Lester James Fortune Sr. (born March 11, 1955) is an American country music singer from Nelson County, Virginia. Fortune sang tenor for The Statler Brothers for 21 years, and wrote the song "Elizabeth" for the group. When the Statler Brothers disbanded, he began to perform as a solo artist.
Fortune was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 as a member of The Statler Brothers.
Biography Fortune grew up in Nelson County, Virginia, where he attended Nelson County High School in Lovingston, Virginia.
The original tenor of the Statler Brothers, Lew DeWitt, heard Fortune sing at a local ski resort. DeWitt suffered from Crohn's disease and asked Fortune to audition for the band. Fortune started performing with the Statlers in 1982, originally as a temporary replacement. He joined permanently when DeWitt left due to ill health.
Fortune wrote several number-one songs recorded by the Statler Brothers, including "Elizabeth", "Too Much on My Heart", and "My Only Love". "More Than a Name on a Wall" was a top-10 country hit. He spent 21 years touring, singing, and performing with the Statler Brothers.
After the Statlers disbanded in 2002, Fortune continued his career as a solo artist with an extensive performance schedule in the U.S. and Canada. He has continued as a songwriter and has recorded some projects in Nashville. In 2015, he released Hits & Hymns produced by Ben Isaacs. The album reached the Top Ten on Billboard'''s Top Country Albums chart. The DVD release of a TV special, "Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns," hosted by Bill Gaither, debuted at number one on the Billboard Music Video chart. In 2020, Fortune joined Bradley Walker, Ben Isaacs, and Mike Rogers to form Brothers of the Heart. They have released three albums to date: Brotherly Love (2020), Listen To The Music (2023), and Will The Circle Be Unbroken'' (2023).
In 2023, a bronze statue of Fortune was unveiled in Nelson County, Virginia. Fortune attended the ceremony, where a statue of fellow Nelson County native Earl Hamner Jr. was also dedicated.Shipley, Kaylee. "Nelson County unveils Earl Hamner Jr. and Jimmy Fortune statues". ABC13 News. Published July 9, 2023. Accessed January 3, 2024.
Discography
Albums Title Details Peak chart positions Sales US Country US US Christ When One Door Closes Release date: August 12, 2003 Label: Audium Entertainment — — — I Believe Release date: December 27, 2005 Label: Fortune Enterprises — — — Feels Like Christmas Release date: November 29, 2007 Label: Fortune 4 — — — Windows Release date: December 8, 2009 Label: Fortune Enterprises — — — Lessons Release date: August 28, 2012 Label: Fortune Enterprises — — — Hits & Hymns Release date: October 23, 2015 Label: Gaither Music Group 10 156 6 US: 42,800 Sings the Classics Release date: April 21, 2017 Label: Spring House Music Group — — — US: 13,400 God & Country Release date: May 24, 2019 Label: Gaither Music Group — — 11US: 7,400 "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Singles Year Single Album 2003 "What Money Can't Buy" When One Door Closes 2004 "Elizabeth"
Guest singles Year Single Artist Album 2013"God Bless the Children" Turbo Twang'n 2013 "Working on a Building" Marty Raybon (with T. Graham Brown & Trace Adkins) Working on a Building
Music videos Year Video Director 1997 "Dare the World" (Various Artists) John Lloyd Miller
References
External links Official Website