This emotional song by a renowned band of ‘brothers’ resonates deeply with millions.
In 1963, while Johnny Cash was climbing the charts with “Ring of Fire,” he crossed paths with four talented young men on stage at the Roanoke Fair in Virginia.
Captivated by their vocal harmonies, Cash hired the group, known as the Statler Brothers, with just a handshake. This marked the beginning of a decade-long partnership with the “Man in Black,” which later inspired their song “We Got Paid by Cash.”
The Statler Brothers, made up of Don and Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and Lew DeWitt, originally performed under a different name. However, after another group, The Kingsmen, rose to fame with their hit “Louie Louie,” the Virginia-based quartet had to choose a new identity.
As Don Reid humorously recalled, it was a box of Statler tissues in a hotel room that led to their new name. “We could have been the Kleenex Brothers,” he joked.
Blending country sounds with gospel harmonies, the Statler Brothers continued to rise after their fateful encounter with Cash.
Touring and recording with him, they gained nationwide recognition and signed with Columbia Records.
In 1965, they hit mainstream success with “Flowers on the Wall,” a song that reached both country and pop charts, earning them two Grammy Awards and besting hits like The Beatles’ “Help!” and The Supremes’ “Stop in the Name of Love.”
Decades later, “Flowers on the Wall” gained a new wave of popularity when it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction, playing in a key scene that became iconic.
Keep reading to discover more about the legendary Statler Brothers, including their poignant song, “More than a Name on the Wall,” which touched millions across America.
The Pulp Fiction soundtrack, which featured the Statler Brothers’ hit “Flowers on the Wall,” sold over a million copies. As Harold Reid humorously remarked in a 2015 interview, “Very few people have Bruce Willis help them out.” But even fewer had the legendary Johnny Cash guiding them.
Cash played a pivotal role in their career. “Touring with him was our education in the music industry. We learned the dos and don’ts, and we parted on the best of terms,” Reid shared.
During their 12-year run, the Statler Brothers, known for hits like “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?,” released over 40 albums and were named the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year nine times.
From 1991 to 1998, the Statler Brothers hosted their own variety show on The Nashville Network (TNN). In 1992, it became TNN’s highest-rated program, largely thanks to Harold Reid’s comedic touch.
One memorable episode featured a moving performance of “More Than a Name on the Wall,” a song that brought tears to viewers nationwide. Written by Jimmy Fortune, who joined the group after Lew DeWitt’s departure due to illness, the song reflects on the names etched into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, honoring the 58,381 soldiers who lost their lives.
In an interview with Strictly Country, Fortune explained the deep inspiration behind the song’s heartfelt message, resonating with listeners everywhere.
“You look at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from a distance, and the lines of names seem endless, stretching on and on,” Jimmy Fortune reflected on the powerful monument in Washington, DC. “Each name represents someone’s child, someone’s husband… all those stories and memories. It struck me—they are more than just names on a wall.”
Fortune, who also penned and sang the 1984 hit “Elizabeth,” recalled how the moment deeply moved him. “It was such a profound realization. I knew I had to write that song.”
In April 2020, the Statler Brothers faced a heartbreaking loss when Harold Reid passed away after a long battle with kidney failure.
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