Phil Balsley is remembered as the singer and guitarist for The Statler Brothers, one of the greatest musical groups of the twentieth century. From 1955 to 2002, he was known as “The Quiet One” in the band and worked and toured with them.
His enormous net worth reflects his enormous success in the mainstream gospel genre.
Phil Balsley: Bio and Age
Philip E Balsley, a well-known country musician, was born on August 8, 1939, and is now 79 years old. The Virginia native is a founding member and legendary singer-musician of The Statler Brothers, an American country music band.
His contributions to the band and music have not gone unnoticed, as he and his bandmates were recently honored with an exhibit honor at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in 2019.
Although his net worth is unknown, Phil’s multi-million dollar home in Swoope, Virginia, exemplifies his lavish lifestyle.
Phil Balsley: Wife and Children
The most difficult aspect of life is having to continue living despite losing loved ones.
Phil has witnessed many deaths in his 79 years, but the deaths of his son and wife were undoubtedly the most difficult. Phil had a happy family life before the two tragedies struck him unexpectedly.
In June 2012, his son Greg Balsley died tragically at the age of 49. Greg was on vacation in the Outer Banks when he drowned in the Atlantic Ocean by accident. Following Greg’s death, his social media pages were flooded with condolences and tributes from his friends and family.
Greg’s death, like any parent who outlives their children, was one of Phil and his entire family’s worst nightmares.
In addition to his son’s death, the veteran musician had to deal with the death of his wife, Wilma Lee Balsley. She died in December 2014, nearly two and a half years after their son died, at Augusta Health in Virginia.
Though Wilma’s death was natural, it was one of the most difficult times in Phil’s life because he had to witness the death of the person with whom he had spent the majority of his life.
The Statler Brothers were formed in 1995 and consisted of five members at the time: Phil Balsley, Don Reid, Harold Reid, Lew DeWitt, and Jimmy Fortune.
The group began as gospel musicians for the church.
Previously, the group was known as The Kingsmen. After another band with the same name became popular, they renamed themselves The Statler Brothers.
Johnny Cash was the one who first discovered the band. Initially, The Statler Brothers provided backing vocals for the opening acts of The Johnny Cash Show, which helped them gain notoriety. Later, the band wrote a song to thank Johnny Cash for introducing them to the industry.
Furthermore, after becoming famous, the band created their own show, The Statler Brothers Show, in 1991. Flowers on the Wall, the Statler Brothers’ first hit, peaked in popularity in 1966. Later, in 1971, their socially conscious song “Bed of Roses” achieved peak popularity. The Statler Brothers had no intention of looking back after their two hit singles.
Later Billboard chart hits included Elizabeth, My One Love, Too Much on My Heart, and Do You Know You Are My Sunshine. With all of their hit songs, the band went on numerous successful tours. Following their final tour in 2002, The Statler Brothers announced their retirement as a band on October 26 of that year.
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