If you ever have the opportunity to see one, you will understand why they remain unchallenged as "The Most Awarded Act in the History of Country Music." Back to Happy Birthday USA