When Jimmy Fortune steps onto the stage, an extraordinary silence falls over the crowd. No flashing lights, no spectacle—only a man, his voice, and an intimate story ready to unfold. The moment he begins to sing his signature song, whether you call it “Far Side Banks of Jordan” or “Elizabeth”, time itself seems to halt.
Fans across generations have always claimed that Jimmy’s voice does more than just sing—it reaches into the soul. This deep connection is never truer than when he performs the very songs he immortalized as a member of The Statler Brothers and later as a solo artist carrying a testimony all his own.
Of all his legendary pieces, it’s the soaring ballad “Elizabeth”—which he wrote and performed with The Statler Brothers—that countless listeners describe as the most unforgettable. Jimmy shared in a moving interview: “That song changed my life. I wrote it from a place of pure heart. I had no idea it would become the song people still ask for after all these years.”
But it’s not just the powerful lyrics—it’s how he sings it. From the very first note, Jimmy’s tenor pierces the silence like a prayer. His eyes close, hand pressed firmly over his heart as he climbs into the chorus, revealing a performance that transcends music to become pure ministry.
Audience members are often unprepared for the emotional storm that follows. One fan tearfully recounted, “I’ve heard ‘Elizabeth’ a hundred times, but when Jimmy sang it live, I cried. I didn’t expect that. He wasn’t just singing. He was living it.”
Another tear-inducing moment comes with “Far Side Banks of Jordan,” a haunting gospel duet Jimmy performs in heartfelt tribute to lost loved ones. This song carries deeply personal meanings, especially after he mourned the loss of Statler Brothers’ founding member Harold Reid in 2020. Jimmy confessed, “Every time I sing it, I picture the people I’ve lost. I picture them waiting for me on the far side banks. I can barely get through it.”
This emotional weight, the humble delivery, and authentic connection with his audience elevate Jimmy Fortune’s appearances from mere concerts to healing experiences. Even now, decades after becoming the “new guy” in The Statler Brothers, he tours the country, favoring intimate venues—churches, small towns—places where his music can truly be felt and experienced.
In his own words, “I never chased stardom. I just wanted to touch people’s hearts. And if one song can do that… then I’ve done what I was called to do.”
So, if you’ve never heard Jimmy Fortune sing “Elizabeth” or “Far Side Banks of Jordan” live, be prepared. Because when he does, you won’t just hear it… you’ll feel it. And chances are, you’ll leave speechless.
