 Referred to as the "Most Awarded Act in the History of Country Music," the Statler Brothers have won over 500 awards in their 40-year career, including more Music City News Awards than any other country music act in history. Despite relatively limited commercial success in recent years, the Statler Brothers have maintained their devoted following and will forever have a place as the most successful vocal harmony group in country music. The Statler Brothers made their first public appearance in 1955 in Staunton, Virginia, under the moniker the Four Star Quartet, with original members Harold Reid (bass vocals), Lew DeWitt (tenor), Phil Balsley (baritone) and Joe McDorman (lead vocals). In the early 1960s, after Harold's brother Don Reid replaced McDorman on lead vocals and the band changed their name to the Kingsmen, fate smiled upon the quartet and they began an eight-year stint as Johnny Cash's opening band. With their new name, the Statler Brother's career took off. They signed with Columbia Records in 1964, and recorded the hit, "Flowers on the Wall." Their debut album of the same name was released two years later. After changing labels and signing with Mercury Records in 1969, the Statler Brothers had a string of Top 40 hits, including "Do You Remember These" and "The Class of '57," in 1972 and "Carry Me Back," in 1973. Their sound was a throwback to the melodically simple and lyrically innocent hits of the 1950s. Sentimental, schmaltzy singles struck a chord with disenchanted country and pop music fans of the early 1970s, who were being inundated with disco and early stirrings of hard rock and heavy metal. In 1985, Lew DeWitt was forced to retire from the group due to a lifelong battle with Crohn's disease. He died of the disease several years later. Jimmy Fortune replaced DeWitt and recorded three subsequent albums with the Statler Brothers. Fortune also earned the group their second number one hit, "Elizabeth," a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor. Their last Top 40 hit was "More Than a Name on the Wall," in 1989. Although the Statler Brothers haven't had a radio hit in a decade, they continue to record and tour together. They also continue to host their long-running variety show on TNN. Gabrielle Schafer
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