Oak Ridge Boys bid farewell
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Oak Ridge Boys bid farewell

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – The Oak Ridge Boys are officially celebrating their 50th Anniversary this October with their American Made: Farewell Tour.

The group consists of Duane Allen (who joined in 1966), Joe Bonsall (1973), William Lee Golden (1965), and Richard Sterban (1972).

Golden said, "We are doing a farewell tour because we owe it to our fans to say goodbye. They have always been there for us through the good times and the bad. I will always be thankful to every person who came out to a show, bought a t-shirt, played our music and overall, loved us enough to spend their hard-earned money whenever they could. This tour is for you."

"I want to thank God for 50 years of singing with three of my best friends and for the fans who have been there for us," said Sterban. "This is a celebration, and we hope to see you there."

"I was 25 years old in 1973 when I joined The Oak Ridge Boys," said Bonsall. "I am 75 years old in 2023 and I am still an Oak Ridge Boy. It has been and still is an amazing ride."

The Oak Ridge Boys released their number one hit single, "American Made" in February 1983.

The Oak Ridge Boys have received four Academy of Country Music, two American Music, five Billboard, four Country Music Association, five Grammy, and 12 Gospel Music Association Dove awards. They are members of the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. They have achieved 17 number one hits including "Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight," "Bobbie Sue," "Trying To Love Two Women," "(I'm Settin') Fancy Free," "American Made" and "Elvira."

"For all of my career I have always been a planner, sometimes planning two or three years in advance, what we will do, where we will go, and when we record," said Allen. "As we celebrate 50 years of being together, just as you see us, we will, also, begin our American Made: Farewell Tour. I don't know how long the tour will last, but we hope to return to as many parts of the country as we can. Thank you so much for these 50 years. For me, it's 57 1/2 years. I have given you the best part of my life and you have rewarded me with a wonderful career. Thank you, our dear fans. Thanks to God for His divine guidance. Thank you to our wonderful organization. Thank you to all the supporting companies who represent us. And thank you to our families."

Upcoming tour dates are:
Sept. 20-21 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Sept. 22 - Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater / Jefferson City, Mo.
Sept. 23 - Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center / Huntington, Tenn.
Sept. 28 - Norsk Hostfest Great Hall of the Vikings / Minot, N.D.
Sept. 29 - Chester Fritz Auditorium / Grand Forks, N.D.
Sept. 30 - Swiftel Center / Brookings, S.D.
Oct.. 01 - Deadwood Mountain Grand / Deadwood, S.D.
Oct. 4-5 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Oct. 06 - Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City / Kansas City, Mo.
Oct. 07 - Richard Drake's Party Barn / Powderly, Texas
Oct. 11-12 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Oct. 13-14 - Arlington Music Hall / Arlington, Texas
Oct. 18-19 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Oct.. 21 - Rome City Auditorium / Rome, Ga.
Oct. 26-27 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Oct. 28 - Neewollah Celebration - Jim Halsey Auditorium / Independence, Kan.
Nov. 1-2 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Nov. 3 - Brown County Music Center / Nashville, Ind.
Nov. 4 - Crossroads Arena / Corinth, Miss.
Nov. 8-9 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Nov. 11 - Grand Ole Opry / Nashville, Tenn.
Nov. 15-16 - The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts / Branson, Mo.
Nov. 21 - Vern Riffe Center for the Arts / Portsmouth, Ohio
Nov. 24 - Honeywell Center / Wabash, Ind.
Nov. 25 - Paramount Theatre / Anderson, Ind.
Nov. 30 - Weldon Mills Theatre / Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
Dec. 1 - Renfro Valley Barn Dance / Mount Vernon, Ky.
Dec. 2 - Anderson Music Hall / Hiawassee, Ga.
Dec. 7 - Firekeepers Casino / Battle Creek, Mich.
Dec. 8-9 - Island Resort & Casino / Harris, Mich.
Dec. 12 - Ryman Auditorium / Nashville, Tenn.
Dec. 14 - Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center / Paducah, Ky.
Dec. 15 - Effingham Performance Center / Effingham, Ill.
Dec. 16 - Crystal Grand Music Theatre / Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.
Dec. 17 - Egyptian Theatre / Dekalb, Ill.


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CD reviews for The Oak Ridge Boys

CD review - Down Home Christmas While eight Christmas releases might seem a bit much for any other band, for a group like The Oak Ridge Boys, with a pedigree that goes back over 50 years, it feels just right. Joined for the third time by producer Dave Cobb, the outfit lends their signature harmonies to a collection of songs that is pure Oak Ridge, continuing to merge the worlds of southern gospel, country and a few other sounds. Highlights include the doo-wop flavors of "Reindeer on the Roof," shiny bright rocking ...
CD review - 17th Avenue Revival With a group history that spans over 50 years, gospel and country music mainstays The Oak Ridge Boys are at a place when they could conceivably rest on their laurels, release a few greatest hits records and coast the rest of the way through their careers, and fans would still be pleased. Yet, this quartet is not content to rest. Calling once again upon producer Dave Cobb, who helped to press new energy into the group's career in 2009 with "The Boys Are Back," The Oak Ridge Boys have ...
CD review - 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 ...


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