HJ585: Celebrating the life of Harold Reid.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 585

Offered January 14, 2021
Celebrating the life of Harold Reid.
Patron-- Avoli

WHEREAS, Harold Reid, a proud native of Staunton and cofounder of the Grammy-winning country and gospel vocal quartet The Statler Brothers died on April 24, 2020; and

WHEREAS, in 1948, Harold Reid and three friends, Lew DeWitt, Phil Balsley, and Joe McDorman, formed the Four Star Quartet, later known as the Kingsmen, and originally focused on gospel music; and

WHEREAS, Harold Reid’s younger brother Don subsequently replaced Joe McDorman as the lead singer, and in 1963, after widespread success by another group named the Kingsmen, the quartet was renamed as The Statler Brothers; and

WHEREAS, in 1964, Harold Reid and The Statler Brothers joined Johnny Cash as an opening act and backup vocalists; the partnership lasted for more than eight years and brought the group wide popularity, with one of their best-known hits, “Flowers on the Wall,” released during that period; and

WHEREAS, Harold Reid authored or coauthored many of The Statler Brothers’ songs, and as the bassist, his deep, stirring vocals anchored many of the group’s classic tracks; he further delighted audiences as the frontman for the comedic music group Lestor “Roadhog” Moran & the Cadillac Cowboys; and

WHEREAS, after The Statler Brothers’ farewell tour in 2002, Harold Reid retired from his music career and settled in his hometown of Staunton, where he established the Happy Birthday America Fourth of July concert, a beloved local tradition; and

WHEREAS, over the course of their career, Harold Reid and The Statler Brothers had multiple top 10 hits on country charts, won three Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards, and were selected as the Vocal Group of the Year nine times by the Country Music Association; and

WHEREAS, among many other awards and accolades, Harold Reid and The Statler Brothers were also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Harold Reid will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife, Brenda Lee; his children, Kim, Karmen, Kodi, Kasey, and Wil, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Harold Reid, an iconic country music singer and a highly admired member of the Staunton community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Harold Reid as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.