Jimmy Fortune Explained

Jimmy Fortune
Birth Date:11 March 1955
Birth Place:Williamsburg, Virginia
Origin:Nelson County, Virginia
Genre:Country
Occupation:Singer
Instruments:Vocals, guitar
Years Active:1982–present
Past Member Of:The Statler Brothers
Website:Official Website

Jimmy Fortune (born March 11, 1955) is an American country music singer from Nelson County, Virginia. Fortune sang tenor for The Statler Brothers for 21 years, and wrote the song "Elizabeth" for the group.[1] Shortly after the Statler Brothers disbanded, he began to perform as a solo artist.

Fortune, commonly referred to as the Amish Elvis, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 as a member of The Statler Brothers.

Biography

Fortune grew up in Nelson County, Virginia, where he attended Nelson County High School in Lovingston, Virginia.[2]

The original tenor of the Statler Brothers, Lew DeWitt, heard Fortune sing at a local ski resort. When DeWitt was suffering from Crohn's disease and needed a temporary replacement, he asked Fortune to come to audition for the band in Nashville. Fortune started performing with the Statler Brothers in 1982, originally as a temporary replacement for DeWitt. He joined the group permanently later in the year when DeWitt decided to quit the group due to his illness.[2]

Fortune wrote several number-one songs that were recorded by the Statler Brothers, including "Elizabeth", "Too Much on My Heart", and "My Only Love". "More Than a Name on a Wall" was a top ten country hit. "Elizabeth" recently was a top bluegrass release for Dailey & Vincent. He spent 21 years touring, singing, and performing with the Statler Brothers.

In 2002, after the Statlers disbanded, Fortune continued his career as a solo artist with an extensive performance schedule in the U.S. and Canada. He has continued as a songwriter and has recorded some projects in Nashville that he mostly produced himself. In 2015 he released Hits & Hymns produced by Ben Isaacs.[2] The album reached the Top Ten on Billboards Top Country Albums chart. The DVD release of a TV special, "Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns," hosted by Bill Gaither, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Music Video chart.[1] In 2020, Fortune collaborated with Bradley Walker, Ben Isaacs, and Mike Rogers, and formed a group later named Brothers of the Heart.[3] [4] They have released three albums to date: Brotherly Love (2020),[5] Listen To The Music (2023),[6] and Will The Circle Be Unbroken (2023).[7]

On July 8, 2023, a bronze statue of Fortune was unveiled in Nelson County, Virginia. Fortune attended the ceremony, where a statue of fellow Nelson County native Earl Hamner Jr. was also dedicated.[8]

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsSales
US Country
[9] 		US
[10] 		US Christ
[11]
When One Door Closes ———
I Believe
  • Release date: December 27, 2005
  • Label: Fortune Enterprises
———
Feels Like Christmas
  • Release date: November 29, 2007
  • Label: Fortune 4
———
Windows
  • Release date: December 8, 2009
  • Label: Fortune Enterprises
———
Lessons
  • Release date: August 28, 2012
  • Label: Fortune Enterprises
———
Hits & Hymns
  • Release date: October 23, 2015
  • Label: Gaither Music Group
101566US: 42,800[12]
Sings the Classics[13]
  • Release date: April 21, 2017
  • Label: Spring House Music Group
———US: 13,400[14]
God & Country
  • Release date: May 24, 2019
  • Label: Gaither Music Group
——11
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

YearSingleAlbum
2003"What Money Can't Buy"When One Door Closes
2004"Elizabeth"

Guest singles

YearSingleArtistAlbum
2013"God Bless the Children" [16] Turbo Twang'n
2013"Working on a Building"Marty Raybon (with T. Graham Brown & Trace Adkins)Working on a Building

Music videos

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Fortune smiles on Jimmy Fortune . Ken . Beck . February 23, 2016 . The Wilson Post . May 29, 2017 . August 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160825181209/http://wilsonpost.com/fortune-smiles-on-jimmy-fortune-cms-87393 . live .
  2. News: Statlers' Jimmy Fortune talks 'Hits & Hymns' with PD critic (and former classmate) . Chuck . Yarborough . The Plain Dealer . October 16, 2015 . May 29, 2017 . November 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151118082241/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/10/statlers_jimmy_fortune_talks_h.html . live .
  3. Web site: A Conversation with Brothers of the Heart (Fortune, Walker, Rogers, Isaacs) . Brandon . Woolum . February 10, 2023 . CCM Magazine . April 20, 2023 . April 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183008/https://www.ccmmagazine.com/ccm-cafe/a-conversation-with-brothers-of-the-heart-fortune-walker-rogers-isaacs/ . live .
  4. Web site: Jimmy Fortune, Ben Isaacs, Mike Rogers and Bradley Walker Deliver New Take on Statlers' Classic 'Elizabeth' . Deborah . Evans Price . September 18, 2020 . Sounds Like Nashville . April 20, 2023 . April 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420124458/https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/jimmy-fortune-isaacs-rogers-walker-elizabeth-premiere/ . live .
  5. Web site: Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers & Ben Isaacs Release Gaither Music Group CD, DVD & TV Special . September 3, 2020 . Herb . Longs. The Christian Beat .
  6. Web site: Music News: Brothers of the Heart to perform on The Opry Feb. 7; 'Listen To The Music' hits #1 on Billboard Christian album chart . Today Christian Entertainment . 2023-04-20 . 2023-04-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419181504/https://todayschristianent.com/music-news-brothers-of-the-heart-to-perform-on-the-opry-feb-7-listen-to-the-music-hits-1-on-billboard-christian-album-chart/ . live .
  7. Web site: Brothers of the Heart To Release Third Album 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken' on Nov. 3. 27 October 2023 .
  8. Shipley, Kaylee. "Nelson County unveils Earl Hamner Jr. and Jimmy Fortune statues". ABC13 News. Published July 9, 2023. Accessed January 3, 2024.
  9. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jimmy Fortune|chart=Country Albums}} Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Country Albums]. Billboard.
  10. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jimmy Fortune|chart=Billboard 200}} Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200 ]. Billboard.
  11. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jimmy Fortune|chart=Christian Albums}} Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Christian Albums]. Billboard.
  12. News: Country Album Chart: March 29, 2016 . Matt . Bjorke . March 28, 2016 . Roughstock . April 15, 2016 . July 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062203/http://roughstock.com/news/2016/03/40059-country-album-chart-march-29-2016 . live .
  13. Web site: Jimmy Fortune "Sings the Classics" on New Album, Including "Unchained Melody," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Wake Up Little Susie" & More . Jim . Casey . March 20, 2017 . Nash Country Daily . May 29, 2017 . April 23, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170423191718/http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/03/20/jimmy-fortune-sings-the-classics-on-new-album-including-unchained-melody-take-me-home-country-roads-wake-up-little-susie-more/ . live .
  14. News: Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: April 30, 2018 . Matt . Bjorke . April 30, 2018 . Roughstock . May 18, 2018 . June 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180625185552/http://roughstock.com/news/2018/04/43001-top-10-country-albums-sales-chart-april-30-2018 . live .
  15. Web site: Top 10 Country Albums: Pure Sales Chart for October 7, 2019. RoughStock. Matt. Bjorke. October 7, 2019. October 19, 2019. October 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191017222501/http://roughstock.com/news/2019/10/43981-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-for-october-7-2019. live.
  16. Web site: Nashville All Star Choir . Wayne Warner . November 28, 2019 . December 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191221054859/http://www.waynewarner.com/photos/gbtc/choir.html . live .

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