In 1981, Lew DeWitt heard a young singer perform Roy Orbison’s “Crying” at a Virginia ski resort. Within months, that singer would be standing in Lew DeWitt’s place onstage with The Statler Brothers.
What makes the story remarkable is that Lew DeWitt personally recommended Jimmy Fortune for the job.
Lew DeWitt had helped build one of country music’s most recognizable vocal groups. Jimmy Fortune was a talented but relatively unknown singer working long nights in Virginia clubs. Their paths crossed almost by accident, beginning a friendship and a remarkable chapter in The Statler Brothers’ history.
A Chance Meeting at Wintergreen Resort
Around Thanksgiving 1981, Jimmy Fortune had a rare night away from a demanding schedule. Jimmy Fortune worked during the day at a car dealership and performed music at night, often six evenings a week.
Some musician friends invited Jimmy Fortune to join them at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia. Jimmy Fortune accepted, even though it meant spending a night off singing again.
Lew DeWitt happened to be there.
Jimmy Fortune performed several songs, including Roy Orbison’s “Crying.” Lew DeWitt liked what Lew DeWitt heard and approached Jimmy Fortune afterward to compliment the young singer’s voice.
At the time, Jimmy Fortune had no reason to expect anything more from the encounter.
But Lew DeWitt was dealing with a serious problem. Crohn’s disease had increasingly interfered with the demanding touring schedule of The Statler Brothers. After receiving hospital treatment in late 1981, Lew DeWitt needed an extended break.
When The Statler Brothers began looking for a temporary tenor, Lew DeWitt recommended Jimmy Fortune.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Jimmy Fortune later recalled receiving a telephone call from Billy James, the group’s bass player, explaining that The Statler Brothers wanted to meet.
Jimmy Fortune attended an initial meeting despite having laryngitis. The group subsequently invited Jimmy Fortune to Nashville for another audition, where the musicians could determine whether the voices blended together.
According to Jimmy Fortune’s own account, The Statler Brothers had already auditioned 26 singers.
The opportunity was originally temporary. Lew DeWitt was expected to be away for approximately six months, and Jimmy Fortune understood that the job involved helping the group continue performing until Lew DeWitt could return.
On January 28, 1982, Jimmy Fortune performed the first concert with The Statler Brothers in Savannah, Georgia.
For a young Virginia musician who had admired the group, the experience was extraordinary.
But the temporary assignment soon became something neither singer had originally planned.
When Six Months Became 21 Years
During 1982, Lew DeWitt attempted to resume working with The Statler Brothers. Unfortunately, continuing the group’s demanding schedule proved too difficult.
Lew DeWitt ultimately stepped away permanently, and Jimmy Fortune became the group’s full-time tenor.
Years later, Jimmy Fortune revealed another surprising detail. During the temporary assignment, two record labels had expressed interest in discussing a possible solo recording career after Jimmy Fortune finished working with The Statler Brothers.
When the chance to remain with the group appeared, Jimmy Fortune chose The Statler Brothers instead.
Jimmy Fortune has explained that the decision reflected gratitude toward the musicians who had offered such an important opportunity, along with uncertainty about beginning a solo career so early.
The decision would shape the next two decades.
A New Voice Brings New Songs
Jimmy Fortune did more than sing the tenor parts. Jimmy Fortune became one of the group’s important songwriters.
In 1984, “Elizabeth,” written by Jimmy Fortune, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country chart. “My Only Love” and “Too Much on My Heart” followed as No. 1 hits in 1985.
Jimmy Fortune also co-wrote “More Than a Name on a Wall” with John Rimel. Released in 1989, the song became another memorable Statler Brothers recording.
The Statler Brothers continued performing successfully until retiring from touring in 2002.
Still, Jimmy Fortune never treated the group’s earlier history as something to leave behind.
The Visit Jimmy Fortune Never Forgot
Lew DeWitt died on August 15, 1990, at age 53.
In a later interview, Jimmy Fortune recalled maintaining contact with Lew DeWitt after the lineup change. About a month before Lew DeWitt’s death, Jimmy Fortune visited the former Statler Brother at home.
Jimmy Fortune remembered spending time with Lew DeWitt and Lew DeWitt’s wife, Judy. Looking back, Jimmy Fortune expressed gratitude for having made that visit while Lew DeWitt was still alive.
There was another way Jimmy Fortune kept that connection alive.
Jimmy Fortune explained that solo concerts included a tribute to Lew DeWitt through “Flowers on the Wall,” the song Lew DeWitt had written and The Statler Brothers had made famous in the 1960s.
It was a fitting tribute from one tenor to another.
Lew DeWitt had recognized Jimmy Fortune’s talent before most country music fans knew the name. Jimmy Fortune went on to spend 21 years with The Statler Brothers, helping create an important second chapter in the group’s history.
And long after Jimmy Fortune had earned a place in country music, the singer still made room onstage for the song written by the man who opened that door.