Theirs is one of the most dis… Read Full Bio ↴THE TRADITION CONTINUES ...
Theirs is one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits and a #1 pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring 15 years of hits and 50 years of tradition to bear on a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. And, each remains as enthusiastic about the process as they have ever been.
"When I go on stage, I get the same feeling I had the first time I sang with The Oak Ridge Boys," says lead singer Duane Allen. "This is the only job I've ever wanted to have."
"Like everyone else in the group," adds bass singer extraordinaire Richard Sterban, "I was a fan of the Oaks before I became a member. I'm still a fan of the group today. Being in The Oak Ridge Boys is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream."
The two, along with tenor Joe Bonsall and baritone William Lee Golden, comprise one of country's truly legendary acts. Their string of hits includes the pop chart-topper "Elvira," as well as "Bobbie Sue," "Dream On," "Thank God For Kids," "American Made," "I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes," "Fancy Free," "Gonna Take A Lot Of River" and many others. They've scored ten gold, three platinum and one double platinum album, one double platinum single, and had more than a dozen national #1 singles.
The Oaks represent a tradition that extends back to 1943, before Hank Williams had a career. The original group, based in Knoxville, TN, began performing country and gospel music in nearby Oak Ridge where the atomic bomb was being developed. They called themselves the Oak Ridge Quartet, and they began regular Grand Ole Opry appearances in the fall of '45. In the mid-'50s, they were featured in Time magazine as one of the top drawing gospel groups in the nation.
By the late '60s, with more than 30 members having come and gone, they had a lineup that included Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Noel Fox and Willie Wynn. Among the Oaks' many acquaintances in the gospel field were Bonsall, a streetwise Philadelphia kid who embraced gospel music wholeheartedly, and Sterban, who was singing in quartets and holding down a job as a men's clothing salesman. Both admired the distinctive, highly-popular Oaks.
"They were the most innovative quartet in gospel music," says Bonsall. "They performed gospel with a rock approach, had a full band, wore bell-bottom pants and grew their hair long ... things unheard of at the time."
The four became friends, and when the Oaks needed a bass and tenor, in '72 and '73 respectively, Sterban and Bonsall got the calls. The group remained a highly popular mainstay on the gospel circuit, and it was there they refined the strengths that would soon make them such an across-the-board attraction.
"We did a lot of package shows," said Bonsall, "and there was an incredible amount of competition. You had to blow people away to sell records and get invited back."
Their gospel sound had a distinct pop edge to it, and while it made for excitement and popularity, it also ruffled purist feathers and left promoters unsure about the Oaks' direction. Then, in 1975, the Oaks were booked to open a number of dates for Roy Clark, whose manager was floored by their abilities.
"He came backstage and told us we were three-and-a-half minutes ' meaning one hit record ' away from being a major act," says Bonsall. "He said we had one of the most dynamic stage shows he'd ever seen, but that we had to start singing country songs."
They took his advice, and the result was a breakthrough.
"Those who came to country music with or after the New Traditionalists of the mid-'80s cannot possibly imagine the impact the Oaks had in 1977 when they lit up the sky from horizon to horizon with "Y'All Come Back Saloon," said Billboard's Ed Morris, who added "... the vocal intensity the group brought to it instantly enriched and enlivened the perilously staid country format. These guys were exciting."
Within a year, Paul Simon would tap them to sing backup for his hit "Slip Slidin' Away," and they would go on to record with George Jones, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Roy Rogers, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. They would appear before three presidents, produce one of the first country music videos ("Easy," in 1977, which wasn't released in the U.S. but hit #3 in Australia), take part in the first headline tour of the USSR, and become one of the most enduringly-successful touring groups anywhere.
They did it with a consistently upbeat musical approach and terrific business savvy.
"We always look for songs that have lasting value and that are uplifting," says Allen. "You don't hear us singing 'cheating' or 'drinking' songs, but 'loving' songs, because we think that will last. We also don't put music in categories, except for 'good' or 'bad.' When we get through with it, it's probably going to sound like an Oak Ridge Boys song no matter what it is."
They proved their business acumen in any number of ways, including such steps as declining the chance to sit on the couch during their many appearances on the Tonight Show.
"We said, 'If you're going to give us four minutes on the couch with Johnny, we'd rather have four minutes to give you another song that lets people know what got us here,'" says Allen. "We didn't get here talking; we got here singing," They also proved themselves to be capable and tireless advocates of charitable and civic causes, serving as spokesmen and/or board members of fundraisers for the Boy Scouts of America, the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, Feed The Children, and many more.
The group's first personnel change in many years occurred in 1987 when Steve Sanders, who had been playing guitar in The Oaks Band, replaced William Lee as the baritone singer. Late in '95, Steve resigned from the Oaks and exactly one minute after midnight on New Year's Eve, Duane, Joe and Richard surprised the packed house at Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville, IN, by welcoming William Lee on stage and back in group. The hitmakers were finally together again!
The Oaks' high-energy stage show remains the heart and soul of what they do, and they refine it several times a year, striving to keep it fresh well into the future.
"We're not willing to rest on our laurels," Golden says. "That gets boring. As a group, we do things constantly to challenge ourselves, to try to do something different or better than the last time we did it."
"I feel like I can do what I do on stage just as good now as I could 20 years ago," says Bonsall. "in fact, if anything, I'm in better shape now than I was 20 years ago. I plan to be rockin' my tail off out there as long as I'm healthy and don't look stupid doing it. The people who come out, who bring their families to see us, deserve everything I've got."
"We've experienced a lot of longevity," adds Sterban, "and I think the reason is the love we have for what we do - the desire, the longing to actually get up there and do it. We love to sing together ... to harmonize together. It's what our lives are all about."
Don't Break the Code
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He asked if she'd like to go for a ride
They drove up to the river in the cool Oak trees
She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze
Suddenly they were in each others arms
The passion they felt was a four alarm
He loved her once, he loved her twice
But he should have listened to a friend's advice
Don't mess around with another man's wife
Step out of line you could lose your life
Stay on the straight and narrow road
Don't break the code
They drove back home when the sun went down
All the workers were headed out of town
Rushing to suppers and family nests
Relief from the fever time to rest
The lover's were slowly reluctant to part
Through the afternoon they'd given their hearts
She twisted her golden wedding ring
As they listened to the crickets sing
The gun was sprayed with a diamond bright shine
He polished it when he came home from the mine
He said I can protect and keep what's mine
A believer in Jesus and the ties that bind
He found them in bed he went out of his mind
Shot them both though the heart three times
The jury found only insanity
So his head stayed in prison but his body went free
The Oak Ridge Boys' song "Don't Break the Code" tells the story of a man who ignorantly chooses to have an affair with another man's wife. The song's opening lines describe an idyllic scene of a green valley and bright sun, setting the stage for what seems to be a romantic and innocent outing. However, as the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the man and woman are committing a serious breach of trust and fidelity by engaging in an extramarital affair. Despite the passion they feel for each other, the song warns of the dangers of breaking the code - of stepping outside the boundaries of morality and risking both their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The valley was green and the sun was bright
The surroundings were beautiful with lush green valley and bright sunshine
He asked if she'd like to go for a ride
He invited her for a drive
They drove up to the river in the cool Oak trees
They drove to a river surrounded by Oak trees
She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze
She expressed her affection by holding his hand
Suddenly they were in each others arms
They were romantically involved with each other
The passion they felt was a four alarm
Their physical attraction towards each other was very intense
He loved her once, he loved her twice
He had feelings for her that grew stronger over time
But he should have listened to a friend's advice
He ignored his friend's advice that would have saved him from trouble
Don't mess around with another man's wife
One should not cheat with a married person
Step out of line you could lose your life
Going against social norms and values can lead to serious consequences
Stay on the straight and narrow road
One should do what is right and appropriate
Don't break the code
One should not violate the moral code of society
They drove back home when the sun went down
They returned home in the evening
All the workers were headed out of town
Other people were also leaving the town for their homes
Rushing to suppers and family nests
People were in a hurry to have dinner and spend time with their family
Relief from the fever time to rest
People were getting relief from their busy day and got time to relax
The lover's were slowly reluctant to part
The couple did not want to leave each other's company
Through the afternoon they'd given their hearts
They had spent a lot of time together during the day and had grown close
She twisted her golden wedding ring
She was guilty for cheating on her husband and was feeling uneasy about it
As they listened to the crickets sing
They were enjoying each other's company
The gun was sprayed with a diamond bright shine
The gun was polished and shining brightly
He polished it when he came home from the mine
He had a gun and took care of it regularly
He said I can protect and keep what's mine
He felt that having a gun made him powerful and able to protect his family
A believer in Jesus and the ties that bind
He had faith in God and believed in the sanctity of marriage
He found them in bed he went out of his mind
He lost his sanity after finding his wife cheating on him in bed with someone else
Shot them both though the heart three times
He killed both his wife and her partner by shooting them in their hearts multiple times
The jury found only insanity
The court declared him insane
So his head stayed in prison but his body went free
Though his body was out of prison, his mind was still considered insane and hence he was kept in an institution
Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JDouglas
on King Jesus
There are rumors that this was created in a recording studio. I think it's possible, but I can remember buying the album in 1974 just to listen to the live version of King Jesus. I still have the album after 50 years. Ahh, you're in store for a great singin' tonight. . . is a precious memory I have of that album.