"Jimmy Fortune: Sings The Classics" is Available Now

By Timothy Yap Apr 22, 2017 05:02 AM EDT

The wait is over, as Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune releases his latest album.Jimmy Fortune: Sings The Classics is the latest release from the Statler Brothers member, who tackled some of his favorite songs of all-time on the star-studded project, which includes collaborations with Ricky Skaggs, The Isaacs and Voices of Lee. In addition to iTunes,Amazon and other national retailers, Jimmy Fortune: Sings the Classics is also available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations nationwide.

"Words can't express how excited I am to release this new album," said Fortune. "These are songs that have shaped my life. From the first song I heard on country radio, to songs I sang to my children as I tucked them into bed, these songs mean the world to me."

In celebration of the release, fans will get to experience Fortune's inspirational special "Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns," which will give fans the opportunity to get an inside glimpse of the trials and tribulations that the Statler Brothers member has encountered, and how he overcame everything to later become a member of both the Gospel and Country Music Hall of Fame. During the hour-long special, fans will get the chance to order Jimmy Fortune: Sings the Classics through an on-air special.

Upcoming Air Dates:

April 21
The Miracle Channel - 11:00pm ET
Vision - 9:00pm ET

April 22
The Walk TV - check local listings
TLN - check local listings
Hope TV - 12:00am ET
CTN - 4:00pm ET
CTS - 5:00pm ET
RFD-TV - 6:00pm ET
TBN - 7:00pm ET

April 23
Hope TV - 12:00am ET
Heartland - 12:00pm ET and 8:00pm ET

April 26
TCT - check local listings

The "Elizabeth" singer/songwriter will soon return to the road, where he will greet fans and play songs from the new album. So far, Jimmy Fortune: Sings the Classics has been met with high praise, securing features on RFD, Digital Journal, the syndicated Whiskey & Cigarettes, plus Fortune will appear on WSM's Nashville Today with Devon O'Day, where Fortune will serve as the guest host on April 25 to celebrate the release. Fans will also get a very special behind-the-scenes scoop on why Fortune chose each song for the new collection, with exclusive video content premiering over the next week on Roughstock, AXS.com, Nashville Country Club, Lovin' Lyrics, The Country Note, Nashville.com, Mr. Nashville, Exclusive Magazine, MusicStartsHere and more! Keep an eye out, as there is plenty more in-store for Fortune in the upcoming months.

Jimmy Fortune On Tour:
Apr. 22 - Hegins, Pa. - Tri Valley JR-SR High School
May 02 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
May 05 - Nashville, Tenn. - Grand Ole Opry
May 07 - Elkins, W.Va. - American Mountain Theatre
May 19-20 - Scottsburg, Ind. - Ross Country Jamboree
May 25 - Nashville, Tenn. - Grand Ole Opry
May 26-27 - Gatlinburg, Tenn. - Gaither Family Fest
June 08 - Nashville, Tenn. - CMA Music Fest
June 10 - Steelville, Mo. - The Meramec Music Theatre
June 25 - Jefferson, Iowa - Wild Rose Casino & Resort
Jun. 30 - Weirsdale, Fla. - Orange Blossom Opry
July 01 - Hiawassee, Ga. - Anderson Music Hall
July 04 - Radford, Va. - Radford 4th of July Celebration
July 16 through July 23 - Alaska - Jimmy Fortune Alaskan Cruise
July 29 - Benton, Ky. - Kentucky Opry
Aug. 15 - Lewisburg, W.Va. - WV State Fair
Sept. 02 - Lancaster, Pa. - American Music Theatre
Sept. 04 - Paden City, W.Va. - Paden City Labor Day Celebration
Sept. 08 - Cave City, Ky.
Sept. 9 - McLeansboro, Ill. - McLeansboro Fall Festival
Sept. 14 - Bremen, Ga. - Mill Town Music Hall
Sep. 18 - Lawrenceville, Ga. - Gwinnett County Fair
Sept. 21 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
Sept. 23 - Prairie du Sac, Wisc. - River Arts Center
Oct. 06 - South Boston, Va. - Halifax County Fair
Oct. 07 - Manteo, N.C. - Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 15 - Pigeon Forge, Tenn. - Country Tonite Theatre
Oct. 17 and 18 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
Nov. 11 and 12 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
Dec. 02 - York, Pa. - York Expo Center
Dec. 03 - Lebanon, Pa. - Lebanon Expo Center
Dec. 07 - Weyers Cave, Va. - Weyers Cave Community Center
Dec. 08 - Amherst, Va. - Clifford Baptist Church
Dec. 09 - Liberty, N.C. - The Liberty Showcase Theater
More dates pending

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 a 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 on 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 a country CD, Windows in 2009, Lessons in 2012, and Hits & Hymns CD and DVD through Gaither Music Group in 2015. The DVD debuted at #1 on the Billboard sales chart. Jimmy is currently living in Nashville, writing, and touring.