BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 337
There are three things you can count on at Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
First and foremost, your ears are going to be treated to absolutely extraordinary music. Plus, your taste buds are going to be delighted by the food. Plus-plus, your eyes will be dazzled by celebrities.
The Sunday evening event (5/23) was staged in the Hall of Fame’s Conservatory lobby, since its Ford Theater has been water inundated in the Great Flood of 2010. Appropriately, the first music we heard was Johnny Cash’s “Five Feet High and Rising” from 1959. The Hall’s Kyle Young praised Alan Valentine of the Nashville Symphony and attendee Steve Buchanan of the Grand Ole Opry because, “with courage and valor, they kept the music playing without missing a beat” after both were flooded.
“We hold you in the highest esteem,” said Steve Turner to inductees Ferlin Husky and Billy Sherrill. “We salute you.”
Vince Gill kicked the spirit-lifting music performances off with “Oh Happy Day,” assisted by the Settles Connection Choir. “We need a happy day, after all this rain,” said Vinnie earlier on the red carpet.
Kyle told Ferlin’s story, which began on St. Louis radio, flourished in Bakersfield and rose to prominence on Tennessee Ernie Ford’s TV show. Ernie got Ferlin on Capitol Records. “A Dear John Letter” made stars of both Ferlin and Jean Shepard in 1953. In 1955, Ferlin scored his first solo hit with the light-hearted swing tune “I Feel Better All Over.” We were delighted by Webb Wilder’s performance of it.
(l-r) Opry President Steve Buchanan, CMA Chairman of the Board Steve Moore, Country Music Hall of Fame Director Kyle Young, Ferlin Husky and Billy Sherrill (photo by Donn Jones)
Often cited as the first “Nashville Sound” recording is Ferlin’s 1956 masterpiece “Gone.” Backed by The Jordanaires and an astounding soprano by 87-year-old Millie Kirkham, Ronnie McDowell did an outstanding job on the classic. He walked into the audience and sang it right to Ferliin.
Ricky Skaggs and The Whites encouraged us to sing along to Ferlin’s 1960 classic “Wings of a Dove.” After singing, they came down from the stage to greet Ferlin and his family. The eternally lovable Dallas Frazier sang “Freckles and Polliwog Days,” a single he co-wrote for Ferlin in 1974. It was done Dixieland style, with Larry Paxton joining the Medallion All Star Band on tuba. Speaking of the band, can I get a witness for John Hobbs, Paul Franklin, Biff Watson, Michael Rhodes, Steve Gibson, Deanie Richardson, Jeff White and Dawn Sears? They made everybody sound great.
Anyway, after Dallas finished, Charley Pride took the stage to formally induct Ferlin into the Hall of Fame. “It’s a privilege and an honor to do this for someone I dearly love,” said Charley. The ceremonial gesture includes unveiling a bronze plaque and placing a medallion around the inductee’s neck. ‘God bless anybody who had anything to do with bringing me here,” said Ferlin. At age 84, he is frail after nine heart bypass surgeries and uses oxygen and a wheel chair.
Kyle lauded Billy Sherrill, 73, as “a controversial genius who created immortal country music.” Billy’s journey includes helping to create the Muscle Shoals music scene, working with Sam Phillips and being hired by Epic Records in 1963 to produce The Staple Singers, Barry & The Remains and other left-field artists. Moving into country music, he produced and co-wrote dozens of genre-defining hits.
The evening’s amazing music continued with Craig Morgan’s performance of Billy’s co-written “Almost Persuaded” 1966 David Houston hit. I just love to listen to that man sing. George Jones led the standing ovation. By the way, all the performances were greeted by standing ovations and Sharon White’s shouts of encouragement.
That included Shelby Lynne’s rendition of “Stand By Your Man.” “Don’t put me after Shelby Lynne!” protested Ronnie Milsap. “What a great singer she is.” Don’t worry. Ronnie’s version of Charlie Rich’s “The Most Beautiful Girl” (also co-written and produced by Billy) was also greeted by a standing o.
Billy signed Jones in 1972 and produced his masterpiece “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” This time, Lee Ann Womack did the goosebump-raising honors, backed by Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy with the Medallion All Star Band.
Frances Preston inducted Billy. “There is not a more miserable person in Nashville, Tennessee, tonight than Billy Sherrill,” she said. “He hates notoriety.” She added, “Your work has made stars of many people, but tonight you are the star.”
“There are no more words—everything’s been said,” said the famously shy and dry Billy. He thanked Tom Stafford, Sam Phillips, Clive Davis and Al Gallico: “You have to have a lot of help to get this, and I had it.” Billy and Charlene Sherrill will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30, 2011, by the way.
The music concluded with the annual train-wreck performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by all the stars. As noted above, this is a gig that is saturated with them. Mel Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, Joe Stampley, Roni Stoneman, Norro Wilson, Melanie Howard, Gary Scruggs, Mayor Karl Dean, Bobby Braddock, Jim Foglesong, Two Foot Fred, Bud Wendell, Dianne Sherrill, red-carpet host Bill Cody, John Seigenthaler, Harold Bradley, Bill Denny, Sherry Bond, Robin Young, Jo Walker-Meador, Charlie Dick, Weldon Myrick, Bill Anderson, Earl Scruggs and Sonny James sparkled a-plenty.
As for the food, you had your choice of peach-glazed pork loin, smoked turkey, fried okra, garlic grits, Cajun shrimp, fried green tomatoes, burger sliders, cheesy cucumber slices, tossed salad with hot wings, three-bean salad, cucumber-and-onion salad and a variety of cheeses and fruits. The full bar featured a dry white wine from Kix Brooks’s Arrington Vineyards, which is quite good. And don’t get me started on the post-show desserts.
This year’s second Hall of Fame induction ceremony will spotlight Don Williams and Jimmy Dean on October 24.
Hall of Fame Inducts Sherrill, Husky
/by Robert K OermannChapter 337
There are three things you can count on at Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
First and foremost, your ears are going to be treated to absolutely extraordinary music. Plus, your taste buds are going to be delighted by the food. Plus-plus, your eyes will be dazzled by celebrities.
The Sunday evening event (5/23) was staged in the Hall of Fame’s Conservatory lobby, since its Ford Theater has been water inundated in the Great Flood of 2010. Appropriately, the first music we heard was Johnny Cash’s “Five Feet High and Rising” from 1959. The Hall’s Kyle Young praised Alan Valentine of the Nashville Symphony and attendee Steve Buchanan of the Grand Ole Opry because, “with courage and valor, they kept the music playing without missing a beat” after both were flooded.
“We hold you in the highest esteem,” said Steve Turner to inductees Ferlin Husky and Billy Sherrill. “We salute you.”
Vince Gill kicked the spirit-lifting music performances off with “Oh Happy Day,” assisted by the Settles Connection Choir. “We need a happy day, after all this rain,” said Vinnie earlier on the red carpet.
Kyle told Ferlin’s story, which began on St. Louis radio, flourished in Bakersfield and rose to prominence on Tennessee Ernie Ford’s TV show. Ernie got Ferlin on Capitol Records. “A Dear John Letter” made stars of both Ferlin and Jean Shepard in 1953. In 1955, Ferlin scored his first solo hit with the light-hearted swing tune “I Feel Better All Over.” We were delighted by Webb Wilder’s performance of it.
(l-r) Opry President Steve Buchanan, CMA Chairman of the Board Steve Moore, Country Music Hall of Fame Director Kyle Young, Ferlin Husky and Billy Sherrill (photo by Donn Jones)
Often cited as the first “Nashville Sound” recording is Ferlin’s 1956 masterpiece “Gone.” Backed by The Jordanaires and an astounding soprano by 87-year-old Millie Kirkham, Ronnie McDowell did an outstanding job on the classic. He walked into the audience and sang it right to Ferliin.
Ricky Skaggs and The Whites encouraged us to sing along to Ferlin’s 1960 classic “Wings of a Dove.” After singing, they came down from the stage to greet Ferlin and his family. The eternally lovable Dallas Frazier sang “Freckles and Polliwog Days,” a single he co-wrote for Ferlin in 1974. It was done Dixieland style, with Larry Paxton joining the Medallion All Star Band on tuba. Speaking of the band, can I get a witness for John Hobbs, Paul Franklin, Biff Watson, Michael Rhodes, Steve Gibson, Deanie Richardson, Jeff White and Dawn Sears? They made everybody sound great.
Anyway, after Dallas finished, Charley Pride took the stage to formally induct Ferlin into the Hall of Fame. “It’s a privilege and an honor to do this for someone I dearly love,” said Charley. The ceremonial gesture includes unveiling a bronze plaque and placing a medallion around the inductee’s neck. ‘God bless anybody who had anything to do with bringing me here,” said Ferlin. At age 84, he is frail after nine heart bypass surgeries and uses oxygen and a wheel chair.
Kyle lauded Billy Sherrill, 73, as “a controversial genius who created immortal country music.” Billy’s journey includes helping to create the Muscle Shoals music scene, working with Sam Phillips and being hired by Epic Records in 1963 to produce The Staple Singers, Barry & The Remains and other left-field artists. Moving into country music, he produced and co-wrote dozens of genre-defining hits.
The evening’s amazing music continued with Craig Morgan’s performance of Billy’s co-written “Almost Persuaded” 1966 David Houston hit. I just love to listen to that man sing. George Jones led the standing ovation. By the way, all the performances were greeted by standing ovations and Sharon White’s shouts of encouragement.
That included Shelby Lynne’s rendition of “Stand By Your Man.” “Don’t put me after Shelby Lynne!” protested Ronnie Milsap. “What a great singer she is.” Don’t worry. Ronnie’s version of Charlie Rich’s “The Most Beautiful Girl” (also co-written and produced by Billy) was also greeted by a standing o.
Billy signed Jones in 1972 and produced his masterpiece “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” This time, Lee Ann Womack did the goosebump-raising honors, backed by Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy with the Medallion All Star Band.
Frances Preston inducted Billy. “There is not a more miserable person in Nashville, Tennessee, tonight than Billy Sherrill,” she said. “He hates notoriety.” She added, “Your work has made stars of many people, but tonight you are the star.”
“There are no more words—everything’s been said,” said the famously shy and dry Billy. He thanked Tom Stafford, Sam Phillips, Clive Davis and Al Gallico: “You have to have a lot of help to get this, and I had it.” Billy and Charlene Sherrill will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30, 2011, by the way.
The music concluded with the annual train-wreck performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by all the stars. As noted above, this is a gig that is saturated with them. Mel Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, Joe Stampley, Roni Stoneman, Norro Wilson, Melanie Howard, Gary Scruggs, Mayor Karl Dean, Bobby Braddock, Jim Foglesong, Two Foot Fred, Bud Wendell, Dianne Sherrill, red-carpet host Bill Cody, John Seigenthaler, Harold Bradley, Bill Denny, Sherry Bond, Robin Young, Jo Walker-Meador, Charlie Dick, Weldon Myrick, Bill Anderson, Earl Scruggs and Sonny James sparkled a-plenty.
As for the food, you had your choice of peach-glazed pork loin, smoked turkey, fried okra, garlic grits, Cajun shrimp, fried green tomatoes, burger sliders, cheesy cucumber slices, tossed salad with hot wings, three-bean salad, cucumber-and-onion salad and a variety of cheeses and fruits. The full bar featured a dry white wine from Kix Brooks’s Arrington Vineyards, which is quite good. And don’t get me started on the post-show desserts.
This year’s second Hall of Fame induction ceremony will spotlight Don Williams and Jimmy Dean on October 24.
Wynonna CD Helps Wounded Warriors
/by contributor“For several years, Cracker Barrel has supported Wounded Warrior Project and the organization’s efforts to honor and empower injured service men and women who have returned to the United States,” said Peter Keiser, Vice President of Marketing at Cracker Barrel. “Given Wynonna’s long history of philanthropy, we were confident that she would share our commitment to support wounded warriors who are making the transition back to civilian life.”
On sale now at all Cracker Barrel locations, Wynonna’s new Love Heals CD features a collection of her top singles and three other tracks that had not been available for sale until now. One of the new tracks, “Let Your Light Shine,” is a song that Wynonna and her young daughter would sing every day before school, and it speaks to the importance of being true to oneself.
“’Let Your Light Shine’ is a real affirmation song for men and women,” said Wynonna. “So much of what we see in the world is not very life-giving. This is a very life-giving song. The message is be who you were meant to be.”
In addition to the Love Heals CD, Cracker Barrel has introduced a collection of retail products inspired by Wynonna’s creativity and spirit. Wynonna helped design the products that she believes will help women who balance the responsibilities of family, career and their own personal enrichment. The Wynonna retail products include shirts, mugs, writing journals, wallets and other accessories.
Cracker Barrel is also proud to feature a new collection of Wounded Warrior Project retail products including hats, bandanas, t-shirts and mugs. Similar to the Wynonna line of products, Cracker Barrel will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of any of these items to Wounded Warrior Project. In fact, from now until May 31, Cracker Barrel will double the portion of proceeds donation for every Wynonna and Wounded Warrior Project retail item sold, including the CD.
“Wounded Warrior Project is deeply grateful to Wynonna and Cracker Barrel for their ongoing support,” said Steve Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project. “The funds raised through this partnership will support our injured warriors who have given so much for our country and help us ensure this generation of veterans is the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation’s history.”
Bentley Wows Reverent Ryman Crowd
/by adminEarly in the show the artist dedicated a song to his Mom, apparently not realizing that only moments before the show began she had left the Ryman with her husband, Dierk’s father, who was carried out on a stretcher by emergency medics. He appeared alert and was talking with the medics as he was leaving. MusicRow wishes him a speedy recovery.
Bentley described his show and upcoming album as an “experiment” mixing bluegrass and country music. However, he warned the crowd, “If you don’t like the banjo you might be in the wrong place.” True to his word, the evening’s musical recipe, was heavy on the bluegrass, a joyful tribute to stringed instruments.
Ryman acoustics were superb and the instrumental setting was effective in adding a unique perspective to the singer’s previous hits such as “Feel That Fire,” “Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go),” “Sideways,” “Come A Little Closer” and others.
The video for Bentley’s first single from the new package, “Up On The Ridge” is already in heavy rotation on CMT and No. 22 rising on the MusicRow Breakout chart.
Special guest Jon Randall joined Bentley to perform their co-write “Draw Me A Map,” from the upcoming album. Another of the evening’s high points was when McCoury band leader Del McCoury treated the crowd to his piercing tenor harmonies getting a standing ovation.
Bentley told the crowd, “Bluegrass is all about the three ‘Ts’—tuning, timing and tone.” Judging by the evenings exalted musicianship, this writer will attest to the finely honed tuning and tone that has already seduced national critics from the Washington Post and USA Today. As to the timing, it remains to be seen how strongly Bentley’s fans will embrace this left of center musical experiment. Based upon the Ryman reaction however, the new album will serve as a vehicle to introduce Bluegrass to thousands of fans who have not been exposed to it and give fans added respect for the breadth of Bentley’s daring artistry.
MusikPitch Offers Jingle-Writing Opportunity
/by contributorThe Local Taco used MusikPitch to launch a $1000.00 jingle contest. The contest ran for the standard length of 14 days, and The Local Taco received over 60 entries from competing songwriters.
“I was amazed by the quality of music coming in as entries for our contest,” says The Local Taco owner John Ko. “Songs were being submitted from songwriters all over the world. We had people living in Florida that had been to our restaurant on a trip to Nashville and were messaging us about how excited they were to compete to write our jingle. It was amazing!”
After the contest ended, Ko had trouble picking from the top entries, so he turned the decision over to friends and staff. Even if a songwriter doesn’t win, scoring a high ranking from the contest holder will place their composition in their top songs list. Songwriters are then listed under the Songwriters tab, with those having the most wins and top songs placed at the top of the list.
The Local Taco chose a song composed by MusikPitch member and songwriter James Barratt. His winning jingle and the other entries can be heard here.
MusikPitch is temporarily waiving the $39.00 contest fee when you use referral code 50501. Click here to get started.
Physical Still Country Fan Favorite
/by adminDigital and Physical Sales Comparison
It’s not uncommon for debut week albums to sell 20% and more in digital format. But what happens to hit albums over the long term? Are country album sales compensating for shrinking shelf space at mass merchants by increasing their digital share? The answer is yes….and no.
Only five country artists placed in the Top 100 of the Current Digital Albums chart for the week ending 5/16/2010 (according to Nielsen SoundScan.) Using RTD (release to date) figures for both digital and physical album sales, the five top selling digital album country artists average 12-13% of sales in the digital format. Turned around, 87% of country sales remain in the physical format.
The fact that country consumers still strongly favor physical product is something for mass merchants to consider when planning inventory. Despite shrinking shelf space, country product is still a winning retail proposition.
According to Billboard’s Ed Christman, digital accounts are now responsible for about 35.5% of the sales base. iTunes market share continues to grow now equaling about 26.7% of the digital share up from 21.4% in 2008. For comparison, Walmart (12.5%) and Best Buy (8.7%) together equal 21.2%. Amazon’s total music share for 2009 was 7.1%. Its physical sales were 5.8%.
For the week ended 5/16/2010—according to Nielsen SoundScan— country album sales are down 4.4% YTD, while all genre music sales are off 10% for the same period.
Bug Music Publishing is On a Roll
/by contributorDuring the first quarter of 2010 the company held shares in eight Top 100 charting hits. Recent deals have included signing multi-platinum songwriter/producer Lucas Secon, multi-platinum, acclaimed country songwriter Gordie Sampson, Paul Westerberg from seminal alt-rock band The Replacements, re-signing the Grammy Award winning band Wilco and, under the banner of Arthouse Entertainment, signings of producer/songwriter Mitch Allan and multi-platinum producer/songwriter Mike Elizondo.
”The Bug writers and the entire team continue to hit all of the right notes and knock it out,” says John Rudolph, CEO of Bug Music. “Pound for pound, we continue to have more charting and award winning hits than our major competitors who are 10 times bigger. I am very proud to be associated with all of our
songwriters who constantly give it their best. Creative A&R is not dead!”
Bug Music’s increase of 29% is based on Billboard’s analysis of U.S radio airplay, quarter by quarter. In the first quarter of 2010 Bug Music held 3.6% of the Top Publishers market share and 3.9% of the Top Country Publishers.
This week at the 2010 BMI Music Awards, Bug Music writers picked up six awards. Honors were given to Kara DioGuardi, Kings of Leon’s Jared and Matthew Followill, writer Josh Hartzler and Sean Garrett.
Earlier this year at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Bug Music received a record number of 65 Grammy nominations, in nearly every category across the board. The publishing group took home a total of 15 Grammy awards, including the marquee Record of the Year for Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody.” Kings of Leon were also awarded for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song for “Use Somebody.” Winning Grammy Awards in 10 different categories, Bug Music received nominations in a diverse 40 separate categories across all musical genres.
For more information visit www.bugmusic.com.
Chelsea Field Visits MusicRow
/by contributorMoxy Records artist Chelsea Field stopped by the MusicRow offices recently to perform her rocking debut single, “Things I Should Have Said” for company staffers.
(l-r) MusicRow’s David Ross, Peter Cronin, Jon Freeman, Chelsea Field, and Moxy Records’ Rick Kelly.
Gokey’s Sophia’s Heart Foundation Helps Flood Victims
/by contributorIn collaboration with Antioch Together, Living Word Community Church, Best Buy, Freeland Chevrolet, Antioch Cluster Schools and other local businesses, Sophia’s Heart Foundation will be providing food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies and other items of immediate need to families impacted by the flood.
Anyone interested in supporting the Antioch Relief Center can do so in several ways:
· Donate food, clothing, cleaning supplies, toiletries, blankets, bedding, shoes, and bottled water directly to the Flood Relief Center.
· Text to donate by texting “ONEHEART” to 85944, a $10 donation will be added to your phone bill.
· You can also donate online at http://www.sophiasheart.org/news.php
100% of the proceeds of all donations will go to directly benefit families in need. Donations will provide immediate relief for families who need it the most. As President and Founder of Sophia’s Heart Foundation, Danny Gokey recently told the Tennessean, “This isn’t about us –it’s about love. And love is action.”
Established in 2008, Sophia’s Heart Foundation exists to help mend and heal the hearts of children and families who have been touched by poverty, sickness, disease, broken families and broken dreams.
The Flood Relief Center is located at Antioch Relief Center at Old Best Buy Building, 5320 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch, TN 37013. The Center is open Monday-Saturday 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. For more information visit www.sophiasheart.org or call 1-888-519-6669.
“Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman” Returns
/by contributorThe highlight of Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman this year is certain to be the special appearance of Bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs on July 22nd.
”Mr. Scruggs is the only remaining member of the ensemble referred to as the original bluegrass band and his appearance at the Ryman where he helped birth a new style of music is testament to his continuing influence and creativity,” commented Dan Hays, Executive Director, International Bluegrass Music Association.
Mr. Scruggs is long-credited with a special place in music history for a historic performance on the Ryman stage on December 8th, 1945. On that winter night, a twenty-one year old Scruggs joined Bill Monroe on stage for the first time. The definitive sound of bluegrass was born that night in large part to Scruggs’ innovative three-finger roll style of playing.
“2010 marks the 65th anniversary of Mr. Scrugg’s first performance on the Ryman stage with Bill Monroe,” said Ryman Auditorium General Manager, Sally Williams. “That historic night laid the foundation for the definitive sound of bluegrass for generations to come. We’re honored to welcome him back to the Ryman to be part of Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman,”
Line-up for 2010 Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman:
June 24
Vince Gill
July 1
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
July 8
The Grascals with special guest J.D. Crowe & The New South
July 15
Dailey & Vincent with special guests The Quebe Sisters Band
July 22
Earl Scruggs
July 29
The Del McCoury Band with special guests Steep Canyon Rangers
All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and are preceded by 650 AM WSM’s Pickin’ on the Plaza featuring regional bluegrass bands from 6:00–6:45 PM. The free showcases take place just outside the main entrance on the plaza near the statue of Captain Tom G. Ryman. Tickets are on sale now through the Ryman box office, online at www.ryman.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Ticket prices start at $26.00 per show and special passes for all 6 shows are only $135.00. For more information visit www.ryman.com/bluegrass.
Hall of Fame Spotlights Statler Brothers
/by contributorLegendary quartet the Statler Brothers, whose tight harmonies and dynamic stage shows delighted decades of fans and influenced generations of country vocal groups that followed, are the subject of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s newest spotlight exhibit, The Statler Brothers: Havin’ Quite a Time, which opens June 1. Incorporating photographs, costumes, instruments and song manuscripts from the Statler Brothers and the Museum’s collection, the exhibition, located within the Museum’s permanent exhibit, will run through May, 2011.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the Country Music Hall of Fame members—Phil Balsley, Jimmy Fortune, Don Reid and Harold Reid—will review their career and discuss the new exhibit on Thursday, June 3, at noon. The program, which is included with Museum admission and free to Museum members, will include an audience question-and-answer session. Following the program, the group will sign autographs in the Museum Store.
The Statler Brothers: Havin’ Quite a Time will trace the quartet’s nearly half-century career, from their early days touring with Johnny Cash to their eventual status as one of country music’s top-grossing and critically acclaimed acts. The Statlers’ unique mixture of humor, showmanship, musical talent and patriotism kept the tradition of quartet singing alive in country music and paved the way for subsequent groups such as the Oak Ridge Boys.
In March 1964, Johnny Cash asked them to join his road show, where they performed for the next eight and a half years. That same year, they renamed themselves the Statler Brothers (after Statler tissues) because there was another successful group called the Kingsmen. Cash insisted that Columbia Records, for which he himself recorded, sign the group, and the Statler Brothers began recording in April 1964. Their first hit, “Flowers on the Wall,” was cut in March 1965 and became a Top 5 country and pop record. However, follow-up hits were elusive and the group’s career had stalled when Jerry Kennedy signed them to Mercury Records in 1969.
Their first Mercury single, “Bed of Rose’s,” was a Top Ten smash. Fifty more hits, all produced by Kennedy, followed over the next three decades. Among their biggest were the nostalgia-fueled tunes “Class of ’57,” “Do You Remember These” and “Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott” and love songs like “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You” and “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?”
In addition to their tight harmonies and humorous, engaging stage presence, the Statlers also possessed prodigious musical talents, writing and arranging most of their hit songs. Their business acumen and well-honed instincts guided them in a succession of wise career decisions, such as initially avoiding overexposure on television and later (in 1991) agreeing to do a weekly TV show on The Nashville Network. They modeled their TNN show after 1950s TV variety programs, unapologetically catering to a segment of the market they believed overlooked by mainstream TV, and the show’s consistently high ratings validated that belief.
The group underwent only one change through the years: Lew DeWitt, who suffered from Crohn’s disease and left the group in 1982, was replaced by Jimmy Fortune. Fortune, though younger, possessed the same abilities and songwriting talent as the rest of the group, and his addition proved a seamless transition.
The Statler Brothers retired in 2002, but their fan base remains strong and the group’s influence on contemporary country music endures. The group, including the late Lew DeWitt, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Among the artifacts on display in The Statler Brothers: Havin’ Quite a Time are:
The Statlers are also the subject of a new, in-depth feature, When It Was Always Summer, and She Was Always Mine: How the Statler Brothers Opened Up Country Music, in the Journal of Country Music, the Museum’s online publication. The Journal has been the leading serious periodical covering country music since its inception in 1971 and is now available to view free of charge on the Museum’s Web site. The article, written by Ed Morris, is enhanced by audio and film clips from the Museum’s collection and is viewable here.