THE STATLER BROTHERS: FROM SMALL-TOWN HARMONY TO COUNTRY MUSIC IMMORTALITY
It all began in 1955, a golden year for country music — and, as Don Reid likes to joke, “a pretty good year to be born.” That was when four young men from Staunton, Virginia came together to form a quartet that would one day become one of the most beloved groups in American music history: The Statler Brothers.
Out of the four, only two were actual brothers — Harold and Don Reid — joined by Phil Balsley and Lew DeWitt. And despite what their name might suggest, there was never a “Statler” among them. The story goes that the group, searching for a stage name, spotted a box of Statler tissues in a hotel room — and just like that, The Statler Brothers were born. It was the kind of humble, accidental beginning that fit perfectly with who they were: ordinary men with extraordinary harmony.
Their sound — warm, sincere, and unmistakably Southern — would soon capture the heart of a nation. Songs like “Flowers on the Wall,” “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine,” “My Only Love,” and “Elizabeth” made them household names. Over the decades, they would earn multiple Grammy Awards, a place in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and an unshakable reputation as America’s favorite singing storytellers.
But their story is about far more than hits and hardware. In a recent interview, Don Reid, who penned most of the group’s lyrics, shared the deeper story behind those songs — and behind the book he recently released, “The Music of The Statler Brothers: An Anthology.” “I wanted to tell the stories behind the music,” Don explained. “How we wrote the songs, how they were arranged, and the memories attached to them. It’s forty years of laughter, hard work, and gratitude.”
The Statler Brothers’ big break came thanks to Johnny Cash, who discovered the group and took them on the road as part of his show in 1964. “Without Johnny Cash,” Don said, “there would have been no Statler Brothers.” They toured with him for more than eight years, appearing on his television show and recording with him on countless sessions. It was a mentorship that turned into a lifelong friendship.
When asked if he had a favorite Statler Brothers song, Don smiled thoughtfully. “They’re all like children,” he said. “You love them all — some you might play a little more often, but they all come from the same heart.” He did admit, though, that “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You” holds a special place for him, calling it one of his personal favorites.
Perhaps one of their most remarkable qualities was their unwavering loyalty to home. While fame could have pulled them toward Nashville or Hollywood, they never left Staunton, Virginia. They kept the same friends, attended the same church, and even set up their offices in their old schoolhouse. “We wrote about nostalgia and small-town life,” Don said. “Living right where we grew up kept those memories fresh.”
Every Fourth of July, the Statlers hosted a massive hometown celebration that drew tens of thousands — a festival of faith, family, and flag-waving pride. “It was a time,” Don reflected, “when you could be patriotic without being political.”
And that small-town spirit continues through the next generation. Wilson Fairchild — the duo formed by Don’s son Langdon Reid and Harold’s son Wil Reid — now carries the family legacy forward. They tour nationally, performing classic Statler hits and new songs that honor the timeless harmony their fathers built.
As for Don Reid, his passion for storytelling hasn’t faded. His book, “The Music of The Statler Brothers: An Anthology,” is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories and lyrical reflections spanning four decades. Available at StatlerBrothers.com, it’s even offered in an audiobook edition, read by Don himself. “Writing it was easier than reading it out loud,” he laughed. “That took a lot more work!”
Looking back, it’s clear why America fell in love with The Statler Brothers. They weren’t chasing fame — they were chasing truth. They sang about family, faith, and the places we never outgrow. Their harmonies carried the sound of a simpler, kinder America — one that still echoes through every note of their music.
As Don Reid said with quiet pride, “We never forgot where we came from — and that made all the difference.”
And so, from a box of tissues to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the legacy of The Statler Brothers remains one of authenticity, brotherhood, and faith — a harmony that time can never silence.
Video