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Troubadour Tapestry of Tunes

August 14, 2024

Call for Country Singer-Songwriters: Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune judges Bosque Arts Center Texas Troubadour Country Music Songwriting Competition Oct. 26; entry deadline extended until Sept. 3

CLIFTON – Songwriters weave stories between the notes and the rhythms of their songs; stories of heartache and loss, of love and beauty. And this is especially true in country music.

For the Bosque Arts Center, the 11th Annual Texas Troubadour Country Music Songwriting Competition provides country music singer-songwriters an opportunity for recognition of their talent as they were put in the spotlight and celebrated. The judges pick their favorites, and there’s a People’s Choice, and they headline the event with a great concert.

With the entry deadline for this year’s Texas Troubadour Songwriter Classic extended until Sept. 3, there is still a chance to enter, if you hurry. The two-part Troubadour contest is open to country music songwriters and singer/songwriters with $1,000 awarded for the Song of the Year and $1,500 and $500 for the Texas Troubadour and People’s Choice live performance awards, respectively.

The contest accepts mp3 entries online and mailed CDs. The fee for entering online is $15 per song; mailed entries are $20 per song. A one-time $15 fee applies for those wishing to be considered for the live event in October. Complete entry guidelines and information are available at the Bosque Arts Center website. Call 254-675-3724 with questions.

The BAC will welcome singer-songwriter Jimmy Fortune of Statler Brothers fame to serve as judge for the 11th Annual Texas Troubadour Songwriter Classic Oct. 26. Fortune selects the winner from the 10 finalists performing at the live event, then follows with a concert of his own. He plans to play a compilation of Statler classics and favorites from his solo career. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the full array of food and beverages for sale.

Fortune joins a long list of illustrious past judges for the Troubadour contest like country music stars Ray Wylie Hubbard, Hal Ketchum, Red Steagall, Michael Martin Murphy, Marty Haggard, Moe Bandy and Suzy Bogguss with Doug Crider.

The mustached tenor Fortune first joined the legendary Statler Brothers as a temporary replacement for tenor Lewis DeWitt. For 21 years, Fortune toured, sang and performed with the Statler Brothers. Fortune became a permanent member of the group in August of 1982 when DeWitt’s health forced him to retire.

Fortune quickly lived up to his name, writing the group’s second number one hit, “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, followed by 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 a Wall” from 1988’s The Greatest Hits.

Fortune and The Statler Brothers were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and inducted into the Country Music Association Hall of Fame on June 29, 2008. Jimmy, as a solo artist, was inducted into the Virginia Musical Hall of Fame in 2018. Fortune’s career included The Nashville Network’s popular “The Statler Brothers Show” which debuted in 1991 as the highest rated show for the network and aired for seven seasons.

Fortune was privileged to perform at the White House on two occasions, once for President Ronald Reagan, and once for President George H. W. Bush. He also presented a special gift to actress Elizabeth Taylor by singing his song “Elizabeth” to her for a birthday celebration. Fortune has performed in all of the U.S. States, in Canadian Provinces, and in front of audiences as large as 100,000.

After The Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, the much younger Fortune 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. He went on to release a gospel album I Believe, in June 2005, a Christmas CD Feels Like Christmas, in 2006, a live concert DVD in 2007 a country CD Windows in 2009, and Lessons in 2012.

In 2015, Fortune teamed up with the Gaither Music Group and recorded his Hits and Hymns CD and DVD which debuted at number 10 Billboard Country Album, number one Southern Gospel, and number six Billboard Contemporary Christian. The DVD debuted at number one on Billboard Music Video charts. In 2017 he recorded a compilation of his favorite songs called Jimmy Fortune Sings the Classics on the Gaither Music label.

In May 2019, they also released God and Country CD and DVD which one a Dove Award in 2020 for Country/Gospel/Roots Album of the Year. In 2020, Fortune collaborated with Bradley Walker, Ben Isaacs, and Mike Rogers, and formed a group later named Brothers of the Heart. They released three albums to date: Brotherly Love (2020), Listen To The Music (2023), and Will The Circle Be Unbroken (2023).

Fortune currently lives in Tennessee, writing, touring, and recording music. On July 8, 2023, Fortune was honored with the unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze statue at the Nelson County’s Historical Society’s Oakland Museum. Ticket sales to Jimmy Fortune and band in concert at the Troubadour live event become available online in September.

The diversity of the songs and styles makes for a wonderful evening of music, which culminates in a full concert by living country music legend Fortune and his band performing a full concert. Come and enjoy an exceptional evening celebrating country music singer/songwriters. There are still some general admission tickets available at $25. For tickets, please visit the BAC website or call 254-675-3724. The BAC is located at 215 S. College Hill Drive in Clifton.