The Statler Brothers
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The Statler Brothers were an American country music vocal group , which in 1955 in Virginia was founded.
Beginnings
In 1955, Harold Reid (1939-2020), Lew DeWitt (1938-1990), Philip Balsley (* 1939) and Joe McDorman founded the group in Staunton, Virginia under the name Four Star Quartet . Her first appearance took place in 1955 in front of 40 spectators in a local Methodist church.
In 1961 Joe McDorman was replaced by Don Reid, the younger brother of Harold Reid, and the name was changed to The Kingsmen . The group played a catchy, nostalgic country gospel . The unusually deep bass Harold Reid, which can be heard in almost every song, became a trademark. Its popularity in the Staunton region rose steadily. The number of appearances increased accordingly, although all band members were still working at this time.
In August 1963, first contact was made with Johnny Cash through a local concert promoter . He even managed to perform a few pieces for him. Cash was very positive, but then didn't let anyone hear from him. The later Statler Brothers did not give up and annoyed the big star until he added them to his show. Meanwhile, another group called The Kingsmen appeared. Without further ado they renamed themselves The Statler Brothers . The name supposedly comes from a box of paper towels, Statler Tissues , which happened to be on the table during the discussion about the renaming.
Career
Johnny Cash brought the quartet with the record company Columbia Records , with which he himself was also under contract. It was agreed that three singles would be produced. The first two attempts flopped, but the Lew DeWitt composition Flowers on the Wall reached high positions in both the country and pop charts and earned them two Grammys . The piece is now considered her most famous song. The drummer was WS Holland from Cash's band Tennessee Three . The Statler Brothers worked with Johnny Cash for more than eight years, including appearing at his concerts At Folsom Prison , At San Quentin and At Madison Square Garden and as a house band at the Johnny Cash Show . They thanked the man who paved the way for them with the song We Got Paid By Cash .
In 1969 the Statler Brothers switched to Mercury Records , where they were looked after by producer Jerry Kennedy , who should have a significant share in the success that followed. Harold Reid once referred to him as the fifth member of the Statler Brothers. Their first single Bed Of Roses already reached a top 10 position. The hit The Class Of '57 followed in 1972 and Carry Me Back in 1973 . The group produced numerous LPs during these years, including some concept albums. Many of her songs were original compositions, most of them written by Don Reid. Between 1972 and 1977 they were named " CMA Vocal Group of the Year" six times in a row .
In 1982, the sick Lew DeWitt was replaced by Jimmie Fortune . DeWitt died eight years later at the age of 52. Jimmie Fortune, who was also from the Staunton area, turned out to be a talented songwriter. His 1983 Elizabeth topped the country charts, as did My Only Love a year later and Too Much on My Heart in 1985 .
From 1991 the Statler Brothers had their own television show. The record successes became rarer, but a loyal fan base still stood by them. In 1994 a 3-CD compilation containing the most important songs from 30 years was released.
The Statler Brothers gave their last concert on October 22nd, 2002, and have since withdrawn from show business.
In 2008 they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame .
Discography
Columbia label
- Flowers on the Wall (1966)
- The Statler Brothers Sing the Big Hits (1967)
- Sing Oh Happy Day (1968)
- How Great Thou Art (1969)
Mercury label
- Bed of Roses (1970)
- Pictures of Moments to Remember (1971)
- Innerview (1972)
- Country Music - Then and Now (1972)
- Sing Country Symphonies in E Major (1972)
- Carry Me Back (1973)
- Alive at the Johnny Mack Brown High School (1974)
- Thank You World (1974)
- Sons of the Motherland (1974)
- Best Of ... Greatest Hits (1975)
- Holy Bible - Old Testament (1975) (US:
gold) - Holy Bible - New Testament (1975) (US: gold)
- Harold, Lew, Phil & Don (1976)
- The Country America Loves (1977)
- Short Stories (1977)
- Entertainers on & off the Record (1978)
- Christmas Card (1978)
- The Originals (1979)
- Best of Rides Again - Greatest Hits Vol. II (1979)
- 10th Anniversary (1980)
- Years Ago (1981)
- The Legend Goes On (1982)
- Today (1983)
- Atlanta Blue (1984)
- Partners in Rhyme (1985) (US: gold)
- Christmas Present (1985)
- Four for the Show (1986)
- Radio Gospel Favorites (1986)
- Maple Street Memories (1987)
- Greatest Hits Vol. III (1988)
- Statler Bros. Live (1989)
- Music, Memories & You (1990)
- All American Country (1991)
- Words and Music (1992)
- Today's Gospel Favorites (1993) (US: gold)
- Home (1993)
- 30th Anniversary Celebration (1994)
- Sing the Others (1995)
- Showtime (2001)
- Amen (2002)
Video albums
- 2003: Farewell Concert (US: gold)
- 2013: The Statler Brothers-Farewell Concert (US: gold)
Awards (selection)
- 1965 two Grammys Best New Country & Western Group and Best Contemporary Performance by a Group
- 1972 CMA Vocal Group of the Year - Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance
- 1973–1977 CMA Vocal Group of the Year
- 1979 and 1980 CMA Vocal Group of the Year
- 1984 CMA Vocal Group of the Year
swell
- ↑ US chart history
- ↑ a b US singles: Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2006. Billboard Books, New York 2007, ISBN 0-89820-172-1 . / US albums: The Billboard Albums by Joel Whitburn , 6th Edition, Record Research 2006, ISBN 0-89820-166-7 .
- ↑ Music Sales Awards: US