A profound wave of emotion has swept through the country music community as Jimmy Fortune, a cherished member of the legendary group The Statler Brothers, has shared a heartbreaking and intimate look into the final, poignant days of the band’s original tenor, Lew DeWitt. In a rare and tearful interview that has left fans reeling, Fortune revealed the depth of the bond he shared with DeWitt, a man whose spirit and voice were the bedrock of the group’s historic success. His voice trembling with emotion, Jimmy confessed a truth that has resonated for decades: “Lew was the soul of the Statlers.” He added softly, a sentiment that echoed the feelings of millions, “And we’ve never stopped missing him.”
The story of Lew DeWitt is one of immense talent and quiet courage. A founding member, his soaring tenor defined iconic hits, but he was forced to step away from the stage in 1982. He waged a long, grueling, and private war with Crohn’s disease, a battle that ultimately led to Jimmy Fortune taking his place. Yet, Fortune has always remained adamant that he was never a replacement. “I never filled Lew’s shoes,” Jimmy admitted with profound humility. “I just walked beside the path he laid.” It is this deep-seated respect that has made his recent recollections so powerful, painting a vivid picture of a man whose love for music never waned, even as his health failed.
Recalling his final visits, Jimmy’s words brought the past into sharp, heartbreaking focus. He spoke of DeWitt’s unyielding spirit, a light that refused to be extinguished by illness. “He still sang when he could,” Jimmy remembered, his own voice thick with unshed tears. “Even from a hospital bed. That voice was gentler, but it still carried something holy.” Lew DeWitt passed away in 1990, but his legacy is immortal, his harmonies forever woven into the fabric of timeless classics like “Flowers on the Wall” and “Bed of Roses.” His final words to Jimmy were not of sadness, but a sacred trust. “I remember visiting him near the end,” Jimmy shared. “And he just looked at me and said, ‘Take care of the music. Keep it true.’ I never forgot that.”
For Jimmy, this was more than just a piece of advice; it was a lifelong mission. He has carried that torch with unwavering dedication, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the generations of fans who grew up with the Brothers. “I owe him everything,” Jimmy stated, his gratitude palpable. “He gave me a place in something bigger than myself. And I carry him with me every time I sing.” For those who have cherished The Statler Brothers, Lew DeWitt was never just a voice on a record; he was the feeling behind the harmony. The quiet soul at the heart of a brotherhood. Through Jimmy Fortune’s heartfelt tribute, that soul is shining brightly once more.
