The Statler Brothers – Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid – was the premier group in country music for nearly 40 years. Starting out in 1964 as backup for Johnny Cash on stage, records and TV, they served their apprenticeship with him for nearly nine years. During that time they recorded their first hit record, “Flowers on the Wall”, and were regulars on the weekly “Johnny Cash Show” on ABC. Leaving the Cash troupe in 1972, they continued with such hit songs as “Bed of Rose’s”, “Class of ’57″ and “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You.” Their original harmonies, sense of humor and lyrical style of writing highlighted a career that led them to the top of the music charts countless times and to a concert touring success that packed arenas and theaters with every performance. They have also appeared at the White House a total of five times. Their award winning (Grammys, CMAs, Gold and Platinum records and etc) is legendary and they are considered to be the most honored of any act in the country music field. The 90s saw them starring in their own television series, “The Statler Brothers Show,” on TNN (The Nashville Network) for seven years and remaining the number one show on the network its entire run. Deciding to retire from a lifetime of traveling and enjoy the good life in their homes in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, they gave their farewell concert in the fall of 2002. Although no longer touring, the group remained active, releasing a new gospel album, Amen, on Crossroads Records and following it in 2003 with a CD/DVD of their final show. In 2006, Mercury Records released Favorites, a 12-song compilation handpicked by the band’s remaining members.
