The Statler Brothers: Masters of Country and Gospel Harmony

The Statler Brothers were an American country and gospel vocal quartet renowned for their rich, four-part harmonies and storytelling songs. Hailing from Staunton, Virginia, the group achieved massive success with over a dozen number one country hits and a career spanning four decades, earning them induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and multiple Grammy awards.

Early career

The group originally formed in 1955 as a gospel quartet called The Kingsmen. To avoid confusion with the rock band of the same name, they renamed themselves The Statler Brothers in 1963 after a brand of facial tissue. Their professional break came when they were discovered by Johnny Cash, who hired them as his opening act and featured them on his popular television show from 1969 to 1971.

Breakthrough

The Statler Brothers' commercial breakthrough arrived in 1965 with the release of "Flowers on the Wall," a novelty song written by member Lew DeWitt. The track, released on Columbia Records, became a crossover smash, reaching number two on the country charts and number four on the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately earning a gold certification and winning the group their first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Performance.

Key tracks

Flowers on the Wall — This 1965 hit was their mainstream breakthrough, winning a Grammy and defining their early clever, narrative style.

Bed of Rose's — A 1970 country number one that showcased their smoother, more mature harmony sound on the Mercury label.

Do You Know You Are My Sunshine — This 1978 release became their biggest chart-topper, spending two weeks at number one on the country charts.

Elizabeth — A 1984 number one hit that demonstrated their enduring popularity and skill with sentimental story songs.

Class of '57 — A reflective 1972 hit that resonated widely, earning them a second Grammy for Best Country Performance.

Their success continued unabated on the Mercury label throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The Statler Brothers dominated the Country Music Association Awards, winning the Vocal Group of the Year award every year from 1972 to 1977. They also hosted their own popular television variety show, "The Statler Brothers Show," on The Nashville Network from 1991 until 1998.

After Lew DeWitt's departure due to illness in 1982, he was replaced by Jimmy Fortune, who penned several of their later number one hits including "Elizabeth." The group consistently released top-selling albums, with several achieving gold status. They retired from touring in 2002 but left behind a legacy as one of country music's most decorated and beloved harmony groups.

Fans of The Statler Brothers' harmonious country sound also enjoy the music of Oak Ridge Boys, another quartet known for blending gospel roots with country-pop success. The classic storytelling of Johnny Cash is a clear influence, given his direct mentorship of the group. The family harmonies of The Everly Brothers provided a foundational blueprint for close-knit vocal arrangements. For more modern traditional country harmony, listen to Little Big Town and their intricate vocal interplay.

The Statler Brothers' catalog remains a staple on classic country FM stations and Americana format radio streams. Their timeless hits are frequently featured in programming blocks dedicated to country music's golden era and gospel-influenced country sounds.

You can hear the iconic music of The Statler Brothers on dedicated country and classic hits radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their rich discography and understand why their harmonies left a permanent mark on the American country genre.