SPOTLIGHT: GROUP HISTORY: THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS

A BREIF HISTORY OF THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

The Oak Ridge Boys are legends in both Country and Gospel music. The group was founded in 1943 by Wally Fowler as The Clodhoppers. The quartet eventually changed its name to the Oak Ridge Quartet due to their frequent travels to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This quartet was comprised of Wally Fowler, Lon “Deacon” Freeman, Curly Kinsey, and Johnny New. Over the next several years, greats such as bass singer Herman Harper, Gary McSpadden, Willie Wynn, Jim Hammill among others were members of the group. Eventually, in 1964, a young man named William Lee Golden joined as a replacement for outgoing baritone Jim Hammill. Golden has a one of the best and most distinctive baritone voices in both Gospel and Country music. He has been with the group ever since with the exception of a short hiatus from 1987-1995. Lead singer Duane Allen joined the quartet shortly after in 1966 and his smooth and warm voice has become a vital part of the great Oak Ridge Boys sound. The group had great success in these early years, but nothing could compare to what was ahead! In 1972, bass singer Noel Fox departed and was replaced by an incredible young bass named Richard Sterban, a former member of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps. Sterban’s deep and rich bass voice would become a mainstay in their sound and much beloved all over the country. At this time, the quartet consisted Willie Wynn (tenor), Duane Allen (lead), William Lee Golden (baritone), and Richard Sterban (bass). The Oak Ridge Boys, as they were now called, started leaning more toward Country music in style, but still sang tried and true Gospel songs. In 1973, Willie Wynn left the group and Joe Bonsall, former tenor for the Keystones Quartet, joined in his place. Bonsall’s tenor voice can still be heard with the group today. His energetic and powerful tones have been an important part of the Boys’ dynamic sound. In 1977, the Oaks officially transitioned into Country music and recorded one their most popular albums Y’all Come Back Saloon. Two of the songs on this record reached the top five on the country charts! Their next album Room Service gave them their first number one hit “I’ll Be True to You.” The early 1980s brought even more success to the group with their most popular and widely know song “Elvira” and their best selling album Fancy Free debuting in 1981. Over the next two decades, The Oak Ridge Boys had hit after hit including songs such as : “Bobbie Sue,” “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” “No Matter How High,” Gonna Take A Lot Of River,” “Lucky Moon,” “American Made,” and “Everyday.” In recent years, the group have tapped back into their roots and performed more Southern Gospel music. They have released several records that are full length Gospel such as From The Heart (2001), A Gospel Journey (2009) and more recently Back Home Again (2012) among others (the latter was mostly Gospel songs). The Mighty Oaks show no sign of slowing down! They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary in full time Country music and were inducted into the Grand Old Opry in 2011. These four men are full of integrity and the Spirit. They have sung together since 1973 which is incredible in and of itself. God has blessed this great group with amazing talent and the ability to deliver not only an entertaining show, but spread God’s Word to the people of this world. The group is releasing a new recording on the Gaither label on March 15, 2015 which is entirely comprised of hymns. This new record entitled Rock of Ages: Hymns and Gospel Favorites is sure to delight fans of this classic group.

For more information on this incredible group, visit http://oakridgeboys.com/