[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 82 (Friday, May 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E413-E414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE MEMORY OF HAROLD REID, A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE STATLER 
                                BROTHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BEN CLINE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2020

  Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the passing of Harold 
Reid on April 24, 2020, and to honor his legacy of commitment to 
family, community, and music.
  Harold Reid was born August 21, 1939, the son of Sidney Boxley Reid 
and Mary France Craun. He married Brenda Lee Armstrong and together 
they raised daughters Kim, Karmen, Kodi, Kasey, and son Wil. He is 
survived by Brenda, their children and spouses, and ten grandchildren.
  Harold Reid loved his family, entertaining, and the small-town they 
call ``home''--Staunton, Virginia. Together with high school friends, 
Harold formed the Four Star Quartet, debuting as gospel singers, who 
were welcomed in churches across the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta 
County area. They performed for high school dances and other local 
events before winning the 1955 Kiwanis Amateur Talent Show in Staunton, 
earning a live performance on a Richmond television station.
  By 1960, the group's membership changed, and Don Reid joined his 
brother in the group which became known as The Kingsmen. They played 
for the Miss Virginia Pageant and earned a contract to appear regularly 
on a regional television station. In 1962, they opted to change their 
performing name again, becoming The Statler Brothers.
  Histories of the renowned Statler Brothers credit Harold Reid with 
the vision and charisma that encouraged the quartet to continue their 
musical performances. His deep bass voice undergirded wonderful 
harmonies when the quartet was on stage. His sense of humor kept 
audiences engaged and his fellow bandmates upbeat through long hours of 
road travel.
  It was Harold Reid who approached another country music legend, 
Johnny Cash, following Cash's performance in Roanoke, Virginia. Harold 
reportedly told Johnny that he should hear the quartet sing. A few days 
later, the Statler Brothers opened for Johnny Cash for shows in 
Berryville, Virginia. The Statler Brothers became a part of Cash's 
roadshow on March 1, 1964. Fans of country music will recall where that 
road led.
  The Statler Brothers earned their first hit the following year with 
``Flowers on the Wall.'' The group released more than 50 albums. They 
won three Grammys, nine Country Music Association Awards, six 
International Country Music Awards, and numerous Music City News 
Awards. The Statler Brothers Show ran on The Nashville Network from 
1991 to 1998. ``Flowers on the Wall'' garnered renewed interest when 
the lyrics were included in the movie ``Pulp Fiction'' (1994). In 1996, 
a Harris Poll ranking America's favorite singers listed the group as 
second to Frank Sinatra and ahead of many other singers across various 
genres. The Statler Brothers have been inducted into the Gospel Music 
Hall of Fame (2007) and the Country Music Hall of Fame (2008). The 
group performed for over 40 years.
  Harold Reid and the Statler Brothers never forgot their small-town 
roots. Harold was a co-

[[Page E414]]

founder of Happy Birthday USA. Annually for 25 years, the Statler 
Brothers would invite country music friends to join them onstage in 
Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park to celebrate the Fourth of July with family 
and neighbors. The events drew thousands of people to celebrate 
America's Independence and picnic while listening to country music 
artists and the on-stage banter of Harold Reid.
  The Statler Brothers, whose members at the time included Harold and 
Don Reid, Phil Balsley, and Jimmy Fortune, retired from performing in 
2002. Members wanted to return home to spend time with family. In 
retirement, it was not unusual to see Harold along with Brenda and 
their family at various events around town.
  Young men from small-town America who enjoyed singing, the Statler 
Brothers became world famous, bringing laughter and tears to their fans 
over the long course of their musical career. Retired, the Statler 
Brothers continued to encourage young performers and to celebrate 
America and small-town community life. Wilson Fairchild, the country 
duo of Wil Reid and Langston Reid, have stepped onto the musical stage 
and picked up the mantle of celebrating the Fourth of July in 
Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park by hosting Happy Birthday America.
  Harold Reid created a lasting impression on all those who met him, on 
the fans that he entertained over four decades, on country music as a 
songwriter, and on the community where he remained rooted. It is with 
appreciation for a life well-lived that these words about Harold Reid's 
achievements are submitted for the Record. May his family and friends 
find solace in knowing the esteem with which we uphold the memory of 
Harold Reid.

                          ____________________