The Gospel Music of Jimmy Fortune

The Gospel music of Jimmy Fortune is some of the most beautiful and uplifting music you will ever hear. His voice is truly a gift from God.

Introduction

Jimmy Fortune is an American country music singer. He was a member of the Statler Brothers from 1983 to 2002, and has had a successful solo career since then. He has released ten studio albums, four of which have charted on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. His singles include “That’s When You Begin to Love”, “I Will”, “Something in Red”, and “More Than I Can Say”.

Jimmy Fortune was born in Reidsville, North Carolina on December 3, 1955. He began playing guitar and singing when he was eight years old. His father, Jay Fortune, was a country music singer who performed with such artists as Ernest Tubb and Webb Pierce. Jimmy began touring with his father’s band when he was sixteen. After graduating from high school, he joined The Statler Brothers as a replacement for Lew DeWitt, who had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

The Statler Brothers were an American country music group founded in 1955. Originally serving as opening act for Johnny Cash, the group had 21 #1 hits on the Billboard country music charts and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Jimmy Fortune sang lead vocals on such hits as “My Only Love”, “More Than a Name on a Wall”, and “Elizabeth”. After the group disbanded in 2002, Jimmy launched a solo career.

Jimmy Fortune has released ten studio albums:
-I Believe (2003)
-Classics (2004)
-Hit Songs of The Statler Brothers (2005)
-Songs from the Heart (2006)
-God & Country (2007)
-Startin’ Over (2009)
-Fortune Road (2011)
-Window Up Above (2013)
-Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents: Documental (2016)
-All Over Again (2018)

Early Life and Career

Jimmy Fortune was born in Williamsburg, Virginia on February 3, 1955. Fortune always had a passion for music and started playing the guitar when he was eight years old. When he was sixteen, he joined a band called The Country Wonders. The band travelled around playing at different venues and churches. After high school, Fortune joined The Statler Brothers.

Growing up in Virginia

Jimmy Fortune was born in Williamsburg, Virginia on April 16, 1955. He was raised in a family of musicians – his father was a guitar player and his mother a singer. His first musical experience came at the age of four when he sang with his parents at their church. When he was eight years old, he joined the church choir and began taking guitar lessons.

After graduating from high school, Fortune enrolled in Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia where he studied music Theory and Composition. While in college, he became a member of The Country Gentlemen – a well-known country bluegrass band. He toured with them for two years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a solo career in country music.

In Nashville, Fortune met Rick Evans – a songwriter who had penned several hits for The Statler Brothers. Evans helped Fortune get his start as a professional songwriter and also introduced him to the members of The Statler Brothers. In 1983,fortune auditioned for and became a member of The Statler Brothers – one of the most successful country groups of all time.

First musical experiences

Jimmy Fortune grew up in Stuart, Virginia. His father and grandfather were both musicians, and his mother was a singer. As a child, he sang in the church choir and listened to country music on the radio. In high school, he played football and sang in the school chorus. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army for two years.

In 1978, Fortune began working as a backup singer for country music artist Marty Robbins. He toured with Robbins for two years and then joined the Statler Brothers in 1980. He remained with the group until 2002, when he left to pursue a solo career.

Fortune has released four solo albums: I Believe (2003), When One Door Closes (2005), Hits & Hymns (2011), and Titans of Country (2017). He continues to tour and perform throughout the United States.

Joining the Statler Brothers

In June of 1982, following auditions in Nashville, Tennessee, Jimmy was hired as the tenor singer for the legendary country music group, The Statler Brothers. His first show with the group was in Kansas City, Missouri. When asked how he felt standing onstage for the first time as a Statler Brother, Jimmy said:

“I’ll never forget it. I was so nervous I couldn’t even talk when Harold introduced me to the crowd. All I could do was just stand there and wave. After a few minutes I began to calm down and actually started enjoying myself.”

Jimmy spent 21 years touring and recording with the group. He appeared on numerous television shows including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Beverly Hillbillies Reunion Special, Hee Haw, and PBS’s In Performance at the White House.

Jimmy Fortune’s Solo Career

Jimmy Fortune was a former member of the Statler Brothers. He embarked on a solo career in 1983 and has been a force in country and gospel music ever since. Jimmy Fortune has had several hits on the country charts and his gospel music is beloved by many fans.

The early years

Jimmy Fortune was born in Pedmont, Virginia on March 11, 1955. When he was just three years old, his family moved to Williamsburg, where he began singing in church. It was here that he developed a love for gospel music. After high school, he went on to study music at Liberty University.

In the early 1980s, Fortune began touring with The Statler Brothers. He remained with the group for over 20 years, until they retired in 2002. During his time with The Statler Brothers, Fortune had the opportunity to sing lead on some of their most popular songs, including “Elizabeth”, “My Only Love”, and “More Than a Name on a Wall”.

In 1983, Fortune married his wife Debbie and they have two children together. In 2001, tragedy struck when their daughter Lauren was killed in a car accident. Fortune wrote the song “More Than a Name on a Wall” in her memory.

After The Statler Brothers retired, Fortune launched a solo career. He has released four albums – Homeland (2003), When One Door Closes (2005), Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away (2007), and I Believe: The Gospel Collection (2009). He continues to tour and perform around the country.

Success with “I Believe”

After the Statler Brothers retired, Jimmy Fortune embarked on a solo career. His first album, “I Believe,” was released in 2009. The title track quickly became a hit, reaching the top of the Christian music charts.

Since then, Jimmy has released several more albums and has continued to enjoy success as a solo artist. He is a regular headliner at the Grand Ole Opry and is beloved by fans of country and gospel music alike.

Later hits

Jimmy Fortune enjoyed several more hit songs as a solo artist after leaving the Statler Brothers. His most successful single was “I Believe,” which topped the Christian music charts in 2002. He also had success with the song “More Than I Deserve,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Christian charts. Other well-known songs by Jimmy Fortune include “When I’m Home with You” and “There Goes My Everything.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jimmy Fortune is a gospel singer with a passion for music and a heart for God. His songs are inspiring and uplifting, and his message is one of hope and encouragement. If you’re looking for spiritual guidance or simply want to enjoy some great gospel music, be sure to check out the work of Jimmy Fortune.