When Jimmy Fortune steps onto the stage, an extraordinary silence envelops the room. There are no dazzling pyrotechnics or flashing lights—just a solitary man, his powerful voice, and a story that unfolds through song. As he begins to sing his signature song, whether it’s the haunting gospel duet “Far Side Banks of Jordan” or the soaring ballad “Elizabeth,” time itself seems to stop.
Longtime fans declare that Jimmy’s voice does more than sing—it reaches into the soul. This is most profoundly witnessed when he performs the cherished songs he crafted as a member of The Statler Brothers, and later as a solo artist sharing a testimony carved deep from life experiences.
But it is “Elizabeth,” the unforgettable ballad written and sung by Jimmy with The Statler Brothers, that strikes a chord like no other. Jimmy shared in a recent interview, “That song changed my life. I wrote it from a place of pure heart. I had no idea it would become the song people still ask for after all these years.”
From the very first note, Jimmy’s tender tenor pierces the silence like a heartfelt prayer. As he moves into the emotional chorus, eyes closed and hand pressed against his heart, it becomes evident that this is no ordinary music—this is ministry.
Audience members confess their surprise: “I wasn’t ready for how much I’d feel it.” One moved fan admitted, “I’ve heard ‘Elizabeth’ a hundred times, but when Jimmy sang it live, I cried. I didn’t expect that. He wasn’t just singing. He was living it.”
Another soul-stirring song that often moves audiences to tears is “Far Side Banks of Jordan,” a sacred tribute to loved ones Jimmy has lost, including The Statler Brothers’ founding member Harold Reid in 2020.
Jimmy confessed with raw emotion, “Every time I sing it, I picture the people I’ve lost. I picture them waiting for me on the far side banks. I can barely get through it.”
The deep emotional weight carried by his voice, coupled with humble delivery and sincere connection, makes Jimmy Fortune’s performances not just concerts but healing experiences.
Decades after entering the spotlight as the “new guy” in The Statler Brothers, Jimmy continues to tour across the country, bringing his music to churches, quaint towns, and intimate venues—places where the music touches the heart directly.
“I never chased stardom,” Jimmy revealed. “I just wanted to touch people’s hearts. And if one song can do that… then I’ve done what I was called to do.”
If you’ve never had the chance to hear Jimmy Fortune perform “Elizabeth” or “Far Side Banks of Jordan” live, brace yourself. When he sings, you won’t just hear it… you’ll feel it.
And very likely, you’ll leave speechless.
