Fortune’s life is like a country music fairytale. He toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. He joined first as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt in 1982 but soon became a full-fledged member.
Fortune would go on to live up to his name by playing a pivotal role in the Statler Brothers’ 1980s comeback through his emotive songwriting. Fortune penned the group’s second No. 1 hit, “Elizabeth,” and followed it with two more No. 1 hits, including “My Only Love” and “Too Much On My Heart.” He also wrote the Top 10 hits “Forever” and “More Than a Name on a Wall.”
Fortune has performed in all the U.S. states, in Canadian Provinces, and in front of audiences as large as 100,000.His career included The Nashville Network’s popular The Statler Brothers Show which debuted in 1991 as the highest rated show for the network and went on for seven seasons. During his time with the Statlers, he 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.
The Statler Brothers with Fortune were inducted into the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and inducted into the CMA (Country Music Association) Hall of Fame on June 29, 2008. Fortune, as a solo artist, was inducted into the Virginia Musical Hall of Fame in 2018.In 2023, a life-size bronze statue of Fortune was unveiled at the Nelson County Historical Society’s Oakland Museum.
After The Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Fortune seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans.He has since released eight solo records, spanning gospel, Christmas, and country. Fortune has been a Gaither artist since 2015. His first album with the label, the Hits and Hymns CD and DVD, debuted at #10 on the Billboard “Country Album Chart,” #1 on the Billboard “Southern Gospel Chart,” and #6 on the Billboard “Contemporary Christian Chart.” The Hits and Hymns DVD debuted at #1 on Billboard “Music Video Charts.” In 2020, Fortune’s God and Country CD and DVD won a Dove Award for “Country/Gospel/Roots Album of the Year.” Fortune has also had success working with his friends Ben Isaacs, Mike Rogers, and Bradley Walker for quartet-style projects. The group’s sophomore album, Listen To The Music, debuted at #1 on the Billboard “Christian Music Chart.”
Fortune is currently living in Tennessee, writing, touring, and recording music. He is also working on a book titled Jimmy Fortune: The Story of an American Dreamer which is planned for release later in 2025.
For tour dates and more info, visit JimmyFortune.com.
CD Track List:
1. Earl’s Song/Virginia Dreams
2.Thank God For Mamma And Daddy
3.The End Of The World
4. This Old Guitar
5. We Won’t Forget You
6. Elizabeth
7. My Only Love
8. Too Much On My Heart
9.More Than A Name On A Wall
10. On The Other Side
11. I Believe
12. Closer To You
13. Jealous Of The Angels
14. Old Friend I Call Home
DVD Track List:
1. Earl’s Song/Virginia Dreams
2. Thank God For Mamma And Daddy
3. The End Of The World
4. Old Friend I Call Home
5. This Old Guitar
6. We Won’t Forget You
7. Elizabeth
8. My Only Love
9. Too Much On My Heart
10. More Than A Name On A Wall
11. On The Other Side
12. I Believe
13. Closer To You
14. Jealous Of The Angels
About Gaither Music Group:
One of the largest independent Christian music companies in the world and a household name for millions of fans, Gaither Music Group (part of Sun Label Group, which encompasses Gaither Music, Sun Records, Green Hill, emeraldwave by Green Hill, and Rural Rhythm), in partnership with Primary Wave Music Publishing, is known worldwide for its award-winning and top-selling recordings, including the Gaither Gospel Series, of which 133 products have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum.
These recordings, which encompass more than 200 video copyrights, showcase gospel music pioneers; many of the finest performers in the gospel and country genres; up-and-coming acts; and country artists including The Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Fortune, Joey+Rory, Alabama, Alan Jackson, The Statler Brothers, George Jones, Vince Gill, Josh Turner, Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Isaacs, and others.
The Gaither Music Group brand has partnered with established artists including The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, Sandi Patty, Gloria Gaynor, Steven Curtis Chapman, and a host of acclaimed talent from various fields of music. Gaither Music Group has garnered sales of more than 40 million DVDs and CDs, including such PBS stalwarts as Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador, the only authorized video autobiography of Reverend Billy Graham; The Gospel Music of Johnny Cash; and three Elvis Presley projects, including He Touched Me and The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley, in conjunction with the Elvis Presley Estate.
Gaither Music Group developed a strategic partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® in 2008; and its alliances with Capitol Christian Music Group, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, Universal Music Group, and Time Life Music remain bedrocks for the company. Most recently, the Gaither Music TV YouTube channel crossed the 3.7 billion life-to-date streaming benchmark and hosts more than 3.5 million subscribers.