Thanks Top Ten: Thank You, World (#1)

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Oh, the sad irony. Today I close out the list of favorites with “thanks” in the title with a group who was just in the news for a bad reason. No manipulation of the list...this is easily my favorite. And here it is. #1: Thank You, World - Statler Brothers There’s a magic in harmony for me. And oh, did these guys have it. There are some things halls of fame do that irritate me to no end (like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Linda Ronstadt). I’m furious that these guys didn’t get inducted until 2008...43 years after their first major hit (“Flowers on the Wall”), 18 years after original tenor Lew DeWitt passed away, five years after they retired from performing....and after the Oak Ridge Boys and Alabama. I love the Oaks (I’ve seen them 15 times over the years, given that they always play our State Fair) and I agree with Robbie Fulks about Alabama (“Alabama’s grand, the state not the band”). But that’s all water — however murky or polluted — under the bridge. Last week the second member of the Statler Brothers, bass singer Harold Reid, passed away. (If you want to read something beautiful, check out his brother and fellow Statler Don Reid’s lovely tribute on Don’s website), leaving a massive hole in the world of country harmony. In this big hit they gave a shout-out to the fans and the ability to sing, perform, entertain, and make a career out of it, which “contribute(s) to the cause.” Oh, did they ever. Rest In Peace, Harold. And thanks for reading, everyone. Thank You, World Written by Don Reid and Lew DeWitt Recorded by the Statler Brothers From Thank You, World, 1974 Like Stonewall Jackson stood: