The mighty Oak Ridge Boys and the missing spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Washington Times ^ | March 16, 2015 | Nancy Dunham

[jazusamo]

We have to join the chorus, led by Billboard magazine, calling for the Oak Ridge Boys’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Go to their concert this week and you’ll understand why. Sure, their 40-plus years of No. 1 hits — including “Elvira,” “American Made” and “Bobbie Sue” — consistently full concerts and tireless work for the American Legion and other charities more than qualify them for this prestigious induction. Yet it’s the reverence with which Merle Haggard, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Lee Brice and other major performers hold them — which is more than returned by the Oaks — that pushes them to the front of a long line of deserving artists.

“A 2011 induction to the Grand Ole Opry only added to their list of honors, and they continue to play to sold-out audiences, particularly with their legendary Christmas tours,” Billboard critic Chuck Dauphin wrote last fall. “In addition, the Oaks have never forgotten that they were once the new kids on the block, as they continue to encourage and support newer acts over the years — making a great bridge from the past to the present.”

You know what’s great? In this age of rampant self-congratulation for dubious achievements (Kardashians, anyone?), the Oaks seem more than happy with their lot.

“In my 40s and 50s, I’d say, ‘If we can give this two more great years, that will be terrific.’ Then, when we’d do that, we’d give it a few more,” said tenor Joe Bonsall. “This is a young man’s business, but William Lee Golden just turned 76, and he stomps across the stage with an energy that is amazing. He is nine years older than me. I’ll be 67 in May, but I’m planning on performing when I’m in my 70s,...

[Steven Scharf]

Although I have heard of the Oak Rdige Boys, I was not aware of their history so I looked them up. (On Wiki of course.)

Interestingly, they seem to have done the opposite of many groups of the past that now perform in name only. For those not aware, the core of the group dates back to 1943 and over the period of 1943 to about 1973 they seemed to have gone through many personel. The current line up has now been the group for the past 40 years, except for a seven year hiatus by William Lee Golden.

Current
William Lee Golden – Baritone (1965–87; 1995–)
Duane Allen – Lead (1966–)
Richard Sterban – Bass (1972–)
Joe Bonsall – Tenor (1973–)