Just 20 minutes ago in Staunton, Virginia, an unforgettable and heartbreaking tribute unfolded as Don Reid and fellow Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune left the audience in tears during a surprise performance honoring Don’s late brother, Harold Reid. This was not merely a concert but a profound moment where memory, grief, and love converged into a powerful song that echoed through the hearts of all present.
What began as a modest evening for Don Reid to share stories and melodies from the legendary career of the Statler Brothers soon transformed into something far more emotional and deeply touching for those who came expecting nostalgia. Midway through the show, Don paused with a quiet but steady voice, gazing over the familiar hometown faces.
“This was always our stage. And tonight… I stand here without him,” Don said solemnly, referring to his late brother Harold Reid, the booming bass voice, comedian, and heart of the Statler Brothers who passed away in 2020. The room fell silent, weighed down by the overwhelming presence of Harold’s absence yet undeniable spirit.
At that poignant moment, Jimmy Fortune—Harold’s longtime bandmate and Don’s dear friend—stepped forward beside Don. Without any introduction or fanfare, the two began to sing. The weight of history carried in their voices was unmistakable, the harmony born not from rehearsal but from decades of shared laughter, shared grief, and unbreakable bonds.
The audience leaned in, many visibly moved to tears as Fortune’s soaring tenor and Don’s steady lead created a haunting harmony that filled the space Harold once anchored. Every chord ached with the void left behind by Harold’s unmistakable voice, which had once completed the unique Statler Brothers sound.
As the song grew, the emotional intensity in the room surged. Tears streamed down cheeks as hands clasped and some bowed heads in silent prayer. Others let the music wash over them, witnessing a moment that transcended performance and felt more like a shared act of remembrance.
By the final verse, Don’s voice trembled and faltered, yet Jimmy Fortune stood firm, harmonizing beside him. Together they sang as if Harold were listening just beyond the veil—and perhaps, in spirit, he truly was.
When the last note faded, the sanctuary remained still before the audience slowly rose for a solemn standing ovation of gratitude—gratitude for the music, the memories, and the courage of two men singing through their profound grief.
For Don Reid, this night in Staunton was deeply personal. This city was the genesis of the Statler Brothers’ journey—where Harold’s laughter once filled backstage areas, where family and music forged an unbreakable bond. Standing on that stage without his brother was an act of both sorrow and incomparable strength.
The tribute carried equal significance for Jimmy Fortune, who joined the Statlers in 1982 and became like family himself. For nearly two decades, Fortune sang beside Harold, sharing a brotherhood of the soul. His presence beside Don reminded everyone that while one voice is gone, the family of music endures.
This performance confirmed what fans have long known—the Statler Brothers were much more than a musical group; they were a family bound together by shared experiences and emotions. Even in the face of loss, family finds ways to carry each other forward.
As Don said before leaving the stage, “This was always our stage. And tonight, though I stand here without Harold, I know I don’t stand here alone.”
On this unforgettable night in Staunton, Virginia, music transformed into memory, and memory became a lasting legacy. Though Harold Reid’s voice may be silent, his song lives on in the harmonies of Don Reid and Jimmy Fortune, forever echoing in the hearts of all who heard.
