Gene Watson's Peers: Statler Brothers
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's Peers who were contacted in 2006 were most gracious with their
time & words. It is here, within this special part of gene-watson.com, 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'.
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 & 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, 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 & 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, they joined the Johnny Cash road-show as the Statler Brothers,
which led to a recording contract with Columbia Records under their own name
& as backing vocalists for Johnny Cash. 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 & No.4 on the Hot 100 (pop music charts).
The Statler Brothers provided backing vocals on Johnny Cash's song 'Daddy
sang bass', which stayed at 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 & 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) & 'Do you know you are my
sunshine' (No.1 for 2 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 15 August 1990).
Jimmy Fortune proved himself to be an invaluable addition to the group, as
both a tenor singer & songwriter. He provided the Statler Brothers with
three No.1 country hits on Billboard; 'Elizabeth' (No.1 for 1 week in March
1984), 'My only love' (No.1 for 1 week in March 1985) & 'Too much on my
heart' (No.1 for 1 week in November/December 1985).
The Statler Brothers retired from recording & touring in 2001.
Gene Watson recorded the Statler Brothers' composition 'Her heart or mine'
(co-written by Harold & Don Reid) & 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
Visit Jimmy Fortune's Official Site
