In 1963, as Johnny Cash was riding high on the success of his hit Ring of Fire, a chance meeting at the Virginia Roanoke Fair introduced him to a talented group of young singers, The Statler Brothers. Known for their rich harmonies and distinctive sound, the group impressed Cash so much that he invited them to join his tour with nothing more than a simple handshake. This informal agreement marked the beginning of a decade-long collaboration that would later inspire their song We Got Paid by Cash, a tribute to their time with the legendary country star.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgMufKRh_MM
Originally named The Kingsmen, the group had to change their name in 1963 when another band became popular with the hit Louie Louie. During a stay at a hotel, members Don and Harold Reid, along with Phil Balsley and Lew DeWitt, brainstormed a new name. Inspiration struck when Don noticed a box of Statler tissues, leading them to become The Statler Brothers. Don joked, “We could have ended up as The Kleenex Brothers.”
Their big break came when Johnny Cash saw them perform at the Roanoke Fair in Salem, Virginia. Their seamless mix of gospel and country music caught Cash’s attention, and he invited them to join his tour. With no contracts or formalities, a simple handshake solidified the deal, and the group went on to experience a fruitful, long-lasting partnership.
Don Reid fondly recalled their time with Cash, saying, “He was a living, breathing encyclopedia of music.” Over the next decade, The Statler Brothers toured extensively with Cash, made numerous TV appearances, and recorded hit songs. Their breakthrough moment came in 1965 with Flowers on the Wall, which topped both the pop and country charts. The song earned them two Grammy Awards, including Best New Country and Western Artist, and they outshone big names like The Beatles and The Supremes.
The song Flowers on the Wall enjoyed renewed fame when it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction, during a memorable scene with Bruce Willis’s character Butch. The song’s inclusion helped the soundtrack sell over a million copies. Harold Reid later joked, “Bruce Willis doesn’t often do favors for people, but he sure did for us.”
Johnny Cash’s influence on The Statler Brothers extended beyond their music. Reid once commented, “Touring with Cash was like getting a crash course in the music business. We learned invaluable lessons on what to do—and what not to do.”
Throughout their 12-year career, The Statler Brothers became one of country music’s most beloved groups, releasing over 40 albums and winning numerous awards. They were frequent nominees for the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year and even launched their own variety show on The Nashville Network (TNN) in 1991. The show, which highlighted Harold Reid’s comedic talents, quickly became a top-rated program.
One of the most emotional moments of their show was their performance of More Than a Name on the Wall, a poignant song written by Jimmy Fortune, who had joined the group after Lew DeWitt left due to health problems. The song, which tells the heart-wrenching story of a mother visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, became a fan favorite. In an interview, Fortune described the overwhelming feeling of standing in front of the memorial: “You see those endless rows of names, and each one represents a person, a story. That’s when I realized—they’re more than just names on a wall.”
Sadly, in April 2020, Harold Reid passed away after battling kidney disease. His legacy, along with that of The Statler Brothers, continues to resonate with fans around the world. Their emotional music and timeless contributions to country music remain a lasting testament to their influence.