Jun 26, 1981

"The Originals" brings an RIAA-certified gold album to The Statler Brothers

Jul 4, 1981

The Statler Brothers perform their 12th annual "Happy Birthday U.S.A." hometown concert without a special guest for the first time since the opening year. It proves to be Lew DeWitt's last Fourth of July appearance with the group

Sep 23, 1981

The Statler Brothers perform for president Ronald Reagan during a congressional barbecue at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Oct 23, 1981

Crystal Gayle and The Statler Brothers perform at the Bama Blast, a rare stadium concert at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Nov 21, 1981

The Statler Brothers perform "Years Ago" on NBC-TV's "Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters," which also features the U.S. Air Force choir

Jan 28, 1982

Jimmy Fortune, filling in for ailing Lew DeWitt, performs with The Statler Brothers for the first time in Savannah, Georgia

Jun 7, 1982

The Music City News awards are presented, though two trophies are mistakenly given to artists who did not win. Lew DeWitt rejoins The Statler Brothers to host the show after five months off the road with Crohn's disease

Jun 20, 1982

An audit uncovers a mistake in voting for The Music City News awards. The Best Comedy Act of the Year should have gone to The Statler Brothers, instead of The Mandrells. It's the second error discovered within a week

Jun 25, 1982

The Statler Brothers announce that Crohn's disease has forced the retirement of Lew DeWitt. Jimmy Fortune replaces him, the group's first lineup change in 18 years

Jul 4, 1982

Jerry Reed joins The Statler Brothers at their "Happy Birthday U.S.A." concert in Staunton, Virginia, drawing 65,000 fans. It's the first Fourth of July concert for new Statler Jimmy Fortune