NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 23, 2015) – Just in time for Thanksgiving, Jimmy Fortune is bringing back the popular television special “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns”
to audiences nationwide. The Bill Gaither hosted spectacle, which
debuted at No. 1 earlier this month on the Billboard Music Video (DVD)
chart, is back by popular demand, with additional airings Nov. 25-29
(see times below). Fortune also caught up with NASH Country Weekly recently for an upcoming feature in the popular magazine. The issue will hit newsstands December 7.
Don’t miss as Fortune is joined by Dailey & Vincent and Bill
Gaither for select live performances, in addition to the songs from the
accompanying album, Hits & Hymns. Fortune
also opens up about some of his biggest challenges, and greatest
accomplishments, which include being inducted into the Country Music
Hall of Fame and establishing himself as one of the “purest tenor
singers in the format,” according to Billboard.
The Statler Brother discusses what it was like working Vince Gill, The
Isaacs, Dailey & Vincent, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, the
Gaither Vocal Band and The Whites on the star-studded project.
November 25
Heartland – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 8:00PM
November 26
RFD – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 6:30PM
November 27
Vision – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 9:00PM
The Miracle Channel – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 11PM
November 28
CTN – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 4:00PM
CTS – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 3:30PM, 5:00PM
Hope TV – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 12:00AM
RFD – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 6:00PM
TBN – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 7:00PM
The Walk TV – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – check local listings
November 29
Heartland – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – 12:00PM, 8:00PM
TCT – “Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns” – check local listings
One highlight on the album is the track “Life’s Railway to Heaven,”
featuring newly Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, The Oak Ridge
Boys. “We were honored that he asked us to join him on this wonderful
Hymns project,” said Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys. “We have been
singing “Life’s Railway to Heaven” for years, so it was really fun and
easy to interject our four part style with Jimmy’s amazing voice!”
Jimmy Fortune on Tour:
Nov 21 – Shenandoah Caverns, VA – Shenandoah Jamboree at the Yellow Barn
Nov 28 – Myrtle Beach, SC – South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival
Dec 11 – Amherst, VA – Clifford Baptist Church
Dec 14 – Weyers Cave, VA – Weyers Cave Community Center
About Jimmy Fortune:
Jimmy Fortune toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler
Brothers for 21 years. He joined them first as a temporary replacement
for Lew DeWitt, after DeWitt heard him singing at a ski resort and
recommended him. Following an audition in Nashville, Jimmy was contacted
by the Statler Brothers and performed his first show with them on
January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia. Due to the debilitating effects
of Crohn’s Disease, Lew was unable to return to the stage with the
Statlers, and Jimmy was hired as a permanent replacement in August of
1982.
Fortune quickly lived up to his name. He wrote the group’s second No.
1 hit, “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with
two more No. 1 hits–“My Only Love” (from 1984’s Atlanta Blue) and “Too
Much On My Heart” (from 1985’s Pardners in Rhyme). Fortune also wrote
the top-10 hit “Forever” from 1986’s Four for the Show and co-wrote the
top-10 hit “More Than a Name on the Wall” from 1988’s The Greatest Hits.
Jimmy and The Statler Brothers were inducted into the GMA (Gospel
Music Association) Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and inducted into
the CMA (Country Music Association) Hall of Fame in June 29, 2008.
After the Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Jimmy seized
the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his
fans. His first solo CD, When One Door Closes, was released August 2003
on Audium/Koch. He released a gospel album, I Believe, in June 2005, a
Christmas CD, Feels Like Christmas, in 2006, a live concert DVD in 2007
and another country CD, “Windows” in 2009. Jimmy is currently living in
Nashville, writing, and touring.