Oak Ridge Boys invited to join Opry
Saturday, July 9, 2011 – The Oak Ridge Boys were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry on Friday.
The country music group - William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen = will be formally inducted into the Opry family on Sat., Aug. 6.
After the Oaks performed their hit Y'All Come Back Saloon, 62-year Opry member Jimmy Dickens surprised the group by walking on stage dressed as a 4'11" William Lee Golden, including long beard and sunglasses. "All my life I've wanted to be a little bitty Oak Ridge Boy," Dickens announced to laughter in the Opry House. "On Aug. 6th, I will become the newest member of the Oak Ridge Boys, and at that time, you will become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry."
Joe Bonsall responded for the group, "Jimmy, that's the funniest thing we've ever seen, first of all. This is a brotherhood and sisterhood unlike any other. We have been friends of the Opry for a long time. We will get on our bus later and let this process, and I guess we have until Aug. 6th to let it sink in."
The group concluded its set with the classic Elvira, then returned to the stage to join Larry Gatlin on All the Gold In California.
More news for The Oak Ridge Boys
CD reviews for The Oak Ridge Boys
Front Row Seats
It's hard not to love the Oak Ridge Boys. They are American music icons with a history dating back to the mid part of the last century. The current foursome - Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, Richard Sturban and William Lee Golden - have made music together, with the exception of Golden's temporary departure a few years back, for decades.
Who can forget their big hits from the '70s and '80s, including "Elvira," Bobby Sue," "The Y'all Com Back »»» |
Christmas Cookies
The Oak Ridge Boys are one of the longest-running bands in country music, and most amazingly, the quartet has the exact same membership today that it had back in 1973. They hit their peak popularity in 1981 with the Grammy-winning crossover hit "Elvira," but they still tour and record regularly today.
With their gospel roots, the Oaks are a natural fit to do a Christmas album, and they shine on spiritual Christmas classics like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and "Away in a Manger. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Size doesn't matter to Winslow-King –
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