At 70, country and gospel music legend Jimmy Fortune has opened up about one of the most emotional days of his life—the day The Statler Brothers took their final bow. It was a moment fans had long feared, and one that left more than a few eyes wet across the country music world.
In a heartfelt and reflective interview, Jimmy looked back on that day—not with bitterness, but with a mixture of gratitude, sorrow, and hope. “It wasn’t just the end of a group,” he said softly. “It was the closing of a chapter that changed my life.”
For over two decades, Jimmy Fortune was the youngest member of The Statler Brothers, stepping in after Lew DeWitt’s departure in 1982. With his soaring tenor and soulful songwriting, Jimmy quickly became a beloved part of the group’s legendary sound. But in 2002, after years of touring, recording, and redefining harmony in country music, the group decided it was time to retire.
Jimmy still remembers the final show like it was yesterday. “I looked out at the crowd, and I saw faces that had been with us for decades—people who’d grown up with our songs, who’d made memories to them,” he said. “And I thought, ‘How do you say goodbye to something that’s become part of who you are?’”
The answer, it turns out, is with love.
“It was emotional, of course,” he admitted. “But there was peace, too. We were going out with dignity, still close as brothers, and still able to give our best.”
The end of The Statler Brothers could have marked the end of Jimmy’s story, but instead, it became the beginning of a new one. With the same humility and heart that endeared him to millions, Jimmy embarked on a solo journey—one defined by faith, resilience, and a voice that only grew stronger with time.
He began writing and recording deeply personal music, often inspired by his own life, his spiritual journey, and the legacy of harmony he helped build. Albums like Windows and God & Country connected with audiences in a new way—intimate, stripped-down, and soul-stirring.
“I think sometimes God closes one door to open another,” Jimmy said. “And I’ve been blessed to walk through that second door with open arms.”
Now, as he reflects at age 70, Jimmy doesn’t mourn the ending of The Statler Brothers—he celebrates it.
“We gave the world something beautiful,” he said. “And now, I get to carry that spirit forward in a new way.”
Fans still talk about the blend of voices that made The Statler Brothers iconic—but they also recognize that Jimmy Fortune’s voice, both literal and spiritual, is still echoing with purpose and grace.
“I still sing the old songs,” he said. “But I sing new ones too—about faith, about family, about the road I’ve walked. And every note is a thank you.”
It’s a goodbye that became a beginning. And for Jimmy Fortune, and for the fans who still follow every word, that journey is far from over.
