Hit-Country Music: The Statler Brothers

An Interview with Country Music Hall of Famers Harold and Don Reid

Dec 22, 2008 Lisa L. Rollins

They began in 1955 as teens, performing as a gospel quartet in their Staunton, Va., hometown, and went on to become the most-awarded group in country history.

Today, more than four decades since their first performance, The Statler Brothers—baritone Phil Balsley, siblings Harold and Don Reid, tenor Jimmy Fortune and the late Lew DeWitt—have amassed a treasure trove of memories, millions of record sales and legions of devoted country music fans.

Retired from performing since 2002, the Grammy-winning quartet’s real-life brothers, bass singer Harold and lead singer Don, recently penned and released Random Memories, a 260-plus page autobiography from Yell Publishing. Since that time, however, the act’s gone on to achieve even greater success; namely, its induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Country SIngers Among 2008 Country Music Hall of Famers

Recalling news of the induction, Don, in a Nov. 24, 2008, interview with Suite 101, said he and his fellow musicians—whose long string of top-10 country hits includes Flowers on the Wall, Bed of Roses, Do You Remember These, Class of ’57, I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You, Do You Know You are My Sunshine and Elizabeth, to name a few—were taken aback and “never had really ever thought about that” ever happening.

“We saw that as something that happened to other people,” he said of the Country Music Hall of Fame honor. “and thought that, probably, there was a lot of other people that’d go in before us, so we never let it cross our minds. “But it was a magical night,” he added of the induction ceremony, “and it was maybe the greatest honor we’ve had in our career. It was one of the better times.”

Country Music or Bust: No Back-up Plan for Gospel-meets-Country Music Group

For fans, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to imagine the country music soundscape without the Statlers’ harmonies. But for the quartet, there was never another option.

“If not for music, oh boy,” Don remarked. “Well, we were too stubborn to even consider that. I am sure somewhere along the way that we had one, but it’s gone with the ages now.”

“I can tell you, I think, that starvation was mine,” chimed Harold. “I thought it was either this, or absolutely nothing else was gonna work in my life. Like Don said, we didn’t consider anything else.”

The Statler Brothers Combine Concert Tours, Hit Songs, Country Awards and Home

When the Statlers were working to establish their music careers, most of the lineup had full-time responsibilities at home. Juggling home life with the erratic music industry was difficult at best.

“(We did) anything that it took,” Harold said. “We were actually traveling practically all night, several nights a week, getting’ back and goin’ to work. And we decided, ‘Boy, something’s got to break here. Either we’re gonna have to stay here and go to work, or we’re gonna get in the old car and take off.’ And we got in the old car and took off.”

Although their success is now legendary, the Reids readily shared that, along the way, there was a personal price to pay.

“Somewhere after the kids came along, we all missed out on little things,” Don said. “You know, church plays, school plays and ball games and things. We tried to make up for it when we were home, but often things would happen and you sat onstage at night and thought, ‘Gosh, I wish I was at home going to the kids’ program’ or something like that. So those little things, there are sacrifices.”

Hit-Country Record Reflection of Statler Brothers' 'Better Halves'

For the Staunton, Va.-based players, family has always been a top priority, even though the music industry isn’t necessarily conducive to nurturing one’s home. However, the Statlers have consistently worked to keep their respective faith in God, solid values and family lives first, and in 1975, the players put their wives on the cover of their triple-platinum Best of The Statlers record.

Dressed in vintage clothing the “better halves” of Phil, original tenor Lew, Harold and Don were featured on the sepia-tinted album cover on what could be interpreted as a subtle “family first” statement and testament to their importance in the lives of the quartet.

“Our theme there was ‘The Best of The Statler Brothers,’ so we always figured they were the best of each of us,” Harold noted, matter-of-factly.

As for the wives’ reaction to being showcased front and center, “They were willing to do it. They didn’t care,” recalled Harold. “That (album’s) been around for awhile and it was really successful for us, so maybe the picture idea had something to do with it.”

“It’s still out there—it’s still around,” Don added. “I just saw it in a record rack this week.”

Country Music Fans Long for Statlers to Return to Concert Touring

As for life after retirement, the Reids reported the quarter’s enjoying it a great deal, thanks for asking. And yes, fans still clamor for a comeback that won’t likely come.

“There’s a million people who’ve asked, ‘When are you gonna come back and do another … farewell tour?” Harold said. “But we pretty much, when we make those decisions, we kind of stick with them, which is exactly what we’ve done here.

“We’ve all known entertainers who, and you can think of 10 right off, I’m sure, and they weren’t retired 20 minutes until they were back doing another tour and recording another album," he added. "It happens a lot, but we try to make better decisions that that and make it work for us.”

“We’ve had a lot of offers to go into the studio,” Don added. “We’ve thought about it, but never as far as touring. I don’t think that will ever happen. We’re not interested in that at all. But maybe the studio. We’ll see.”

Source

Personal communication, Don and Harold Reid, Nov. 24, 2008.

The copyright of the article Hit-Country Music: The Statler Brothers in Country Music is owned by Lisa L. Rollins. Permission to republish Hit-Country Music: The Statler Brothers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.