In 1982, Jimmy Fortune joined The Statler Brothers as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt. At 26, Jimmy Fortune was stepping into one of the most recognizable harmony groups in country music, with no guarantee of a permanent place.
What happened next was remarkable. Jimmy Fortune had never written a song. Yet within a few years, Jimmy Fortune would write three of The Statler Brothers’ four No. 1 country hits.
And the story behind the first one, “Elizabeth,” began with an ordinary shopping trip, a Hollywood movie, and a name that seemed to follow Jimmy Fortune everywhere.
The Night That Changed Jimmy Fortune’s Life
Before joining The Statler Brothers, Jimmy Fortune worked in the service department of a Virginia car dealership. Most evenings were spent singing cover songs at hotels and clubs, sometimes six nights a week.
Over Thanksgiving weekend in 1981, Jimmy Fortune visited a local ski resort to sit in with musician friends. Lew DeWitt happened to be there.
Lew DeWitt was the original tenor of The Statler Brothers, the group famous for songs such as “Flowers on the Wall” and “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine.”
When Lew DeWitt needed time away from performing, Lew DeWitt recommended Jimmy Fortune as a possible substitute.
Following an audition in Nashville, Jimmy Fortune made a Statler Brothers stage debut on January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia.
By August, Jimmy Fortune had become a permanent member.
Replacing Lew DeWitt meant joining a musical partnership with years of history. Jimmy Fortune respected that history while bringing a distinctive tenor voice and an unexpected songwriting talent.
Harold Reid Gave Jimmy Fortune a Chance
Jimmy Fortune had spent years singing other people’s music. Long working hours had left little opportunity to experiment with songwriting.
After joining The Statler Brothers, Jimmy Fortune approached Harold Reid with a question: Would the group consider recording a song Jimmy Fortune wrote?
Harold Reid offered a straightforward answer:
“Yes, if it’s good enough.”
Jimmy Fortune already had a melody in mind. Finding the right words was another matter.
Then a series of seemingly unrelated encounters provided the inspiration.
The Strange Story Behind “Elizabeth”
Before a trip to Oklahoma, Jimmy Fortune stopped at a grocery store to buy supplies for the tour bus.
Inside, a mother repeatedly called out to a little girl named Elizabeth, who kept reaching for things on the shelves.
Later, traveling with The Statler Brothers, Jimmy Fortune watched the 1956 film Giant, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean.
Once again, the name Elizabeth was on Jimmy Fortune’s mind.
During a concert in Oklahoma, a woman approached the stage, took Jimmy Fortune’s hand, and repeatedly introduced herself as Elizabeth.
Three encounters with the same name had made an impression.
That night, Jimmy Fortune returned to the hotel and began putting words to the melody. Using a small recorder, Jimmy Fortune captured the beginnings of what would become “Elizabeth.”
The following day, Jimmy Fortune played the song for the other members of The Statler Brothers.
The group liked what Jimmy Fortune had written.
Released in 1983, “Elizabeth” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country chart in March 1984. It was Jimmy Fortune’s first composition and the first Statler Brothers chart-topper featuring Jimmy Fortune on lead vocals.
There was another memorable chapter. The Statler Brothers eventually performed “Elizabeth” for Elizabeth Taylor herself during a birthday celebration. But despite the Hollywood connection, the song had not originally been written specifically for Elizabeth Taylor.
Three No. 1 Hits and a Place in Country Music History
The success of “Elizabeth” was no accident that Jimmy Fortune could never repeat.
In 1985, “My Only Love” reached No. 1. Later that year, “Too Much on My Heart” followed it to the top.
Jimmy Fortune had now written three of The Statler Brothers’ four No. 1 country singles.
Jimmy Fortune also contributed songs such as “Forever” and co-wrote “More Than a Name on a Wall,” a moving tribute to American service members remembered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
By the time The Statler Brothers retired in 2002, Jimmy Fortune had spent more than two decades touring and recording with Harold Reid, Don Reid, and Phil Balsley.
What Happened After the Statler Brothers Retired?
Retirement from The Statler Brothers did not mean retirement from music for Jimmy Fortune.
In a later interview, Jimmy Fortune recalled advice Harold Reid offered before the group parted ways:
“Go be yourself. Do what you do best.”
Only eleven days after the group’s farewell, Jimmy Fortune opened for The Oak Ridge Boys, performing with little more than a guitar after years surrounded by a full band.
Jimmy Fortune later admitted feeling extremely nervous during that early solo appearance. Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys even rolled apples onto the stage as a joke, giving Jimmy Fortune an unexpected distraction.
The solo career continued, along with gospel recordings, collaborations, and performances for audiences who still loved those familiar Statler Brothers harmonies.
In 2008, Jimmy Fortune entered the Country Music Hall of Fame with The Statler Brothers, including original tenor Lew DeWitt.
More Than a Replacement
Lew DeWitt helped create the sound that made The Statler Brothers famous. Jimmy Fortune helped carry that sound into another successful chapter.
Those contributions do not have to compete.
Jimmy Fortune entered the group because Lew DeWitt recognized a talented young singer and recommended giving Jimmy Fortune an opportunity.
What began as a temporary assignment became 21 years of music, three No. 1 songs, and a permanent place in the history of one of country music’s most beloved vocal groups.
And it all started because Jimmy Fortune showed up to sing on a night that was supposed to be a night off.