The Oak Ridge Boys

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About The Oak Ridge Boys

Official Site: http://oakridgeboys.com


One of the longest-running groups in country music, the Oak Ridge Boys started life as a gospel quartet before gradually modernizing their style and moving into secular country-pop. Yet even at the height of their popularity in the late '70s and early '80s -- when they were big enough to cross over to the pop charts -- their sound always remained deeply rooted in country gospel harmony. Their existence dates all the way back to World War II, circa 1942-1943, when a Knoxville, TN, group began performing gospel songs in nearby Oak Ridge, the home of an atomic bomb research facility. The group's members also performed in a larger aggregation called Wally Fowler & the Georgia Clodhoppers, which recorded for Capitol. However, lead singer Fowler decided to focus on gospel music in 1945. Dubbed the Oak Ridge Quartet, the group first appeared at the Grand Ole Opry that year and made their first recordings in 1947 with a lineup of Fowler, Lon "Deacon" Freeman, Curly Kinsey, and Johnny New.

Numerous personnel shifts ensued over the next few years, particularly in 1949, when the entire group split from Fowler; at that point, he hired a completely different group, the Bob Weber-led Calvary Quartet, to assume the Oak Ridge name. With a core of Fowler and Weber, plus a revolving-door cast of supporting vocalists, the group became one of the top draws on the Southern gospel circuit, continuing up to the end of 1956. At that point, Fowler disbanded the quartet and sold the name to group member Smitty Gatlin, who organized a new lineup in early 1957. In 1961, Gatlin changed their name to the Oak Ridge Boys, made them a full-time professional act, and started to modernize their sound on record with fuller arrangements and elements of country and folk. Future mainstay William Lee Golden joined as the group's baritone vocalist in 1964, and when Gatlin retired to become a full-time minister two years later, the group, acting on Golden's recommendation, hired ex-Southernairs singer Duane Allen as his replacement on lead vocals.

With bass singer Noel Fox and tenor singer Willie Wynn, the Oak Ridge Boys continued to broaden their appeal by adapting their sound to the times, adding a drummer to their backing band and incorporating bits of pop and even rock into their country gospel style. As a result, they grew into one of the most popular gospel acts of the late '60s, despite purist criticism over their secular influences and increasingly long-haired image. They even won their first Grammy in 1970 for "Talk About the Good Times." Fox and Wynn were replaced by Richard Sterban (ex-Keystone Quartet) and Philadelphia native Joe Bonsall in 1972 and 1973, respectively, and this lineup would remain intact for the next decade and a half. In 1973, they recorded a single with Johnny Cash and the Carter Family called "Praise the Lord and Pass the Soup," which brought them their first appearance on the country charts. In 1975, they opened a series of tour dates for Roy Clark, whose manager was highly impressed and encouraged them to try their hands at secular country.

The Oak Ridge Boys signed with Columbia later that year but found the initial transition a rough one: they split their time between country and gospel, and without a strong identity their sales dropped. The resulting financial problems nearly forced them to disband, and a discouraged Columbia gave up on them after the 1976 single "Family Reunion" barely charted, even though labelmate Paul Simon had tapped them to sing backup on his hit "Slip Slidin' Away." Fortunately, they got another chance with MCA and scored a breakout Top Five hit in 1977 with "Y'all Come Back Saloon," the title song from their label debut. The follow-up, "You're the One," reached number two, and their next album, 1978's Room Service, gave them their first number one hit in "I'll Be True to You" as well as two more Top Five hits in "Cryin' Again" and "Come on In."

Thus established as country hitmakers, the Oak Ridge Boys embarked on a run of chart success that would last through the '80s. Golden stopped cutting his hair and beard altogether, giving the group a hugely recognizable visual signature as well. They hit number one again in 1980 with "Trying to Love Two Women," but it was the following year that would make them a genuine phenomenon. Their recording of "Elvira," an obscure, doo wop-style novelty song from the '60s, became a major, Grammy-winning crossover smash. Not only did it hit number one on the country charts, but its infectious "oom-pop-a-mow-mow" bass vocal hook boosted it into the Top Five on the pop charts. Its accompanying album, Fancy Free, became their first to top the country charts, not to mention their biggest seller ever. The title cut of their chart-topping 1982 follow-up, Bobbie Sue, also went number one country and nearly made the pop Top Ten as well. American Made's title track also topped the charts in 1983, as did its follow-up, "Love Song." In early 1984 Deliver became their third number one country album, and they landed two more number one singles that year with "Everyday" and "I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes." 1985 brought three number ones: "Little Things," "Make My Life with You," and "Touch a Hand, Make a Friend."

The Oak Ridge Boys' sales began to slow a bit in the latter half of the '80s, but they still produced big hits with regularity. They hit number one in 1987 ("It Takes a Little Rain," "This Crazy Love"), 1988 ("Gonna Take a Lot of River"), and 1990 ("No Matter How High"), giving them a total of 16 career country chart-toppers (and 29 Top Ten hits). However, by that point, the group's longtime lineup had split -- Golden, whose mountain-man appearance was increasingly supported by his rugged lifestyle, was given the boot in 1987 in an attempt to remake the group's image. He was replaced by longtime backing-band guitarist Steve Sanders and sued his former bandmates, eventually settling out of court. In 1991, the Oak Ridge Boys parted ways with MCA and signed with RCA, but after just two albums, it was apparent that their commercial prime had passed, and the relationship ended. The group returned to traditional-style country gospel on occasion during the '90s and continued to tour.

Meanwhile, Sanders' marital problems worsened, causing him to leave the group in late 1995; Golden and the other members resolved their differences, and he returned at their New Year's Eve show that year; they still performed often, notably in Branson, MO. Sadly, Sanders shot and killed himself in 1998. Fox, who moved on to run the group's publishing arm and later became a high-ranking music executive, passed away in April 2003. The group, with its classic 1970s lineup of Sterban, Bonsall, Golden, and Allen, released a new studio album, The Boys Are Back, which featured re-imagined versions of songs by John Lee Hooker, Neil Young, and the White Stripes, in 2009. ~ Steve Huey & Steve Leggett, Rovi

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Music

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  • What'cha Gonna Do
    the-oak-ridge-boys
    Video
    What'cha Gonna Do
  • Everyday
    the-oak-ridge-boys
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    Everyday
  • Thank God For Kids
    the-oak-ridge-boys
    Video
    Thank God For Kids
  • Gonna Take A Lot Of River
    the-oak-ridge-boys
    Video
    Gonna Take A Lot Of River
  • Ozark Mountain Jubilee
    the-oak-ridge-boys
    Video
    Ozark Mountain Jubilee
  • Little Things
    the-oak-ridge-boys
    Video
    Little Things
  • 42759
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    • Elvira
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/5/4/7/6/105567454.mp3
    • Bobbie Sue
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/8/4/4/7/105374486.mp3
    • American Made
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/8/3/4/2/105624384.mp3
    • Y'all Come Back Saloon
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/5/9/5/4/105445954.mp3
    • Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/9/1/9/0/105309199.mp3
    • Dream On
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/7/8/9/0/105309879.mp3

Photos

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  • The Oak Ridge Boys sing at the funeral service held for George Jones at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on May 2, 2013.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys sing at the funeral service held for George Jones at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on May 2, 2013.
    Rick Diamond/Getty Images
  • The Oak Ridge Boys sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kick off CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 8, 2012.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kick off CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 8, 2012.
    Ed Rode
  • The Oak Ridge Boys put on a show during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2012.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys put on a show during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2012.
    Kim Sorensen
  • The Oak Ridge Boys put on a show during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2012.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys put on a show during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2012.
    Kim Sorensen
  • The Oak Ridge Boys perform at the Riverfront Stage during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2012.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys perform at the Riverfront Stage during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2012.
    Kim Sorensen
  • Emmylou Harris (left) and William Lee Golden joined John Mellencamp at the launch of his music-inspired art exhibit in Nashville on May 17, 2012.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Emmylou Harris (left) and William Lee Golden joined John Mellencamp at the launch of his music-inspired art exhibit in Nashville on May 17, 2012.
    Denny Adcock
  • The Oak Ridge Boys? William Lee Golden attends the reception for the Tennessee State Museum exhibit, Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812.  (L-R: Jane Wright, artist David Wright, Solomon Golden, William Lee Golden, Brenda Golden)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys? William Lee Golden attends the reception for the Tennessee State Museum exhibit, Becoming the Volunteer State: Tennessee in the War of 1812. (L-R: Jane Wright, artist David Wright, Solomon Golden, William Lee Golden, Brenda Golden)
    Denny Adcock Photography
  • The Oak Ridge Boys appear during the All for the Hall show in Nashville on April 10, 2012.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys appear during the All for the Hall show in Nashville on April 10, 2012.
    Donn Jones
  • Oak Ridge Boys end their <i>Insider</i> interview with a quick photo for CMT Twitter and Facebook.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Oak Ridge Boys end their Insider interview with a quick photo for CMT Twitter and Facebook.
    Brian Bayley
  • The Oak Ridge Boys travel down Broadway during the parade.
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Oak Ridge Boys travel down Broadway during the parade.
    Michelle Ferullo

News

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  • The Oak Ridge Boys
    10 Totally Spoilery 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Easter Eggs
    MTV Geek
    May 16, 2013
    Now that " Star Trek Into Darkness " is finally in theaters, we can talk spoilers, right you guys? Having seen the movie twice already, we picked up m...
    Read More
  • The Oak Ridge Boys
    Oak Ridge Boys Sing for Ailing George H.W. Bush
    music.yahoo.com
    RELATED CONTENTView Photo Oak Ridge Boys Sing for Ailing George H.W. Bush Longtime country music institution the Oak Ridge Boys serenaded an ailing Ge...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • May 24 Friday
    Durant, OK, US Choctaw Event Center
    Buy Ticket
  • May 25 Saturday
    Shreveport, LA, US Sam's Town Casino
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 8 Saturday
    Nashville, TN, US Ryman Auditorium
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 21 Friday
    South Bend, IN, US Morris Performing Arts Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 22 Saturday
    Rochester, MN, US Mayo Civic Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 23 Sunday
    Fort Wayne, IN, US Embassy Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 28 Friday
    Renfro Valley, KY, US Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 26 Friday
    Great Falls, MT, US Montana Expopark Four Seasons Arena (end Stage)
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 29 Monday
    Great Falls, MT, US Montana Expopark Four Seasons Arena (end Stage)
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 2 Friday
    Columbus, OH, US Celeste Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 14 Wednesday
    Sedalia, MO, US Missouri State Fairgrounds
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 17 Saturday
    Bremen, GA, US Mill Town Music Hall
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 28 Wednesday
    Pueblo, CO, US Southwest Motors Events Center at Colorado State Fair
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 28 Wednesday
    Denver, CO, US Adams County Fairground
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 7 Saturday
    Myrtle Beach, SC, US Alabama Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 8 Sunday
    Spartanburg, SC, US Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 21 Saturday
    Walker, MN, US Northern Lights Casino
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 13 Sunday
    Steelville, MO, US Meramec Music Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Nov 24 Sunday
    Merrillville, IN, US Star Plaza Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 2 Monday
    Salt Lake City, UT, US Abravanel Hall
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 13 Friday
    Northridge, CA, US Valley Performing Arts Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 14 Saturday
    Coachella, CA, US Spotlight 29 Casino
    Buy Ticket
  • Dec 17 Tuesday
    Topeka, KS, US Topeka Performing Arts Center
    Buy Ticket
  • Jan 25 Saturday
    Galveston, TX, US The Grand 1894 Opera House
    Buy Ticket
  • Jan 26 Sunday
    Galveston, TX, US The Grand 1894 Opera House
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • Oak Ridge Boys Gospel (2012)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Oak Ridge Boys Gospel (2012)
    Sonoma
  • Back Home Again: Gospel Favorites (2012)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Back Home Again: Gospel Favorites (2012)
    Spring Hill Music
  • Christmas Time's A-Coming (2012)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Christmas Time's A-Coming (2012)
    Spring House
  • On the Sunny Banks & Other Favorites (2011)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    On the Sunny Banks & Other Favorites (2011)
  • It’s Only Natural (2011)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    It’s Only Natural (2011)
  • The Boys Are Back (2009)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    The Boys Are Back (2009)
    Spring Hill Music
  • A Gospel Journey (2009)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    A Gospel Journey (2009)
    Gaither Music Group
  • Front Row Seats (2006)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Front Row Seats (2006)
    Spring Hill Music
  • Christmas Cookies (2005)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Christmas Cookies (2005)
    Word Distribution
  • Common Thread (2005)
    The Oak Ridge Boys
    Common Thread (2005)
    Word Distribution
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