Jimmy Fortune’s “One Last Ride” 2026 Tour Marks a Farewell Steeped in Faith, Memory, and Music
“One last time, I will sing for the friends who became family…” With those words, spoken softly yet carrying the weight of a lifetime, Jimmy Fortune has announced what may be the most personal tour of his career — the “One Last Ride” 2026 Tour. It will be more than a string of concerts. For Fortune, it will be a soul-deep farewell to the road, to the long miles, and to the faces that have been part of his journey for over four decades.
With a tender smile and a voice still as pure as the Shenandoah wind, Fortune has built a career defined not just by his extraordinary tenor, but by the way his songs feel like home to those who hear them. He joined The Statler Brothers in 1982, stepping into a role that would carry him into the hearts of millions, and he remained with them until their retirement in 2002. His songwriting — heartfelt, plainspoken, and sincere — gave the group some of its most enduring hits.
Now, in 2026, Fortune has chosen to bring his touring chapter to a close the way it began: with the song that started it all, Elizabeth. Written in 1984 and first recorded with The Statler Brothers, it became a signature hit, a ballad that captured not just the voice of Jimmy Fortune but the essence of his musical soul. And as he closes this chapter, it will once again fill the air — not just as a performance, but as a living memory.
“This tour is about gratitude,” Fortune shared in his announcement. “Every mile, every stage, every handshake after the show — those aren’t just moments, they’re blessings. I’ve met people who started as fans and became lifelong friends. That’s why this is for them.”
The “One Last Ride” tour will weave together the threads of Fortune’s musical life: faith, family, and the harmony that has always defined his work. Fans can expect the beloved Statler Brothers classics, his own solo career highlights, and gospel standards delivered with the reverence and conviction that have become his hallmark.
From intimate theaters in small towns to larger venues that have hosted him for decades, each stop will be a celebration of the shared bond between artist and audience. Fortune’s setlists will not just be about the hits — they will be about the stories behind them, the people who inspired them, and the memories they carry.
Dates and venues for the “One Last Ride” tour have been revealed, sparking a wave of excitement and a touch of melancholy among fans who know that this may be their final chance to see Fortune on stage.
And yet, for all its sentiment, the tour will not be a farewell to music itself. Fortune has made it clear that while the touring life is ending, his love for songwriting and occasional performances will continue. “The road has been my life for a long time,” he said, “but home has always been my heart.”
When the final night of the tour comes, and Elizabeth rings out for the last time as a closing number, it won’t just be the end of a concert. It will be the closing of a circle — one that began over forty years ago with a young man, a song, and a dream that would carry him into the history of country and gospel music.
For the friends who became family, it will be a night to remember. And for Jimmy Fortune, it will be a ride worth every mile.