Gene Watson Peer's Quote from The Statler Brothers: September 2006
Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2006 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from The Statler Brothers, which they submitted to this site on Monday 18 September 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to The Statler Brothers who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
The Statler Brothers
This quote was submitted on Monday 18 September 2006.
'Gene Watson is probably the greatest country singer of all time.
If there was a song, a performance, a track and a singer to be placed in a time capsule to tell the world forever more what country music was and is, it should be 'Farewell Party' by Gene Watson'.
Thank you, The Statler Brothers, for your support of Gene Watson.
About The Statler Brothers...
The Statler Brothers were formed in 1955 as The Kingsmen by Lew DeWitt, Philip Balsley and Harold Reid at the Lyndhurst Methodist Church in Staunton, Virginia. By 1960, Harold's brother Don had joined the group as their lead vocalist.
In 1963, The Statler Brothers joined the Johnny Cash road-show as The Statler Brothers, which led to a recording contract with Columbia Records under their own name and as backing vocalists for Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003). They selected their name off a box of facial tissues, which were manufactured in Massachusetts.
The Statler Brothers enjoyed their first hit with 'Flowers On The Wall' in 1966, when the song went to No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart and No.4 on the Hot 100 (pop music charts).
The Statler Brothers provided backing vocals on Johnny Cash's song 'Daddy Sang Bass', which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for six weeks in January/February 1969.
The Statler Brothers signed with Mercury Records in 1970 and recorded their first session with producer Jerry Kennedy in September of that year. Their tally of hit recordings included 'Do You Remember These' (No.2 in 1972), 'I'll Go To My Grave Loving You' (No.3 in 1975) and 'Do You Know You Are My Sunshine' (No.1 for two weeks in May/June 1978).
Jimmy Fortune joined The Statler Brothers in June 1982. He replaced Lew DeWitt who was suffering from Crohn's Disease; Lew succumbed to the disease on Wednesday 15 August 1990.
Jimmy Fortune proved himself to be an invaluable addition to the group, as both a tenor singer and songwriter. Jimmy provided The Statler Brothers with three No.1 country hits on the Billboard country music singles chart; 'Elizabeth' (No.1 for one week in March 1984), 'My Only Love' (No.1 for one week in March 1985) and 'Too Much On My Heart' (No.1 for one week in November/December 1985).
The Statler Brothers retired from recording, and from touring, in 2001.
Gene Watson recorded The Statler Brothers' composition 'Her Heart Or Mine' (co-written by Harold Reid and Don Reid) and included the track on 'Honky Tonk Crazy' (Epic Records, 1987); The Statler Brothers' version of 'Her Heart Or Mine' was included on 'Pardners In Rhyme' (Mercury Records, 1985).
Visit Statler Brothers' Official Site