Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen. In 1963, when the song "Louie, Louie" by the garage rock band also called The Kingsmen became famous, the group elected to bill themselves as The Statler Brothers. Despite the name, only two members of the group (Don and Harold Reid) are actual brothers and none have the surname of "Statler". The band, in fact, named themselves after a brand of facial tissue they had noticed in a hotel room (they joked that they could have turned out to be the Kleenex Brothers). Don Reid sang lead. Harold Reid, Don's older brother, sang bass. Phil Balsley sang baritone and Jimmy Fortune sang tenor after replacing original tenor Lew DeWitt in the early 1980s due to the latter's ill health. DeWitt died on August 15, 1990 of heart and kidney disease, stemming from complications of Crohn's disease.
The band's style was closely linked to their gospel roots. "We took gospel harmonies," said Harold Reid, "and put them over in country music."
The group remained closely tied to their gospel roots, with a majority of their records containing at least one gospel song. They produced several albums containing only gospel music and recorded a tribute song to the Blackwood Brothers, who influenced their music. The Statler Brothers also wrote a tribute song to Johnny Cash, who discovered them. The song was called "We Got Paid by Cash", and it reminisces about their time with Cash
Since forming, the Statler Brothers have released over 40 albums. They received Grammy Awards in 1966 and 1973. Two of their best-known songs are their first big hit, Flowers on the Wall, and the socially-conscious Bed of Roses. Late in their career they had a regular variety show on the cable television channel then known as The Nashville Network. Throughout their career, much of their appeal was related to their considerable ability for comedy and parody that they frequently interspersed into their musical act; they were frequently nominated for awards for their comedy as well as their singing. They recorded two comedy albums as Lester Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys, and one-half of one side of the album Country Music Then and Now was also devoted to satirizing small-town radio stations' Saturday morning shows.
The group disbanded and retired after completing a farewell tour on October 26, 2002. Balsley and the Reid brothers continue to reside in Staunton, while Fortune has relocated to Nashville, where he is continuing his music career as a solo artist. He has released three albums as a soloist. The Statlers continue to be the most awarded act in the history of country music.
Since the Statlers' retirement in 2002, Don has pursued a second career as an author. He authored or co-authored three books: Heroes and Outlaws of the Bible, Sunday Morning Memories, and You'll Know It's Christmas When.... He and Harold co-wrote a history of the Statler Brothers titled Random Memories released in February 2008.
The Statler Brothers have been credited as the first country music act to transfer the genre's nostalgia from a rural to a suburban setting. They have also been called "America's Poets" by Kurt Vonnegut.
I was There
The Statler Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she combed those last pigtails from her hair
When she wore her sister's dress to the prom I must confess
When the last dance was danced I was there
When I first fell in love she was there
I can still remember when and where
But life gives and takes and we all have our breaks
When she walked down the aisle I was there
When she took the vows to always love and care
With dignity and grace I quietly took my place
With the friends of the bride I was there
When they had their first fight and she called in the night
Though I knew it wasn't right I was there
And when he left her again and she needed a friend
Like a fool I've always been I was there
The last time we met he was there
And whatever he thinks I don't care
I loved her first and he loved her worst
I know she told me so when I was there
I know she told me so when I was there
The Statler Brothers’ song “I Was There” portrays an emotional journey that a man takes, where he looks back at significant moments in his life he shared with a woman he loved. The song has a deep sadness to it, as the singer recalls moments such as when the woman bought her first heels, when she got ready for prom, and when she walked down the aisle. The lyrics show that they have been through both happy and sad times together, such as when they fell in love, and when she broke her first heart.
The singer describes how he quietly took his place among the friends of the bride on her wedding day, highlighting the pain of watching someone he loves get married to someone else. The song takes a darker turn when the singer describes how he was always there for her, even when she had fights with her husband and when he left her. He describes himself as a fool, emphasizing the depth of his love for her.
Overall, the song highlights the pain and heartache that often comes with unrequited love. It portrays the deep love that the singer has for the woman, and the emotional journey he takes as he looks back on the moments he shared with her.
Line by Line Meaning
When she bought her first heels I was there
I witnessed the moment she bought her first high heels.
When she combed those last pigtails from her hair
I was present when she combed her hair and discarded her pigtails.
When she wore her sister's dress to the prom I must confess
I must admit that I was there when she wore her sister's dress to the prom.
When the last dance was danced I was there
I was present when the last dance of the prom was danced.
When I first fell in love she was there
She was present when I first fell in love.
I can still remember when and where
I have vivid memories of the time and place when I first fell in love.
But life gives and takes and we all have our breaks
Life is unpredictable and everyone will experience highs and lows.
When she broke her first heart I was there
I was present to witness the moment when she broke her first heart.
When she walked down the aisle I was there
I saw her walk down the aisle on her wedding day.
When she took the vows to always love and care
I witnessed her making promises to always love and take care of her partner.
With dignity and grace I quietly took my place
I respectfully stood by and watched with poise and elegance.
With the friends of the bride I was there
I was there among the bride's group of friends.
When they had their first fight and she called in the night
When the couple had their first argument and she called me for support in the middle of the night.
Though I knew it wasn't right I was there
Even though I knew it was not appropriate, I was still there for her.
And when he left her again and she needed a friend
When the partner left her once again and she needed a friend to lean on.
Like a fool I've always been I was there
Despite looking foolish, I have always been there for her during tough times.
The last time we met he was there
He was present the last time we met.
And whatever he thinks I don't care
I don't care about whatever he may think or feel.
I loved her first and he loved her worst
I was the one who loved her first, and he did not treat her as well as I did.
I know she told me so when I was there
I am certain that she confided in me about this when I was there for her.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON S. REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind