Bronze Statues of Two Famous Nelsonians Unveiled at Oakland Museum

Life-size bronze statues of Earl Hamner Jr., creator of “The Waltons,” and Jimmy Fortune, formerly of the Statler Brothers, will be unveiled at the Nelson County Historical Society’s Oakland Museum. Kami Cotler, who played Elizabeth Walton, and Michael McGreevey, an actor and writer on the show and a co-producer of a documentary on Hamner, will speak at the event. Fortune and members of his family will be present for the unveiling. Fortune will speak about his relationship with Hamner. Musician Eddie Witt, a former coach and teacher in the Nelson County Public Schools, will speak about Fortune’s place in the history of music in the United States. Premiere of exhibits on Hamner and “Rhythms Past and Present,” honoring Fortune and other prominent local musicians with photos, biographies and videos of interviews and performances. The musical heritage exhibit is partially funded by a grant from Bama Works, a charitable foundation of the Dave Matthews Band.