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Often called “the greatest tenor voice in country music,” Jimmy Fortune toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. He joined them first as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt, after DeWitt heard him singing at a ski resort and recommended him. Following an audition in Nashville, Jimmy was contacted by the Statler Brothers and performed his first show with them on January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia. Due to the debilitating effects of Crohn’s Disease, Lew was unable to return to the stage with the Statlers, and Jimmy was hired as a permanent replacement in August of 1982.

Fortune quickly lived up to his name. He wrote the group's second No. 1 hit, "Elizabeth," on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits--"My Only Love" (from 1984's Atlanta Blue) and "Too Much On My Heart" (from 1985's Pardners in Rhyme). Fortune also wrote the top-10 hit "Forever" from 1986's Four for the Show and co-wrote the top-10 hit "More Than a Name on the Wall" from 1988's The Greatest Hits.

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Jimmy has performed in all of the U.S. States, in Canadian Providences, and in front of audiences as large as 100,000. He was part of the Statlers’ annual Happy Birthday USA celebration in Staunton, Virginia, for 14 years. He also sang on many of the Statlers’ gold, platinum, and double platinum recordings. Jimmy’s career included The Nashville Network’s popular “The Statler Brothers Show” which aired for seven seasons and debuted in 1991 as the highest rated show for the network. Jimmy was privileged to perform at the White House on two occasions, once for President Ronald Reagan, and once for President George H. W. Bush. He also presented a special gift to actress Elizabeth Taylor by singing his song “Elizabeth” to her for a birthday celebration.

After the Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. His first solo CD, When One Door Closes, was released August 2003 on Audium/Koch. He released a gospel album, I Believe, in June 2005 and then a Christmas CD, Feels Like Christmas, in 2006. Jimmy is currently living in Nashville and writing songs for his next project. Jimmy and The Statler Brothers were inducted into the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in June 2008.

AWARDS FOR JIMMY FORTUNE’S SONGS

Although the Statler Brothers were the “most awarded act in country music”, the awards listed below were presented to Jimmy for songs that he has written.

Elizabeth

Billboard #1

1984 Single of the Year –Music City News

1985 National Songwriter of the Year – Music City News

1985 Video of the Year – Music City News

1985 Song of the year –Music City News

The Nashville Songwriters Association International Honor

BMI Citation of Achievement

BMI Citation of over 1 million broadcast performances

My Only Love

Billboard #1

1986 Single of the Year – Music City News

1986 Video of the Year – Music City News

1986 National Songwriter of the Year – Music City News

BMI Citation of Achievement

Too Much On My Heart

Billboard #1

1987 Single of the Year – Music City News

1987 National Songwriter of the Year – Music City News

BMI Citation of Achievement

Forever

Billboard #7

More Than A Name On A Wall

Billboard #6

1990 Single of the Year – Music City News

BMI Citation of Achievement

BMI Citation of over 1 million broadcast performances

2008 Nominated IBMA Song of the Year