At 80, Don Reid Finally Breaks His Silence About Jimmy Fortune — And His Emotional Words Have Brought Fans to Tears
It was an evening that felt less like a public event and more like a heartfelt homecoming. Inside a packed auditorium in Staunton, Virginia — the birthplace of the Statler Brothers — Don Reid, now 80 years old, stepped up to the microphone and spoke words that immediately hushed the room. For the first time, he openly shared his heart about the man who became his brother not through blood, but through music, faith, and an unbreakable bond: Jimmy Fortune.
Those who attended said Don’s voice carried the kind of emotion only years of experience and gratitude can give. “We started this journey together decades ago,” he began gently. “And when the road shifted, when life changed, and when the faces on stage changed, one thing stayed steady — the music never lost its soul. And that’s because of Jimmy.”
Don Reid has long been known as the storyteller — the voice behind so many of the Statler Brothers’ unforgettable lyrics. But on this night, his story was different. It wasn’t about hits or awards. It was about brotherhood. About the moment when the group, after losing founding member Lew DeWitt, searched not for a “replacement,” but for a spark strong enough to keep their harmony alive.
“When Jimmy walked in,” Don said, his eyes shimmering under the soft stage lights, “we didn’t just find a tenor. We found a friend who could help carry us through the rest of the journey. He didn’t try to fill anyone’s shoes. He just brought his heart. And that heart healed us.”
The audience — filled with lifelong fans, locals, and friends of the group — listened in stillness. Don continued, “Lew’s spirit never left us. But God knew we weren’t finished singing yet — and He sent Jimmy. I believe that with all my heart.”
He paused, glancing toward the empty microphone beside him — a silent, symbolic gesture many in the room immediately felt. “There’s a bond that forms when you sing with someone night after night,” he said quietly. “It’s not just the music that blends — your lives blend too. Jimmy became more than a singer to me. He became family.”
A few people in the front rows wiped their eyes as Don’s voice wavered. “People talk a lot about fame,” he added. “But what matters more than any applause or trophy is knowing that when everything was said and done, we stood together — not as stars, but as brothers. And Jimmy… he made sure our harmony never faded.”
When Don finished, the crowd rose to their feet — not with loud cheers, but with a warm, tender ovation. The applause felt like gratitude, like acknowledgment of something deeply personal and sacred.
In the hours that followed, the moment spread across social media. Fans from across the country called it “the most emotional tribute in Statler Brothers history.” One comment read, “Don Reid didn’t just speak — he opened his soul. You could feel the love between him and Jimmy in every word.”
Jimmy Fortune, now 69, has often credited Don and Harold Reid with shaping his career, guiding his faith, and giving him a place to grow. On this night, Don’s words returned that grace — a living testament to a friendship that has survived time, fame, and even the final curtain.
As Don stepped back from the microphone, he looked out across the crowd and offered one final line — simple, sincere, and unforgettable:
“Jimmy was never just the man who joined us. He was the man who helped us finish the song.”
In that moment, the audience understood. This wasn’t merely a tribute. It was a blessing, a farewell of sorts, and a reminder that harmony isn’t only something you hear — it’s something you carry with you, long after the music has faded.