It was a day that still echoes in the hearts of country and gospel fans everywhere. Don Reid, the lead singer and songwriter of The Statler Brothers, has finally opened up in vivid detail about the moment that marked the end of an era—the day the group said goodbye forever.
In a recent emotional interview, Don reflected on October 26, 2002, the date of their final performance in Salem, Virginia—a hometown farewell that was both celebratory and heartbreaking. For the millions who loved their music, that night represented the closing of a chapter that had defined decades of country harmony, heartfelt lyrics, and unmatched camaraderie.
“I remember walking onto that stage and knowing it would be the last time,” Don said quietly. “We had done thousands of shows, but this one… it felt different from the moment the curtain rose.”
The Statler Brothers—Don Reid, his brother Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and Jimmy Fortune (who replaced the late Lew DeWitt in 1982)—had built a career on sincerity, tight harmonies, and down-home humor. They weren’t just a group; they were a family, and their fans were an extension of that family.
Don admitted that the decision to retire wasn’t easy, but it felt right. They wanted to leave on a high note, with dignity and gratitude. Still, when the final show arrived, the emotions were overwhelming.
“Harold and I looked at each other before we stepped out, and he said, ‘Let’s make ‘em cry and smile at the same time.’ And that’s exactly what we did.”
They performed their classics—“Flowers on the Wall,” “Do You Remember These,” “Class of ’57”—each song met with thunderous applause and tearful cheers. By the final chorus, many in the audience were on their feet, sobbing, waving goodbye to the voices that had been the soundtrack of their lives.
What fans didn’t know was that backstage, all four members were crying too.
“We hugged each other, wept, and we thanked God,” Don said. “It wasn’t just the end of a group—it was the end of a lifetime we had built together.”
The years that followed brought both peace and pain. In 2020, the group suffered a devastating loss with the passing of Harold Reid, the beloved bass singer whose humor and heart had defined so much of their sound. Don says Harold’s death made that final show feel even more sacred in hindsight.
“We didn’t just say goodbye to the fans that night—we said goodbye to a season of our lives we’ll never get back.”
Today, Don continues to preserve The Statler Brothers’ legacy through writing, archives, and stories that keep the music alive. But the memory of that final night remains etched in his soul.
“We left the stage to a standing ovation. And we left with full hearts. We didn’t know what tomorrow would hold—but we knew we had given everything we had.”
And for the fans who were there that night—or who still listen in quiet moments—that goodbye still brings tears. Because some voices never fade.
