In the history of music, ego is usually the driving force. Singers cling to the microphone until they are dragged off stage. But Lew DeWitt, the original tenor of The Statler Brothers, taught the world a different lesson. He taught us that sometimes, the greatest act of love is to step aside.
For nearly two decades, Lew DeWitt was the “high voice” of country gospel. If you know the song “Flowers on the Wall,” you know Lew. That sharp, crystal-clear tenor line was the signature sound that made The Statler Brothers legends.
But while the world saw a smiling star in a colorful suit, Lew was fighting a private, agonizing war.
The Secret Pain
Lew was battling severe Crohn’s disease. In the 1970s and 80s, treatments were limited. The disease was ravaging his body from the inside out. He was often in excruciating pain while performing, smiling through the agony for the sake of the fans. He was wasting away, becoming frail and thin, his energy depleted.
He knew his time on the road was ending. He knew the rigorous touring schedule was killing him. But he loved the group—Harold, Don, and Phil—too much to just quit and leave them stranded.
He didn’t just need a substitute; he needed a successor.
The Discovery
Legend has it that Lew found Jimmy Fortune—a young, unknown singer with a sky-high tenor voice. Most aging stars would feel threatened by a younger, more energetic talent. Lew DeWitt didn’t feel threatened; he felt relieved.
He took Jimmy under his wing. He mentored him. He prepared him to take the wheel.
The Night the Music Changed
The transition happened over time, but the emotional peak of this story is often remembered as a single, defining moment on stage.
It was a night like any other. The lights were hot. The crowd was roaring. Lew DeWitt stepped up to the microphone to sing his signature parts. But his body, exhausted and broken, finally rebelled.
As the band played the upbeat rhythm of “Flowers on the Wall,” Lew reached for the high note—the note he had hit thousands of times. But the air wasn’t there. The strength was gone.
The crowd didn’t notice yet, but Lew did.
He didn’t panic. He didn’t stop the show. He simply turned his head and locked eyes with Jimmy Fortune, who was standing in the background.
Lew signaled him forward.
“You Can Do This”
The young Jimmy Fortune froze. This was Lew’s spot. This was Lew’s moment.
Lew walked over, placed a trembling hand on the young man’s shoulder, and whispered the words that would change country music history: “You can do this. Take it.”
Lew stepped back, retreating into the shadows of the stage wings—the place where the spotlight doesn’t reach.
Jimmy stepped up. He adjusted the mic stand. He didn’t try to imitate Lew. He just opened his mouth and sang. He sang a song he had written himself, a song called “Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth, I love you / You’re every star that shines in the world to me…”
The voice was pure. It was powerful. It soared through the auditorium, carrying a fresh energy that the group hadn’t felt in years.
The Smile in the Shadows
While the audience was captivated by the new sound, the most heartbreakingly beautiful scene was happening in the dark.
Lew DeWitt stood there, leaning against an amplifier for support. He was watching the group he helped build continue without him. Tears were streaming down his face—not tears of bitterness, but tears of pride.
He saw the crowd cheering for Jimmy. He saw his friends smiling again. He knew he had made the right choice.
By giving up his place, he saved the band.
A Legacy of Grace
Lew DeWitt officially retired in 1982. Because of his selfless decision to bring in Jimmy Fortune, The Statler Brothers went on to have a massive “second career,” scoring number-one hits like “Elizabeth,” “My Only Love,” and “Too Much on My Heart”—all written by Jimmy.
Lew passed away in 1990, but he lived long enough to see his sacrifice bear fruit.
True leadership isn’t about holding onto power forever. It’s about recognizing when it’s time to pass the torch, and doing it with grace. Lew DeWitt gave away his voice so the music could live on.
And that is a legacy that hits higher than any note ever could.