In the hallowed annals of country music, few stories carry the emotional weight and profound complexity as that of The Statler Brothers, a group that for decades seemed as solid and unbreakable as a Tennessee mountain. But behind the curtain of four-part harmonies and chart-topping hits lay a story of personal tragedy, impossible choices, and a brotherhood tested by fate. Today, in a moment of raw, unfiltered candor, frontman Don Reid has finally pulled back that curtain, shedding light on the heartbreaking decision that haunted the group for years: the moment they had to replace their original tenor, the beloved Lew DeWitt, with a fresh-faced, unknown singer named Jimmy Fortune.
The news sent shockwaves through the music community in the early 1980s. DeWitt, a founding member and the voice behind some of their most iconic sounds, was forced to step away due to his debilitating battle with Crohn’s disease. For the fans, it was unthinkable. For the Brothers, it was an agony that went far beyond the stage. “We were at a complete loss,” a somber Reid confessed, his voice heavy with the memory. “The thought of standing on that stage without Lew was just… unimaginable. He wasn’t just a singer in our group; he was our brother. We started this journey together in Staunton, Virginia, as kids with a dream.”
The pressure to continue was immense, not just from the industry but from their loyal fanbase. The search for a new tenor was not merely a casting call; it was a search for a new family member, an agonizing choice that fell on their shoulders. “It wasn’t just a musical decision,” Reid emphasized, his words cutting through the silence of the room. “It was a matter of the heart.” How could they possibly find someone to fill the shoes of a man who was not only a unique talent but a piece of their collective soul?
Then came Jimmy Fortune. Young, talented, but a complete unknown. Bringing him in was a monumental gamble. How would the fans react? How could this new dynamic possibly replicate the magic they had shared for so long? Reid recounted the tension and uncertainty of those early days. “We gathered in a hotel room, and we listened to this young man sing. The talent was undeniable, but the question lingered in all our minds: ‘Is this the right thing to do?’ It felt like a betrayal of our brother, Lew, but we also felt a duty to keep the music alive, something Lew himself wanted.” The decision, Reid admits, created a rift of emotion within the group, a silent struggle between loyalty and necessity. “Every chord we struck in those first few months with Jimmy felt different,” Reid stated, “it was a painful reminder of what we had lost.”
Video
Lew DeWitt, a founding member of the Statlers, had been with the group from the very beginning — his soaring tenor and warm spirit helping shape their unmistakable harmony and identity. But by the early 1980s, Lew’s battle with Crohn’s disease had taken its toll.
“Lew was in constant pain,” Don recalled. “But he never complained. He loved the music and he loved being on stage. Letting go wasn’t something any of us wanted to do — it was something we had to do.”
In 1982, with Lew’s health declining, the Statler Brothers made the heartbreaking decision to bring in a new voice. Enter Jimmy Fortune, a young singer from Virginia with a gentle spirit, powerful range, and big shoes to fill.
“We didn’t want a clone of Lew,” Don explained. “We wanted someone who could respect the legacy — and add something new to it.”
And that’s exactly what Jimmy did.
Don spoke candidly about how Lew himself helped make the transition easier, blessing the group’s decision and even offering encouragement to Jimmy. “That was just the kind of man Lew was,” Don said, his voice heavy with emotion. “Gracious, humble, and full of love. He didn’t see Jimmy as a threat. He saw him as family.”
The transition was emotional for fans, too. But over time, Jimmy not only honored Lew’s legacy — he built one of his own.
“Jimmy walked into the hardest role in country music, and he never once acted like he deserved it,” Don said. “He earned every note, every standing ovation.”
Today, looking back, Don says it wasn’t about replacing anyone. It was about continuing a mission — to make music that told the truth, healed hearts, and stayed rooted in brotherhood.
“We lost Lew far too soon,” Don said quietly. “But every time Jimmy sings, I hear a little of Lew in there too — not in the sound, but in the spirit.”
For fans of The Statler Brothers, this moment of reflection is a powerful reminder: behind every harmony was a story of pain, courage, and grace.
And if you want to feel what that transition sounded like, this song still carries both voices in its soul.
