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A #7 hit for the Statlers from late May 1979. They first performed the song on the 1978 CMA Awards show and received a huge ovation. I was at that show and the line that everybody was talking about afterward was “…get a gimic like Charley Pride got….” Pure genius. Written by Harold & Don Reid.
The Lew Dewitt version of the Statler Brothers was absolutely my favorite all-time country vocal group . Jimmy Fortune, Lew’s replacement was a fine singer but there was something about Lew’s tenor harmony that just couldn’t be replicated or replaced
No question that Lew and his unique contributions were missed after his departure. However I believe that the addition of Jimmy Fortune added a breath of fresh air to the group that allowed them to gain a lot of new fans during the 1980’s. As the youngest Statler he appealed to younger fans yet he did not alienate their long-time followers. As a songwriter he added yet another dimension and his vocals provided the group with a fresh new sound. Had Jimmy not joined the act I firmly believe that the group probably would not have been chart active beyond the early 1980’s. They did not seem to evolve until after Jimmy’s arrival.
I still miss their Saturday night TNN show. Hope that the new incarnation of TNN later this year brings it back for re-runs.
I don’t think there’s any doubt that Jimmy Fortune revitalized the group and extended their success for several more years.
The Oak Ridge Boys also had a change in personel, though the circumstances were different.
Some very sad news that I just received concerning one of the Statlers:
Condolences to the Statler Brothers’ Phil Balsley. His 49 year old son Greg Balsley drowned at Nags Head, NC. Survivors include Greg’s wife, four children and a grandchild.