I was at this concert...i followed Lew until close to the time he passed away. He was a dear friend. What a bundle of talent...and a good man. Priceless indeed.
Lew had one of the greatest tenor voices in ANY type of music. Most people never understood exactly how high he could go in his prime. It was like music itself . :)
A wonderful talented man, love to hear him sing so sad he is not with us, my husband was in country music and I never got to meet him sadly. I love to listen to him
Such a beautiful voice and love hearing him sing. MIssed him after he had to leave the Statlers! God Blessed you with such an amazing voice and yes you did leave your mark on this old world! Thank for this post and all the others as well!
Thank You so much for posting this performance of one of the greatest country music legends in history. His voice was one of a kind and is still missed to this day.
Thank You from Australia. I can't make the font size for "Thank You' big enough. I saw Lew with the Johnny Cash Show in 1971 and will never forget it. Barcoo
The Statlers were my first concert. Saw them March 1975 in Sherman Texas. Then again in 1989 in Denison Texas, (with Jimmy). No one will ever match this group's harmony. I love the Oaks, but, they are not the Statlers. Lee had a one of a kind voice. Poor man was so very sick. May he rest in peace.
What a great tribute to coun try music's greatest tenor, th e late, great Mr. Lew DeWitt. I'm just sorry I never got the opportunity to meet him or t he rest of the Statler Brother s, my favorite vocal group. It 's a shame his illness kept hi m from staying with the boy s 'til the day they retired, & t- hat he died @ such a young age (52). But God needed hi m more, so He took him. Rej oice In Paradise, Lew, you w- ere the greatest, now singin- g in God's Heavenly Choir.
Brian, you may be thinking of Glen Campbell. William Lee Golden left the Statlers for 8 years & was replaced by Joe Bonsall. I know it's kind of confusing for you. Sorry.
@@monerz1 Bill Golden was never with the Statlers; he was the baritone singer for the Oak Ridge Boys; besides him the other members were Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, and Richard Sterban. The Statlers lineup consisted of brothers Harold and Don Reid, Phil Balsley, and tenors Lew DeWitt and later Jimmy Fortune. Sadly Lew had to leave the group due to being ill with Crohn's Disease, and was replaced by Jimmy Fortune, who stayed with the group until the day they retired, then he went on to become a solo artist.
@@kevinmiller6324 Wait, so you're saying Don Reid was replaced by Steve Sanders before Willie Wynn joined the group? I'm confused. I do know the Statlers wrote & recorded, "Bobby Sue". The Oak Ridge Boys retired in 2014 & have not sang together since.
I grew up with parents who were HUGE Statler Bros. fans and while I opted for "edgy" and "cool" music as I got older, I had fond memories of all those car rides as a kid with the Statlers on the tape deck. I remember my parents being really sad that Lew left the group due to Crohn's disease because he was their favorite member. They still faithfully bought the Statlers' music after he was replaced, but I remember thinking they weren't as good anymore. Years later, as a musician, I realized the reason was that losing Lew messed up the special vocal blend the Statlers had. Lew had a superb tenor voice, and as the writer of "Flowers on the Wall" to boot, he definitely made his mark on music.
He is singing "Nobody falls like a fool" Earl Thomas Conley had a hit song with it, but I don't know for sure who wrote the song. Sorry, I could only give you a partial answer.
+Claire Moreau Actually, to let you know, Lew did not have Cancer, he had Crohn's Disease, which is what he passed away from in August of 1990. He died of Complications brought on from the Crohn's Disease. Just to inform you, I got this information directly from the Announcement that TNN made just after his passing.
@@clairemoreau3196 Lew never had Cancer. He had a Digestive System Issues that was known as Chron's Disease. Not related in any way to any form of Cancer.
We seen him live with the stalkers they were great what a show I or we. Right up front this was 1978 in the upper Michigan Escanaba mich 👍they were the best my brother in-law said the Ockriges Brother were the best he just say that to get at me he like both of them Ocks are very good to we seen them 4 times I go again if they came back again they were here last year at our fair Escanaba mich
Gosh, I miss Lew's God Given Voice in Country Music, as well as Gospel. He had a classical, or Opera sounding Tenor Voice which he crafted for Country & Gospel Music as only he could do. Jimmy Fortune did step up to fill Lew's place quite well, but, I must say, that he still does not, & never quite will hold a candle to Lew. God Bless you Lew, and I hope that God, Jesus, and all of Heaven's Angels are enjoying your vocal talents, and wonderful sense of humor up there.
We all loved Lew and miss him greatly, but those who praise him and slam Jimmy Fortune are just wrong. And as far as I'm concerned, Jimmy Fortune has an infinitely better voice than Lew had.
i never knew lew had a solo career. as long as he and the other statlers were friends and worked together, why did he go solo? i thought he quit, flat out due to health issues. never knew he went on solo. does anyone know why?
I always heard that his health caused him to not be able to keep the Statler schedule, so they replaced him with Jimmy Fortune. I don't think Lew was happy about it, but it is all water under the bridge now.
Lew originally joined Phil Balsey, Duane Allen, & Richard Sterban in 1975 to form the Statler Brothers. Their first big hit was, "All the Gold in California".
Don't know where you heard that, but none of it is true. Lew was a fou nding member, with Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and Joe McDorman - later replaced by Harold's brother Don - of the Statler Bros. They were originally called the "Kingsmen". Their very first performance was in 1955 at a local church near their hometown of Staunton, Va. Lew re- mained with the Statlers until 1982, when he was forced to retire due to Chrone's Disease.
They were given their first big break by Garth Brooks. They later wrote a song thanking him entitled, "We Got Paid by Cash". Lew was eventually replaced by Steve Sanders.
I was at this concert...i followed Lew until close to the time he passed away. He was a dear friend. What a bundle of talent...and a good man. Priceless indeed.
This was in Abingdon Virginia
When was this concert?
This is a wonderful video of Lew, His distinctive sound was missed from the Statlers........He was such a large part of the group....
He was A good man miss
@@mikefournier2601 I was saddened when he had to leave the Statlers because of his ill health.
Shamefully - I had forgotten just how beautiful the voice of Lew Dewitt was. A classic sound that was so sweet it was haunting - in a great way!
Lew had one of the greatest tenor voices in ANY type of music. Most people never understood exactly how high he could go in his prime. It was like music itself . :)
Was honored to see him with the Statlers at the Fayette Co. Fair in the early 80's. Love his tenor.
From all of us who never got to see Lew during his short solo career, thanks for uploading this video!
A wonderful talented man, love to hear him sing so sad he is not with us, my husband was in country music and I never got to meet him sadly. I love to listen to him
Such a beautiful voice and love hearing him sing. MIssed him after he had to leave the Statlers! God Blessed you with such an amazing voice and yes you did leave your mark on this old world! Thank for this post and all the others as well!
Saw him several times with the Statlers.Just loved his singing.
Thanks so much for sharing this... It's a dream come true..Don
I was at that concert and remember all of his silliness :) He was such a great singer!
Wasn't this in Abingdon Virginia? We used to have a Burly Tobacco Festival there back in the day.
Thank You so much for posting this performance of one of the greatest country music legends in history. His voice was one of a kind and is still missed to this day.
Lew was AWESOME!!!!! Great guy, gone too soon.
So glad to have found this. I was at the concert at the Burly Tobacco Festival. Loved Lew.
Nothing makes me more emotional than music from this era
...thank you
Me too. Just brings me to tears so quickly.
With Statlers Louisville Ky in 1980ish. Amazing and beautiful. Thank you
Amazing talent. The best tenor of all time.
Good concert. I'm sorry I didn't get to see lew when he was alive. I enjoyed this. Thank you for posting.
Thank You from Australia. I can't make the font size for "Thank You' big enough. I saw Lew with the Johnny Cash Show in 1971 and will never forget it.
Barcoo
I know his son Denver. In fact I saw him last night , he plays guitar in a band here in Tampa Fla. Hes very good.
I wish we could have another Lew. But I don't think that will ever be. He was too great. There will never be another.
I have only gone to one concert in my life .( I am over 50 LOL) It was to the original Statlers with Lew. Brenda Lee was traveling with them
The Statlers were my first concert. Saw them March 1975 in Sherman Texas. Then again in 1989 in Denison Texas, (with Jimmy). No one will ever match this group's harmony. I love the Oaks, but, they are not the Statlers. Lee had a one of a kind voice. Poor man was so very sick. May he rest in peace.
What a great tribute to coun try music's greatest tenor, th e late, great Mr. Lew DeWitt. I'm just sorry I never got the opportunity to meet him or t he rest of the Statler Brother s, my favorite vocal group. It 's a shame his illness kept hi m from staying with the boy s 'til the day they retired, & t- hat he died @ such a young age (52). But God needed hi m more, so He took him. Rej oice In Paradise, Lew, you w- ere the greatest, now singin- g in God's Heavenly Choir.
Lew was really something else! The Denver Crumpler of country music
This guy could make the hair on my arms stand up and give me goosebumps when he hit those high notes.
I DO have this. I got it off of ebay some time ago. It's GREAT! : ) Thanks for posting!!!!
Seriously, thanks for taking the time and effort to post this wonderful concert!
+Brian Wilson ...And thank you for In my room and Barbara Ann
Brian, you may be thinking of Glen Campbell. William Lee Golden left the Statlers for 8 years & was replaced by Joe Bonsall. I know it's kind of confusing for you. Sorry.
@@monerz1 Bill Golden was never with the Statlers; he was the baritone singer for the Oak Ridge Boys; besides him the other members were Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, and Richard Sterban. The Statlers lineup consisted of brothers Harold and Don Reid, Phil Balsley, and tenors Lew DeWitt and later Jimmy Fortune. Sadly Lew had to leave the group due to being ill with Crohn's Disease, and was replaced by Jimmy Fortune, who stayed with the group until the day they retired, then he went on to become a solo artist.
@@kevinmiller6324 Wait, so you're saying Don Reid was replaced by Steve Sanders before Willie Wynn joined the group? I'm confused. I do know the Statlers wrote & recorded, "Bobby Sue". The Oak Ridge Boys retired in 2014 & have not sang together since.
Lew's son Brian played drums on one of my songs 15 years ago. I never even knew I was playing with royalty until about 3 months ago!!
Oh such a voice Lew Dewitt thank you
My husband and I saw the Statler Brothers everytime they were in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lew was there a couple of times. Then, we got to see Jimmy Fortune
Thank-you
What a tenor voice!!!
Happy Birthday Lew!!! I miss you!!!
I grew up with parents who were HUGE Statler Bros. fans and while I opted for "edgy" and "cool" music as I got older, I had fond memories of all those car rides as a kid with the Statlers on the tape deck. I remember my parents being really sad that Lew left the group due to Crohn's disease because he was their favorite member. They still faithfully bought the Statlers' music after he was replaced, but I remember thinking they weren't as good anymore. Years later, as a musician, I realized the reason was that losing Lew messed up the special vocal blend the Statlers had. Lew had a superb tenor voice, and as the writer of "Flowers on the Wall" to boot, he definitely made his mark on music.
Just Great!
Wish I could've seen Lew in concert.
He is singing "Nobody falls like a fool" Earl Thomas Conley had a hit song with it, but I don't know for sure who wrote the song. Sorry, I could only give you a partial answer.
I love Lew. Wish I had been old enough to see him in concert. :-(
Lew singing Flowers On The Wall isn't the same without the rest of his Brothers.
Truth.
this is great--- what year?? Post-Statlers?? super share--- thanks
+Jim Kluth .... He died in 1990. It's when he knew he had cancer! Between 1987 and 1990...
+Claire Moreau Actually, to let you know, Lew did not have Cancer, he had Crohn's Disease, which is what he passed away from in August of 1990. He died of Complications brought on from the Crohn's Disease. Just to inform you, I got this information directly from the Announcement that TNN made just after his passing.
@@clairemoreau3196 Lew never had Cancer. He had a Digestive System Issues that was known as Chron's Disease. Not related in any way to any form of Cancer.
We seen him live with the stalkers they were great what a show I or we. Right up front this was 1978 in the upper Michigan Escanaba mich 👍they were the best my brother in-law said the Ockriges Brother were the best he just say that to get at me he like both of them Ocks are very good to we seen them 4 times I go again if they came back again they were here last year at our fair Escanaba mich
Gosh, I miss Lew's God Given Voice in Country Music, as well as Gospel. He had a classical, or Opera sounding Tenor Voice which he crafted for Country & Gospel Music as only he could do. Jimmy Fortune did step up to fill Lew's place quite well, but, I must say, that he still does not, & never quite will hold a candle to Lew. God Bless you Lew, and I hope that God, Jesus, and all of Heaven's Angels are enjoying your vocal talents, and wonderful sense of humor up there.
We all loved Lew and miss him greatly, but those who praise him and slam Jimmy Fortune are just wrong. And as far as I'm concerned, Jimmy Fortune has an infinitely better voice than Lew had.
I completely agree with you.
Both are great in their own right, Lew personally chose Jimmy to take his place
When was this video taken?
Love this guy Lou❤️👍
no problem
i never knew lew had a solo career. as long as he and the other statlers were friends and worked together, why did he go solo? i thought he quit, flat out due to health issues. never knew he went on solo. does anyone know why?
I always heard that his health caused him to not be able to keep the Statler schedule, so they replaced him with Jimmy Fortune. I don't think Lew was happy about it, but it is all water under the bridge now.
Lew personally chose Jimmy to replace him
i fwwl like they deserrted him in the end
I did know he preformed after the Statler Brothers. This is good
written by Peter McCann and Mark Wright
One of a kind voice
Lew originally joined Phil Balsey, Duane Allen, & Richard Sterban in 1975 to form the Statler Brothers. Their first big hit was, "All the Gold in California".
Don't know where you heard that, but none of it is true. Lew was a fou nding member, with Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, and Joe McDorman - later replaced by Harold's brother Don - of the Statler Bros. They were originally called the "Kingsmen". Their very first performance was in 1955 at a local church near their hometown of Staunton, Va. Lew re-
mained with the Statlers until 1982, when he was forced to retire due
to Chrone's Disease.
They were given their first big break by Garth Brooks. They later wrote a song thanking him entitled, "We Got Paid by Cash". Lew was eventually replaced by Steve Sanders.
Lew never cut an album of his own, but he did record a few with Charlie Pride & C.W. McCall.
@@monerz1 sounds like you're reeling us in....
Well, you are correct that Hee Haw debuted in 1974. However the original hosts were Donna Fargo & Bill Anderson. It was on the air 3 1/2 years.
Loved Lew, but he's really not a headliner. He added so much to the Statler Brothers but falls short on his own.
Says you , but you are wrong !!!
I tend to agree with that. The Statlers as a group put out great music. I will also say, I enjoy Lew's songwriting style over Jimmy's.
I missed him afterche Left the Statler Brothers. But he did a good job recommending Jimmy Fortune to replace him