For over three decades, Don Reid—the iconic lead vocalist and songwriter of The Statler Brothers—carried something close to his heart, a truth he never shared with the public. But now, at this stage in his life and career, Don has finally opened up. And what he revealed about the late Lew DeWitt left fans stunned, moved, and ultimately filled with admiration.
In an exclusive and deeply personal conversation, Don admitted:
“There was something I never told anyone—out of respect, and out of love. But I think Lew would want it known now.”
Lew DeWitt, the original tenor of The Statler Brothers, was known for his angelic voice, poetic songwriting, and quiet demeanor. His departure from the group in 1982 due to health issues was heartbreaking for fans and the group alike. He passed away in 1990, but his memory has remained ever-present in country music circles.
Don’s long-kept secret wasn’t about scandal or drama. It was about grace.
“Lew wasn’t just the voice of harmony—he was the glue in ways most people never knew,” Don shared. “When times got tough behind the scenes—creative tensions, long nights on the road, personal struggles—he was the one who would quietly bring peace. He didn’t want credit for it. He just did it.”
But the most moving part of Don’s revelation came when he described Lew’s final years, after stepping away from the spotlight.
“He was in pain. A lot of pain. But he never let that define him,” Don said, voice thick with emotion. “And in one of our last conversations, he asked me not to let the world remember him for being sick—but for being grateful.”
And Don honored that request. For more than 30 years, he downplayed Lew’s struggles, choosing instead to elevate his contributions, his character, and his friendship.
“I think the world deserves to know what kind of man he really was,” Don said. “Not just the singer. But the friend. The fighter. The soul who never once complained, even when the world would have forgiven him for it.”
Fans reacted with an outpouring of emotion. Many said they always sensed a deeper bond within the group—now they understand why.
Today, Don says the reason he’s speaking now is simple: “I’m older. And I want to give Lew the tribute he never asked for but always earned.”
In an industry often defined by stage lights and stardom, this quiet confession speaks louder than any chart-topping hit. It’s a reminder that the greatest stories are not always sung—but lived.
And now, thanks to Don Reid’s long-held secret finally coming to light, we see Lew DeWitt in full: not just as a musical genius, but as a man of quiet courage and enduring grace.
