Four ‘brothers’ wrote a song that had America in tears. When they sang it on TV, they broke hearts everywhere…

Some songs are meant to last forever. They are so powerful that even years after being released they still trigger strong feelings, whether that’s love, nostalgia, sadness, or happiness.

When we think of such everlasting pieces of music, one of the songs that comes to our mind is More Than a Name on a Wall. Sang by the Statler Brothers consisting of Don and Harold Reid, Phil Balsley and Lew DeWitt, this tune brings millions to tears. It honors the soldiers who fought during the Vietnam War, which took more than 50,000 lives, through the story of a grieving mother who visits the Vietnam Wall and prays her son is more than just a name written on that wall.

The song peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

The Statler Brothers started their singing career as back up vocals for Johnny Cash, whose attention they caught while playing at the Roanoke Fair in Salem, Virginia, but went on to make a name for themselves. Many of their songs are huge hits up until this day.

The story behind the collaboration between Cash and the Statler Brothers, who combine the sounds of country with gospel melodies, says they were hired by him “on a handshake.” At the time he met them, he was promoting his 16th album.

Speaking of Cash, Reid said, “John was a walkin’, talkin’, singin’ musical encyclopedia.”