The Statler Brothers
| Company type | Vocal group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Headquarters | Staunton, Virginia , United States |
| Products | Country music, gospel music recordings and performances |
The Statler Brothers—also known simply as The Statlers—were a prominent American country music, gospel, and vocal ensemble originating from Staunton, Virginia. Established in 1955, they initially performed locally before becoming the opening act and backing vocalists for Johnny Cash between 1964 and 1972.
Their beginnings were rooted in Southern gospel, performing under the names The Four Star Quartet and later The Kingsmen. In 1963, they adopted the name Statler Brothers following the rise of another band named The Kingsmen. Although called "Brothers," only Don and Harold Reid were siblings, and none of the members bore the surname Statler; the group's name was inspired by a facial tissue brand spotted in a hotel room. Don Reid took on lead vocals, Harold Reid provided bass harmonies, Phil Balsley sang baritone, and Lew DeWitt contributed tenor vocals while playing guitar until health problems led to his replacement by Jimmy Fortune in 1981.
Their musical approach combined their gospel roots with country harmonies. Most of their albums featured at least one gospel track, with some devoted entirely to gospel music. They also produced tribute recordings honoring influential groups such as The Blackwood Brothers and Johnny Cash, who played a pivotal role in discovering and mentoring them.
Career
Before settling on the name The Statler Brothers, Joe McDorman served as the group's lead vocalist.
The ensemble’s earliest performances took place at Lyndhurst Methodist Church near Staunton, Virginia, under the moniker The Four Star Quartet. Beginning in 1964, they embarked on an eight-year period as Johnny Cash’s opening performers and backup singers—a chapter commemorated in their tune "We Got Paid by Cash". They were frequent guests on The Johnny Cash Show from 1969 to 1971 and parted ways amicably with Cash’s group in the mid-1970s to concentrate on their independent career.
Among their most recognizable hits are "Flowers on the Wall", penned by Lew DeWitt and marking their initial major success, alongside the socially aware "Bed of Rose's". Throughout the 1980s, they gained significant exposure on The Nashville Network (TNN), where their music videos received regular rotation. From 1991 until 1998, they hosted The Statler Brothers Show, which stood as TNN’s highest-rated weekly variety program for seven consecutive years.
Their popularity was enhanced by blending musical performances with comedic elements, largely attributed to Harold Reid’s witty stage presence. This dual talent earned them nominations in both comedy and vocal categories. Additionally, they released two comedy-focused albums under the alias Lester "Roadhog" Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys. Their album Country Music Then and Now included a side parodying small-town radio broadcasts.
The Statler Brothers secured four chart-topping singles on the Billboard charts: "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine" (1978), "Elizabeth" (1984), along with "My Only Love" and "Too Much on My Heart" both released in 1985. Since their inception, they have produced over 40 albums.
In 1980, they acquired their former Beverley Manor elementary school located in Staunton and transformed it into a multifunctional facility comprising offices, a museum, an auditorium, and storage for their tour buses. Eventually, this property was sold and reverted back to educational use under Grace Christian Church.
Starting in 1970, The Statlers performed annually for a quarter-century at Staunton’s "Happy Birthday USA" Independence Day celebration held in Gypsy Hill Park. This event drew crowds reaching up to 100,000 attendees and showcased notable country artists including Mel Tillis and Charley Pride. Their bond with Staunton is also immortalized in their song "Staunton, Virginia" from the 1973 album Do You Love Me Tonight.
Lew DeWitt stepped down from the group in 1982 due to declining health and pursued a solo career until his passing in 1990 at age 52 from complications related to Crohn's disease.
Harold Reid (born August 21, 1939) passed away on April 24, 2020, after enduring a prolonged struggle with kidney failure at age 80.
Awards
- Top Vocal Group – 1972
- Top Vocal Group – 1977
- Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – 2016
- Vocal Group of the Year – 1972 through 1977
- Vocal Group of the Year – 1979, 1980, and 1984
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Enshrined in 2008
- Inducted in 2007
- Best New Country & Western Artist – 1965
- Best Contemporary (R&R) Performance – Group (Vocal or Instrumental) for "Flowers on the Wall" – 1965
- Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "The Class of '57" – 1972
- Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group from 1979 to 1981
Retirement
Following a final tour concluding on October 26, 2002, the group officially disbanded. Phil Balsley and Don Reid continue to reside in Staunton, as did Harold Reid until his passing in April 2020. Jimmy Fortune moved to Nashville, where he pursued a solo career, releasing three albums under his own name. The Statler Brothers rank among country music's most decorated ensembles.
Don Reid Jr. has established a successful writing career with six published books. Together with his sons Donald III ("Debo") and Langdon, he co-authored You Know It's Christmas When . . . He also collaborated with Harold Reid on the group's biography, Random Memories, which was published in 2008. In 2020, Reid released The Music of the Statler Brothers, a compilation celebrating their songwriting legacy.
Grandstaff/Wilson Fairchild
In the 1990s, Wil and Langdon Reid—sons of Harold and Don respectively—formed the duo known as Grandstaff. They recorded a tribute titled "The Statler Brothers Song" in 2007. To address frequent mispronunciations of their original name, they adopted the moniker Wilson Fairchild in 2010, derived from their middle names.
Kim and Karmen Reid, daughters of Harold, briefly performed as a country duo during the early 1980s and made a guest appearance on Hee Haw.
Influence
The Statler Brothers were instrumental in redirecting country music’s nostalgic themes from rural settings toward suburban life. Renowned author Kurt Vonnegut referred to them as "America's Poets." The bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent regularly includes Statler Brothers’ songs in their quartet performances and occasionally tours with Jimmy Fortune.
Members and years active
- Joe McDorman – lead vocals (1955–1959)
- Lew DeWitt – tenor vocals, guitar (1955–1982; deceased 1990)
- Phil Balsley – baritone vocals (1955–2002)
- Harold Reid – bass vocals (1955–2002; deceased 2020)
- Don Reid – lead vocals (1959–2002)
- Jimmy Fortune – tenor vocals, guitar (1982–2002)
External links
- Country music groups from Virginia
- Country Music Hall of Fame inductees
- Grammy Award winners
- Musical groups from Virginia
- Vocal quartets
- Musical groups established in 1955
- Musical groups disestablished in 2002
- Columbia Records artists
- Mercury Records artists
- 1955 establishments in Virginia
- 2002 disestablishments in Virginia