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.
The Kid
The Statler Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
WRITER BOB MERRILL
It was Tiger Wilson versus Kid McCoy In the summer of 'ninety-three Now the Kid was everybody's pride and joy Just as game as a kid could be And his darlin' Bess was in the second row She was prayin' with all her might Sayin, "Kid, we need that little bungalow Oh, you've just gotta win tonight" Come on, Kid, come on, Kid Let's hit him with a left and a right Go on, Kid, go on, Kid But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight (But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight) Now the Kid had fever to the very bone But nobody would ever guess He was in there fightin' on his heart alone Cause he just had to win for Bess Oh, the Kid was battered, the Kid was floored But the count never got to ten Though his brain was reelin' when the people roared He was up on his feet again Come on, Kid, come on, Kid Let's hit him with a left and a right Go on, Kid, go on, Kid But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight (But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight) Said the Tiger, scowlin', don't you know you're through I can whip you just like a child I'm gonna take the fight and take your woman too When he heard that the Kid went wild Said the Kid, "For that I'll tear you limb from limb" And he sprang like an angry colt He said a punch a-flyin at the Tiger's chin Knocked him out like a thunderbolt Come on, Kid, come on, Kid Let's hit him with a left and a right Go on, Kid, go on, Kid But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight (But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight) To the crowd that saw it there was little doubt That the Kid was a champ that night But the champ would never have another bout 'Twas the fever that won the fight Gather round, I'm bettin' even money folks There's a bell soundin' way up high And the champ is climbin' through the golden ropes Of the Big Ring up in the sky Come on, Kid, come on, Kid Let's hit him with a left and a right Go on, Kid, go on, Kid But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight
The Statler Brothers' song "The Kid's Last Fight" tells the story of a boxing match that takes place in the summer of 1893 between Tiger Wilson and Kid McCoy. The Kid is a favorite among the crowd and his girlfriend, Bess, is in attendance, cheering him on. The lyrics describe the Kid's determination to win the match, even though he has a fever and is fighting on "heart alone." Despite being battered and knocked down, the Kid gets back up and ultimately knocks out Tiger with a punch to the chin.
However, the triumph is short-lived as the Kid's victory is also his last fight. It is revealed that he had a fever that ultimately took his life, and he was climbing through the golden ropes of the Big Ring up in the sky. The song reflects on the Kid's bravery and determination to provide for his girlfriend, even in his final moments.
The lyrics of the song are powerful in their depiction of the Kid's final fight, as they paint a portrait of a man who is willing to fight until the very end for his loved ones. The song also reflects on the lack of medical attention and care that boxers received during that time period, which often led to fatal consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
It was Tiger Wilson versus Kid McCoy
The fight was between Tiger Wilson and Kid McCoy.
In the summer of 'ninety-three
The fight happened in the summer of 1893.
Now the Kid was everybody's pride and joy
Kid was loved by everyone.
Just as game as a kid could be
Kid was brave and courageous.
And his darlin' Bess was in the second row
Kid's girlfriend Bess was in the audience sitting in the second row.
She was prayin' with all her might
Bess was praying for Kid to win the fight.
Sayin, "Kid, we need that little bungalow
Bess wanted Kid to win so that they could buy a little bungalow.
Oh, you've just gotta win tonight"
Bess was urging Kid to win the fight.
Come on, Kid, come on, Kid
People were encouraging Kid to fight well.
Let's hit him with a left and a right
People were asking Kid to punch with his left and right hands.
Go on, Kid, go on, Kid
People were urging Kid to keep fighting.
But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight
People didn't know that this would be Kid's last fight.
Now the Kid had fever to the very bone
Kid was suffering from fever.
But nobody would ever guess
No one knew that Kid had fever.
He was in there fightin' on his heart alone
Kid was fighting with all his heart despite his fever.
Cause he just had to win for Bess
Kid wanted to win the fight for Bess.
Oh, the Kid was battered, the Kid was floored
Kid was beaten badly.
But the count never got to ten
The referee did not count till ten before Kid got up.
Though his brain was reelin' when the people roared
Kid's head was spinning from the applause.
He was up on his feet again
Kid managed to get up and fight again.
Said the Tiger, scowlin', don't you know you're through
Tiger told Kid that he had lost.
I can whip you just like a child
Tiger was confident that he could easily beat Kid.
"I'm gonna take the fight and take your woman too
Tiger threatened to take Bess if he won.
When he heard that the Kid went wild
Kid got angry when he heard Tiger's threat.
Said the Kid, "For that I'll tear you limb from limb"
Kid promised to beat Tiger badly.
And he sprang like an angry colt
Kid attacked like a wild horse.
He said a punch a-flyin at the Tiger's chin
Kid punched Tiger on his chin.
Knocked him out like a thunderbolt
Tiger was knocked out cold.
To the crowd that saw it there was little doubt
People were sure of Kid's win.
That the Kid was a champ that night
Kid was declared as the champion of the fight.
But the champ would never have another bout
Kid didn't fight again.
'Twas the fever that won the fight
Kid's fever took his life.
Gather round, I'm bettin' even money folks
The storyteller is asking everyone to gather and listen.
There's a bell soundin' way up high
A bell is ringing in Kid's memory.
And the champ is climbin' through the golden ropes
Kid is being celebrated in heaven as a champion.
Of the Big Ring up in the sky
Kid is in heaven.
Come on, Kid, come on, Kid
Even in heaven, people are still urging Kid to fight.
Let's hit him with a left and a right
People still want Kid to punch.
Go on, Kid, go on, Kid
People still want Kid to fight.
But how were they to know it was the Kid's last fight
People didn't know that Kid would never fight again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind