What started out as a temporary gig for Jimmy Fortune turned into a wonderful 21-year partnership with the legendary Statler Brothers, and country music fans everywhere were the beneficiaries.
Fortune first joined the Statler Brothers as a tempoary fill-in for Lew DeWitt after DeWitt took a break from touring due to a battle with Crohn's disease. Ironically, DeWitt was the one who recommended Fortune after hearing him sing at a ski resort.
Fortune performed his first show with the Statlers on January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia. After DeWitt's health prevented him from returning to the group, Fortune was hired later that year as a permanent replacement.
Although the Statler Brothers retired more than 16 years ago, Fortune's musical career is still going strong, and he'll bring his blend of Statler Brothers hits, contemporary Christian and Southern Gospel music to Russellville's Roxy Theatre on Saturday, November 2.
Alabama Crimson Tide fans need not worry about missing a game, as the Tide is off that week. Franklin County musician Joseph Baldwin will open the show at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the show are $35 for premium reserved seating in the front ten rows. Reserved floor seating from rows 10 back are $35/ticket. Tickets may be ordered by calling WGOL-FM at 256-332-0214; at WGOL studio, 113 Washington Ave. NW, in downtown Russellville; or by visiting Briarfork Entertainment on their Facebook page or at www.briarforkrecords.com.
A portion of all ticket sales will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of the Tennessee Valley.
“We are so excited to bring the legendary Jimmy Fortune to Russellville's Roxy Theatre,” said Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council chairperson Susie Malone.
The concert is sponsored by Briarfork Records and Entertainment.
Fortune penned the Statler Brothers' second number one hit, "Elizabeth," in 1983. He followed that with two more number one hits, "My Only Love" and "Too Much on My Heart."
Fortune also co-wrote the Statlers' 1988 top-10 hit, "More Than a Name On The Wall."
Fans may remember Fortune and the other band members from their television show on The Nashville Network, fittingly titled The Statler Brothers Show, which aired for seven seasons.
Fortune's touring schedule remains extensive, and he continues his career as a songwriter as well. In 2015, he released Hits & Hymns, which reached the top ten on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart.
Fortune and the Statler Brothers were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Country Music Association Hall of Fame the following year.
In 2017, Fortune released a compilation of his favorite songs titled Jimmy Fortune Sings the Classics on the Gaither music label. He continues to work with Gaither music, and Fortune released his latest album, God and Country, in May of this year.
“Please join us for a fantastic night of music with Jimmy Fortune and special guest Joseph Baldwin," said Jim Anderson of Briarfork Records. "We hope this will be the first of many shows we will have at Russellville's Roxy Theatre."
