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.
shenandoah
The Statler Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Shenandoah I long to see you
Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
Oh Shenandoah I love your daughter away you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah I love your daughter
Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
For seven long years I've been a wandering away you rolling river
Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
The song "Shenandoah" by The Statler Brothers is an ode to the beauty and allure of the Shenandoah River, which flows through Virginia and West Virginia. The song opens with the singer expressing his longing to see the river, noting its rolling currents and power. He then speaks of his love for the river's daughter, suggesting a romantic connection with the region and its natural beauty.
The second verse finds the singer reflecting on his seven years of wandering away from the area. Despite this time away, he remains bound for the Shenandoah and its daughter, and makes a declaration of intent to return to the region and cross the wide Missouri River to reach his destination. The song's melancholic tone and expressive lyrics give a sense of the singer's deep attachment to the region and its natural beauty, as well as his longing to return home.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Shenandoah I long to see you away you rolling river
The singer expresses their desire to see the Shenandoah River and addresses it as a rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah I long to see you Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
The singer is eagerly looking forward to seeing the river and is on their way to cross the wide Missouri river to get there.
Oh Shenandoah I love your daughter away you rolling river
The singer expresses their affection for the daughter of Shenandoah and still addresses Shenandoah as a rolling river.
Oh Shenandoah I love your daughter Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
The artist declares their love for the daughter of Shenandoah and mentions that they are on their way to cross the wide Missouri river.
For seven long years I've been a wandering away you rolling river
The artist states that they've been wandering for seven long years and still addresses Shenandoah as a rolling river.
Seven long years I've been a wandering Away I'm bound the way cross the wide Missouri
The singer has been on the move for a long time and is now heading towards the wide Missouri river in search of Shenandoah and its daughter.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON REID, DON S. REID, HAROLD REID, LEWIS DEWITT, PHIL BALSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donna Purvis
Yes, this should be the theme for The Statler Brothers. You can tell they are singing from their hearts on this. And it always makes me cry. Gosh - I miss your voice Lew. I hope to hear it once again when we are all with you and the Lord.
bazthehandyman
Fantastic....nothing to compare !!
Peggy Weirick
No other tenor that is as good as Lew Dewitt
Lenny Buttz
I am so happy I got to see them with Lew several times. He had a great voice.
Ecklectic Gal
This song and Flowers on the Wall are my favorite Statler Brothers songs.
Si Brunk
Super!!! Love this song! Reminds me of ole West Virginia!
ussnightwing
The harmonization on this song is better than any of their other songs. They are listening to each other and you can hear it. Listen...
Bill Wilson
The harmony on this song and the music are absolutely lovely.
Joan Morris
I long to see you! The Statler Brother s version is sung beautiful!🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🐖🐖🐴🐎🐗🐎🐴
Ric Weide
They had the best version. I guess since they wrote it, it would be best!