Award-winning Country, Bluegrass and Gospel Favorites Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers and Ben Isaacs Join Talents for a Special Recording
| Brotherly Love Brings Together Beloved Voices and Classic Country and Gospel Songs
Television Special Hosted by Rory Feek to Showcase New Recording NASHVILLE, Tenn.–May 28, 2020–Gaither Music Group is thrilled to announce a new recording combining four of the most talented and renowned country, bluegrass and gospel artists–award-winning singers who just happen to be good friends with gospel music legend Bill Gaither. Brotherly Love, an audio recording featuring Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers and Ben Isaacs, will release globally on May 29, followed by a DVD release and TV special later this year.
Each member brings their own wealth of experience to Brotherly Love, creating an intriguing combination of styles and influences. The result is a diverse collection that spotlights some of the best-loved gems on America’s musical landscape. Walker takes lead on the mournful Hank Williams Sr. classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Fortune’s pristine tenor shines on the Vince Gill hit “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Rogers delivers a spirited take on the O Brother, Where Art Thou hit “Man of Constant Sorrow”; and Isaacs’ warm voice revives the Don Williams’ hit “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”
An acclaimed producer who has shepherded many of the top names in the industry, Isaacs produced Brotherly Love. “It was, ‘Here’s our favorite songs,’ and it was more about whatever song fit the personality,” recalled Isaacs. “For me, it was a given that Jimmy sing ‘Go Rest High’ because there’s no one who is going to sing that with more heart than Jimmy Fortune. It was a given that Bradley would sing ‘The Lighthouse’ and that Mike would sing ‘Man of Constant Sorrow.’ He does so good with those energy things.”
Fortune rose to fame as a member of the Statler Brothers and penned some of their biggest hits (“Elizabeth,” “Too Much on My Heart”) before forging a successful solo career when the quartet retired. Walker is a DOVE Award-winning artist with a strong following in country, gospel and bluegrass. Isaacs, a DOVE Award-winning producer, has performed with his mother and sisters for years as the GRAMMY-nominated group The Isaacs. Formerly with the legendary Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and currently on the road with Craig Morgan, Rogers is one of the most highly respected musicians in bluegrass music.
“When Ben called me and asked what would I think about doing a project like this—and he mentioned all four of us together—who wouldn’t want to do that?” Walker stated with a smile. “I’ve known all these guys through their music careers and been a fan of what they’ve done for many years, so immediately I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
“Mike and I had sang on Jimmy’s records, and we’ve sang on Bradley’s records; but we were playing downtown [Nashville] and [Gaither Music Group’s] Barry Jennings came and watched us play. He said, ‘This is too good for people not to hear.’ So he asked if we would be willing to do it with Jimmy and Bradley and I said, ‘Absolutely.’ We got together, and when we sang for the first time it was magical. Together the blend and the love we have for each other was so strong that I felt like it had to be shared.”
The four friends shared their close-knit blends with country music singer/songwriter/storyteller Rory Feek, who hosted the LIVE video recording in his concert barn in Tennessee. The upcoming DVD and TV special, Brotherly Love, captures the intimate evening of song and storytelling, filmed in-the-round, that will feature an introduction by Gaither and behind-the-scenes interviews with Feek and the group members, who discuss the music they chose for the performance and share how these songs have touched their lives.
Those songs include the title track, “Brotherly Love,” a country hit for the late Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley; the Statler Brothers’ classic “The Class of ’57”; and Roy Orbison’s “Crying” as well as such gospel standards as “The Lighthouse,” “Daddy Sang Bass” and “Where No One Stands Alone.”
“That night there was so much energy in the room and the crowd was involved. It just felt so good,” said Rogers. “The energy was just so incredible, and to sing on stage in-the-round like we did–it was just amazing. It was one of the coolest, if not the coolest nights, that I’ve ever been a part of ever in my whole time of playing music.”
“If ever we needed brotherly love we sure need it in the world today towards one another,” Fortune said. “We need to look at each other with the love of real brotherhood. We’re all in this together. No matter what our differences are, we have more in common than we think we do, and that is love for one another. That’s what this whole project is all about, and that’s why we wanted to call it Brotherly Love.”
The Brotherly Love audio recording will be available May 29 on Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and other online digital platforms. Preview the album here: https://gaithermusic.lnk.to/BrotherlyLove.
The first digital video is available now on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCMzW1WjmqE.
The title cut can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpQK6vzunsA
The physical CD and DVD will be available later this year followed by the TV special set to air on networks including PBS, TBN, RFD-TV, GaitherTV, FamilyNet, CTN, GMC, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT and TLN. In Canada, Brotherly Love will air on Vision TV, CTS, The Miracle Channel and Hope TV
Song Listing (Audio)
Song Listing (Video)
|
Will your ‘group’ be in concert performing?
Where, when?
The group is called Fortune/Walker/Rogers/Isaacs. There are three dates in April and they’re listed on the tour schedule as that name.
Jimmy Fortune ..I want to say you do great show .when met you in michigan it was great show .you sound great and love your singing beautiful gospel songs ..you seem to put your heart and soul in your music.You have alot of great fans that thinks you are number one ..I think you are awelocome Godly Man..thank you .prayers for you and your family.see you again …shirleymockerman62@gmail.com
Thank you! We will be back in Michigan on 8-3-22.
WILL THAT BE BROTHERLY LOVE ALL TOGETHER
The name of the group is Fortune/Walker/Rogers/Isaacs and this special and CD are titled Brotherly Love. If they do another together is will be have a different title. And yes, this special was released in 2020 with all four of them.
Nina—that is one of the best performances I have ever seen.. remarkable. Almost as good as Jimmy’s recording of IF on the Valentine’s CD a few years ago…
I see that Mike Rogers has joined Ricky Skaggs replacing Paul Brewster so he may be pretty busy. But if they ever get together-I’m in!…
Nina my parents love Jimmy he is amazingly talented and has a voice that just won’t quit. So I just wanted to let ya know. They watch the rfd channel and they are wanting cds or videos where is the best place for me to purchase them for them ?? I have never seen my parents enjoy anything more they love to hear him sing. They are in their 80’s and with as much talent as they have in their time I can’t tell you how much joy they show listening to him … thank you Jimmy !!!
You can order them right here from this website.
I am looking for music sound tracks.I sing southern gospel music.I like all your music and would like to purchase some of your music sound tracks with back grounds I would greatly appreciate it THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.
The only CD we had tracks for is the I Believe CD. You can download the entire album from Amazon.
I read several months ago that Jimmy would be performing in Athens, Alabama in the fall of 2021.
Is that still on the schedule?
Yes, it’s listed on the schedule for 10-1-21
Listening to Jimmy Fortune is a real treat!! I listen to his Gaither gospel hour faithfully..LOVE that energy…
Jimmy Fortune you are the best I love everything about you your song is so beautiful you sing so beautiful you bless my heart you give me many many blessings when I hear you sing they touch my heart and I feel really good every song you sing it has kiss me so so much love and happiness I forget about all the bad things and I see all the good things and you’re one of the good things you are the best singer I’ve ever heard it says though that I’m right there with whatever you’re singing about especially your for banks of Jordan I lost my fiance September 26th night 2020 and I kept praying to God to let me know that he’s all right and when you I heard that song it was as though every word was my fiance’s words and it left me with a piece that I hold forever today that I seen I just want you to know that I love you and I praise God for your singing and for you songs that touches my heart you are the best and I love you I love you and your band I love all of you God bless you stay safe and thank you thank you thank you
The first time I went into Jimmys page there was a page named “Jimmy Jams” but I can’t find it any more I so enjoyed it.
The Jimmy Jams videos were posted on the Jimmy Fortune official Facebook page. You can go back and watch them there.
I love your songs, so up lifting, and the meaning of the song 🎵. The song I Believe, this song 🎵 ❤ ♥ fits the day mom passed away 10-8-2020, i can’t relate. I listen to it every night and every morning, just for her.
When are you coming to Renfro Valley, Mt.Vernon ky I’d love to meet you so much. The song 🎵 Elizabeth, I named my daughter after, this song.
This collaboration has been, by FAR, my favorite of all time. Being a huge fan of The Statlers (Jimmy in particular), and The Isaacs, and Bradley Walker, and only now learning about Mike Rogers, this just absolutely blew me away. Since the first time I heard it about 5 months ago, I have listened to and watched it over and over and over again. I have the last 37 seconds of Elizabeth as my ringtone 😉. Will the 4 of you be touring in 2021 (provided the Covid thing slows down)? I can truly say that seeing this live is at the top of my bucket list.
Thank you so much!! We knew before making this project that touring would be difficult because each artist has their own touring schedules/jobs. There’s always the possibility of a few shows a year but all has to have the same weekend available.
HI Nina and Jimmy
Hope you two are doing very well healthwise. We are still being very cautious due to our age and heart, allergy and asthma conditions. We are Ok.
The Brotherly Love album is great!! I have viewed the “Daddy Sang Bass” several times and the harmony on that song is PHENOMENAL!!!! I love how the audience chuckles when Jimmy sings “Mama sang Tenor” – Wonderful rendition of that song – thanks for being in that production.
Was hoping to see Jimmy in Liberty, NC on Dec. 5, but we won’t be traveling at that time. Sure hope to see one of his concerts sometime in 2021 – Hope he will be at Dominion Park again.
Love BRotherly Love, when can I order it?
The presale link on the shop page is up. You can order now and will be shipped out by release date.
What is the expected date of release of Brotherly Love cd/dvd?
It was supposed to be released in May but the manufacturers were shut down due to COVID-19. We will make another announcement when we know for sure. In the meantime you can click on the link in the article and listen to some of it.
Wow, this might just be my favorite set for 2020. What an amazing collection of talent & some of my all time favorite songs. I can’t wait to hear Lighthouse, & JF sing “Go Rest High”.
I had been on life support for most of April & May, so I am just recovering & catching up on what’s new!!! God’s Blessings to all of you as your project goes forward!!!
Rob Valencourt