Jimmy Fortune

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Jimmy Fortune

| image = Jimmy Fortune, 2007 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Fortune (2007)

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|03|11}}

| birth_place = Williamsburg, Virginia

| origin = Nelson County, Virginia

| genre = Country

| occupation = Singer

| instruments = Vocals, guitar

| years_active = 1982–present

| label = {{Flatlist|

Audium
Song Garden
Fortune Enterprises}}

| past_member_of = The Statler Brothers

| website = [http://www.jimmyfortune.com Official Website]

}}

Jimmy Fortune (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.{{cite news |url=http://wilsonpost.com/fortune-smiles-on-jimmy-fortune-cms-87393 |title=Fortune smiles on Jimmy Fortune |first=Ken |last=Beck |date=February 23, 2016 |work=The Wilson Post |access-date=May 29, 2017 |archive-date=August 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825181209/http://wilsonpost.com/fortune-smiles-on-jimmy-fortune-cms-87393 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/10/statlers_jimmy_fortune_talks_h.html |title=Statlers' Jimmy Fortune talks 'Hits & Hymns' with PD critic (and former classmate) |first=Chuck |last=Yarborough |work=The Plain Dealer |date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 29, 2017 |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118082241/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/10/statlers_jimmy_fortune_talks_h.html |url-status=live }}

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 ten 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 No. 1 on the Billboard Music Video chart.

In 2020, Fortune joined Bradley Walker, Ben Isaacs, and Mike Rogers to form Brothers of the Heart.{{cite web |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/ccm-cafe/a-conversation-with-brothers-of-the-heart-fortune-walker-rogers-isaacs/ |title=A Conversation with Brothers of the Heart (Fortune, Walker, Rogers, Isaacs) |first=Brandon |last=Woolum |date=February 10, 2023 |work=CCM Magazine |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183008/https://www.ccmmagazine.com/ccm-cafe/a-conversation-with-brothers-of-the-heart-fortune-walker-rogers-isaacs/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/jimmy-fortune-isaacs-rogers-walker-elizabeth-premiere/ |title=Jimmy Fortune, Ben Isaacs, Mike Rogers and Bradley Walker Deliver New Take on Statlers' Classic 'Elizabeth' |first=Deborah |last=Evans Price |date=September 18, 2020 |work=Sounds Like Nashville |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420124458/https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/jimmy-fortune-isaacs-rogers-walker-elizabeth-premiere/ |url-status=live }} They have released three albums to date: Brotherly Love (2020),{{cite web |url=https://www.thechristianbeat.org/index.php/new-music/8383-jimmy-fortune-bradley-walker-mike-rogers-ben-isaacs-release-gaither-music-group-cd-dvd-tv-special |title=Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers & Ben Isaacs Release Gaither Music Group CD, DVD & TV Special |date= September 3, 2020 |first= Herb |last=Longs|work=The Christian Beat }} Listen To The Music (2023),{{cite web |url=https://todayschristianent.com/music-news-brothers-of-the-heart-to-perform-on-the-opry-feb-7-listen-to-the-music-hits-1-on-billboard-christian-album-chart/ |title=Music News: Brothers of the Heart to perform on The Opry Feb. 7; 'Listen To The Music' hits #1 on Billboard Christian album chart |work=Today Christian Entertainment |date=31 January 2023 |access-date=2023-04-20 |archive-date=2023-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419181504/https://todayschristianent.com/music-news-brothers-of-the-heart-to-perform-on-the-opry-feb-7-listen-to-the-music-hits-1-on-billboard-christian-album-chart/ |url-status=live }} and Will The Circle Be Unbroken (2023).{{cite web |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/brothers-of-the-heart-to-release-third-album-will-the-circle-be-unbroken-on-nov-3/|title=Brothers of the Heart To Release Third Album 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken' on Nov. 3|date=27 October 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. [https://wset.com/news/local/nelson-county-virginia-unveils-earl-hamner-jr-and-jimmy-fortune-statues-historical-societys-oakland-museum-july-2023 "Nelson County unveils Earl Hamner Jr. and Jimmy Fortune statues"]. ABC13 News. Published July 9, 2023. Accessed January 3, 2024.

Discography

=Albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"\| Title ! rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"\| Details ! colspan="3"\| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"\| Sales
style="font-size:smaller;" ! width="45"\| US Country {{cite magazine\|url={{BillboardURLbyName\|artist=Jimmy Fortune\|chart=Country Albums}}\|title=Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Country Albums\|magazine=Billboard}} ! width="45"\| US {{cite magazine\|url={{BillboardURLbyName\|artist=Jimmy Fortune\|chart=Billboard 200}}\|title=Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200 \|magazine=Billboard}} ! width="45"\| US Christ {{cite magazine\|url={{BillboardURLbyName\|artist=Jimmy Fortune\|chart=Christian Albums}}\|title=Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Christian Albums\|magazine=Billboard}}
scope="row"\| When One Door Closes \| Release date: August 12, 2003 Label: Audium Entertainment \| — \| — \| — \|
scope="row"\| I Believe \| Release date: December 27, 2005 Label: Fortune Enterprises \| — \| — \| — \|
scope="row"\| Feels Like Christmas \| Release date: November 29, 2007 Label: Fortune 4 \| — \| — \| — \|
scope="row"\| Windows \| Release date: December 8, 2009 Label: Fortune Enterprises \| — \| — \| — \|
scope="row"\| Lessons \| Release date: August 28, 2012 Label: Fortune Enterprises \| — \| — \| — \|
scope="row"\| Hits & Hymns \| Release date: October 23, 2015 Label: Gaither Music Group \| 10 \| 156 \| 6 \| US: 42,800{{cite news \|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2016/03/40059-country-album-chart-march-29-2016 \|title=Country Album Chart: March 29, 2016 \|first=Matt \|last=Bjorke \|date=March 28, 2016 \|work=Roughstock \|access-date=April 15, 2016 \|archive-date=July 31, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062203/http://roughstock.com/news/2016/03/40059-country-album-chart-march-29-2016 \|url-status=live }}
scope="row"\| Sings the Classics{{cite web \|url=http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/03/20/jimmy-fortune-sings-the-classics-on-new-album-including-unchained-melody-take-me-home-country-roads-wake-up-little-susie-more/ \|title=Jimmy Fortune "Sings the Classics" on New Album, Including "Unchained Melody," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Wake Up Little Susie" & More \|first=Jim \|last=Casey \|date=March 20, 2017 \|work=Nash Country Daily \|access-date=May 29, 2017 \|archive-date=April 23, 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423191718/http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/03/20/jimmy-fortune-sings-the-classics-on-new-album-including-unchained-melody-take-me-home-country-roads-wake-up-little-susie-more/ \|url-status=live }} \| Release date: April 21, 2017 Label: Spring House Music Group \| — \| — \| — \| US: 13,400{{cite news \|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2018/04/43001-top-10-country-albums-sales-chart-april-30-2018 \|title=Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: April 30, 2018 \|first=Matt \|last=Bjorke \|date=April 30, 2018 \|work=Roughstock \|access-date=May 18, 2018 \|archive-date=June 25, 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625185552/http://roughstock.com/news/2018/04/43001-top-10-country-albums-sales-chart-april-30-2018 \|url-status=live }}
scope="row"\| God & Country \| Release date: May 24, 2019 Label: Gaither Music Group \| — \| — \| 11 \| US: 7,400{{cite web\|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2019/10/43981-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-for-october-7-2019\|title=Top 10 Country Albums: Pure Sales Chart for October 7, 2019\|work=RoughStock\|first=Matt\|last=Bjorke\|date=October 7, 2019\|access-date=October 19, 2019\|archive-date=October 17, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017222501/http://roughstock.com/news/2019/10/43981-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-for-october-7-2019\|url-status=live}}
colspan="6" style="font-size:8pt"\| "—" denotes releases that did not chart

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title

! rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Details

! colspan="3"| Peak chart positions

! rowspan="2" style="width:8em;"| Sales

style="font-size:smaller;"

! width="45"| US Country
{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jimmy Fortune|chart=Country Albums}}|title=Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Country Albums|magazine=Billboard}}

! width="45"| US
{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jimmy Fortune|chart=Billboard 200}}|title=Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard}}

! width="45"| US Christ
{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jimmy Fortune|chart=Christian Albums}}|title=Jimmy Fortune Album & Song Chart History - Christian Albums|magazine=Billboard}}

scope="row"| When One Door Closes

Release date: August 12, 2003
Label: Audium Entertainment

| —

scope="row"| I Believe

Release date: December 27, 2005
Label: Fortune Enterprises

| —

scope="row"| Feels Like Christmas

Release date: November 29, 2007
Label: Fortune 4

| —

scope="row"| Windows

Release date: December 8, 2009
Label: Fortune Enterprises

| —

scope="row"| Lessons

Release date: August 28, 2012
Label: Fortune Enterprises

| —

scope="row"| Hits & Hymns

Release date: October 23, 2015
Label: Gaither Music Group

| 10

| 156

| 6

| US: 42,800{{cite news |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2016/03/40059-country-album-chart-march-29-2016 |title=Country Album Chart: March 29, 2016 |first=Matt |last=Bjorke |date=March 28, 2016 |work=Roughstock |access-date=April 15, 2016 |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062203/http://roughstock.com/news/2016/03/40059-country-album-chart-march-29-2016 |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| Sings the Classics{{cite web |url=http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/03/20/jimmy-fortune-sings-the-classics-on-new-album-including-unchained-melody-take-me-home-country-roads-wake-up-little-susie-more/ |title=Jimmy Fortune "Sings the Classics" on New Album, Including "Unchained Melody," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Wake Up Little Susie" & More |first=Jim |last=Casey |date=March 20, 2017 |work=Nash Country Daily |access-date=May 29, 2017 |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423191718/http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/03/20/jimmy-fortune-sings-the-classics-on-new-album-including-unchained-melody-take-me-home-country-roads-wake-up-little-susie-more/ |url-status=live }}

Release date: April 21, 2017
Label: Spring House Music Group

| —

| US: 13,400{{cite news |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2018/04/43001-top-10-country-albums-sales-chart-april-30-2018 |title=Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: April 30, 2018 |first=Matt |last=Bjorke |date=April 30, 2018 |work=Roughstock |access-date=May 18, 2018 |archive-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625185552/http://roughstock.com/news/2018/04/43001-top-10-country-albums-sales-chart-april-30-2018 |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| God & Country

Release date: May 24, 2019
Label: Gaither Music Group

| —

| 11

US: 7,400{{cite web|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2019/10/43981-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-for-october-7-2019|title=Top 10 Country Albums: Pure Sales Chart for October 7, 2019|work=RoughStock|first=Matt|last=Bjorke|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=October 19, 2019|archive-date=October 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017222501/http://roughstock.com/news/2019/10/43981-top-10-country-albums-pure-sales-chart-for-october-7-2019|url-status=live}}

colspan="6" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

! Year

! style="width:16em;"| Single

! Album

2003

! scope="row"| "What Money Can't Buy"

| rowspan="2"| When One Door Closes

2004

! scope="row"| "Elizabeth"

=Guest singles=

class="wikitable"

! Year

! Single

! Artist

! Album

2013

! scope="row"|"God Bless the Children" {{small|(with Wayne Warner and the Nashville All-Star Choir)}}{{cite web | url=http://www.waynewarner.com/photos/gbtc/choir.html | title=Nashville All Star Choir | work=Wayne Warner | access-date=November 28, 2019 | archive-date=December 21, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221054859/http://www.waynewarner.com/photos/gbtc/choir.html | url-status=live }}

| Turbo Twang'n

2013

| "Working on a Building"

| Marty Raybon (with T. Graham Brown & Trace Adkins)

| Working on a Building

=Music videos=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
Year ! style="width:16em;"\| Video ! Director
1997 ! scope="row"\| "Dare the World" (Various Artists) \| John Lloyd Miller

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

Year

! style="width:16em;"| Video

! Director

1997

! scope="row"| "Dare the World" (Various Artists)

| John Lloyd Miller