BREAKING NEWS: The Gaither Team Sits Down With Don Reid Of The Statler Brothers — Sharing The Untold Stories Behind “AMEN,” The Group’s Final Album
In a moment that feels both historic and deeply personal, the Gaither Music Team has released a first look at an exclusive, heartfelt interview with Don Reid, the legendary voice, writer, and storyteller of The Statler Brothers. The conversation — centered around the group’s final album, “AMEN” — offers fans a rare glimpse into the heart of a farewell that was as much about faith as it was about music.
Sitting in a warm, familiar studio surrounded by vintage instruments, photographs, and old vinyl sleeves, Don Reid opened up with the same sincerity that made his songs timeless. Reflecting on that closing chapter of The Statlers’ five-decade journey, he spoke not about fame or accolades, but about gratitude — the quiet, enduring kind that lives long after the applause fades.
💬 “It wasn’t just an album,” Don says softly in the interview. “It was our goodbye — our way of saying thank you.”
Released in the late 1990s, “AMEN” became more than a final record — it was a benediction. Each song carried the essence of what made The Statler Brothers beloved: harmony rooted in family, humor touched by humility, and faith woven into every lyric. For Don Reid, Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and Jimmy Fortune, it was never just about the music; it was about connection — to their hometown of Staunton, Virginia, to their fans, and to the God who guided them through every verse and chorus.
In the interview, Don recalls moments from the studio — the laughter, the reverence, the unspoken understanding that this was the last time those four voices would come together on record. “We didn’t talk about it much then,” he admits. “But we all knew. You could feel it in the room — that stillness that comes when something beautiful is coming to an end.”
The Gaither team, known for capturing the spirit of gospel and country legends, described the interview as “a window into both history and heart.” Throughout the conversation, Don shares never-before-heard anecdotes from the making of “AMEN”, including how certain lyrics were inspired by real-life prayers, personal moments of doubt, and the group’s lifelong bond — a brotherhood that remained unbroken through changing decades and inevitable goodbyes.
As the discussion unfolds, Don also reflects on his brother Harold Reid’s humor and wisdom, remembering how Harold would lighten the mood even in the most emotional sessions. “He always knew when to make us laugh,” Don says with a smile. “And he knew when to bow his head, too.”
The upcoming feature — set to premiere this Sunday, July 20th, at 10AM ET on Gaither EXTRA’s YouTube Channel — is already being hailed by fans as one of the most moving tributes to The Statler Brothers ever filmed.
🎥 Viewers describe it as “a moment of grace, memory, and music that still says Amen.”
For longtime followers and new generations discovering their songs, this interview isn’t just a look back — it’s a reminder of why The Statler Brothers’ legacy endures. Because long after the microphones have gone silent, the harmony remains — four voices, one faith, and a word that still echoes in every heart that listens: Amen.