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."
Farther Along
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong.
When we see Jesus coming in glory
When he comes down from his home in the sky
Then we shall meet him in that bright mansion
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by.,,
The Oak Ridge Boys's song Farther Along teaches its listeners a valuable lesson of trust and faith in God. The song talks about how often we are put through trials and tribulations which may make us wonder why we are facing such difficulties. We may see people around us, who may not be living right, but are still not facing any kind of hardships. However, these difficulties are what make us strong and help us learn and grow. The song tells us to remain positive and hopeful because we will meet Jesus again in his glory and then everything will become clear to us. We will meet Him in the bright mansion and all our questions, doubts, and fears will be answered then. The chorus 'Farther along we'll know all about it, farther along we'll understand why' reinforces this message, encouraging us to keep our trust in God and wait for our time to understand the bigger picture.
Line by Line Meaning
Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder
In the midst of our struggles and difficulties, we often get tempted and tested that leaves us unsure and pondering.
Why it should be thus all the day long
We are questioning why we have to endure these challenges every day.
While there are others living about us
As we observe the people surrounding us
Never molested though in the wrong
We see some individuals who are never punished despite their immoral actions.
When we see Jesus coming in glory
At the moment when we witness Jesus Christ's return in His magnificence,
When he comes down from his home in the sky
as he descends from his heavenly abode to meet us on earth.
Then we shall meet him in that bright mansion
We will reunite with Him in the splendid abode that he has prepared for us.
We'll understand it all by and by.
At that time, we will comprehend everything that has been puzzling us.
Farther along we'll know all about it
As we move forward into the future, we will acquire greater knowledge of our trials and tribulations.
Farther along we'll understand why
With time, we will comprehend the reason behind our sufferings.
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
So, dear friend, don't lose hope and be happy, spread positivity, and live your life to the fullest.
We'll understand it all by and by.
You and I will understand it all in due time. Keep the faith!
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Heaven Bound
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
KJV Bible
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8-9
KJV Bible
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 10:9-13
KJV Bible
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 3:16
KJV Bible
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 14:6
KJV Bible
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Abalone Kid
THE ANGELS GIVE GLORY TO GOD IN HEAVEN! HERE WE HEAR AND SEE EARTH "ANGELS" DOING IT TOO! RIGHT HERE! JUST LIKE YOU!
To Know Jesus Christ! That is our greatest blessing in life. John 3:16-17. Thank you, beloved. We are blessed by your faithful and loving praise ministry. Subscribed.
WE LOVE YOU, LORD! YOU GAVE ALL FOR US. YOUR SUFFERING WAS IMMENSE! WE GIVE YOU ALL THE GLORY! YOU ARE OUR LIFE SAVIOR. YOU KEEP YOUR WORD IN THE BIBLE.
GOD'S BLESSINGS TO ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES
Gospel! The good news about Jesus Christ and salvation from judgment on our sins. Jesus dined with His disciples; Mark 14:22-25, the night before He went to the cross. Jesus and His disciples were eating a Passover meal together at the Last Supper. After partaking of bread and wine (His body and His blood) , the Bible mentions the hymn Jesus sang with His disciples. โAnd when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olivesโ Mark 14:26. What were they singing on such an occasion? PRAISE! Psalms 113-118.
THE GOOD NEWS
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.."John 14.6
Blood coming from his body, NAKED, hanging on that cross like Roman torture weapon! What a Lord God and Savior! He had to. HE is God the Son. Only His sinless blood could pay our sins price.1 John 2:1-2. The Savior was born to die for our sins so we could live through Him. He lives to make intercession for us by His blood in Heaven! See also 1 John 1:5-10 & Romans 5:8 below.
>>> God knew your ministry before the world was made! Ephesians 1:1-14. Prayer goes out for you and those here. A CROWN in Heaven awaits all who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves a soul. ( see"JESUS SAVES") 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; Philippians 4:1. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek".
This praise resounds throughout the earth: "Jesus Christ is Lord and God. Only He saves". He testified: ''I and my Father are One" John 10:30
2 Samuel chapter 22:verse 50 "Therefore I will praise you, O Lord, out of the countries, and I will praise your name."
JESUS SAVES
God the Son (Jesus Christ) has given us the gospel to share with the world. Mark 16:15: "And He said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
How can we hear it? Scripture tells us. Romans 10:17 "Then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (We receive the "word" in many ways. The "Word" is Jesus Christ!); John 1:1-5. God the Holy Spirit teaches through the Word of God in the Bible.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Isaiah 7: 14: "Therefore the LORD shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and call His name Immanuel." Hebrew: ืขึดืึธึผื ืึผืึตื, "God with us" in human flesh but without sin. The Savior of the world was born to die for our sins! He did so 33 years later. His terrible ordeal; body mutilated; blood poured out, finally died (John 19:30; Luke 23:46 ) and was placed in a tomb and rose from the dead the 3rd day ! "HE IS RISEN" Matthew 28: 6.
Isaiah 53:" 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." - IT IS FOUNDED UPON GOD'S LOVE FOR MAN AND WOMAN HE CREATED
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3: 23
" For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
"1 Corinthians 15: 3 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
THE PAYMENT BY HIS BLOOD FOR ALL SINS EVER!
Romans 5:8 " But God demonstrates his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, now justified by his blood, we will be saved from wrath through him."
โFor he (God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.โ 2 Corinthians 5:21.
" In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;." Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19.
Matthew 26: 28 "For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (the life is in the blood. He had to pay with His life)
"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22
BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH ALONE IN JESUS CHRIST ARE WE SAVED
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast."
Jesus died and paid the penalty for our sins to rescue us from eternal death. He died on our behalf. We believe in Him, trusting His death and shedding His blood as payment for ALL our sins and His burial and resurrection from the dead the third day! John 20:24-31; 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 above.
WHOSOEVER BELIEVES SHALL TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
Romans 10:
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.13 For โwhoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
TO DIE IS TO REJECT SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST AND BE SEPARATE FROM GOD FOREVERMORE
Salvation and forgiveness of sins is the blessing of anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We receive the baptism of God the Holy Spirit immediately which seals us in Christ and that is permanent! Ephesians 1:13-14. Those who reject the free gift of salvation, see John 3:16 above, "perish", which means their sins are judged by God the Son and they suffer eternal separation from God and the family of God forever called the "second death". Revelation 21:8.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5: 1
Heaven Bound
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
KJV Bible
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8-9
KJV Bible
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 10:9-13
KJV Bible
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 3:16
KJV Bible
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 14:6
KJV Bible
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Worship & Prayer
GOD,I pray for the person reading this comment right now, and I speak favor over their day. I pray that YOU will answer prayers, open new doors, heal infirmities, supply every need, defeat every enemy, and clear a pathway for unrestricted blessings to flow in their lives. In Jesus Matchless Name,Amen!
@JOY GIFT GOD'S DAUGHTER
Amen๐๐๐
Dana Shattuck
Great prayer!! That we know and exercise the authority in the name of Jesus that we are created for!!
Regain Your Core
Amen. Thank you ๐
Pat R
Amen! Weโll understand it all by & by! Thank you for sharing this beautiful song. I needed this today! Lord bless you all. For me, I know it wonโt be long before I go Home to be with my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! ๐๐๐
JD Do
@Pat R Oh, Dear one- THANK YOU! That title was not familiar to me so I... you guessed it.... I did a search and just picked I think the third or fourth one that popped up (Bird Youmans version redone @ 2 years ago). Anyway, the lyrics are Beautiful, and so TRUE. I think I listened 3-4 times just sitting with my eyes closed and... Listening. Later my sister came over and so I played it for her. Pat, I was BLESSED by your response and by the mention of that song. I am glad our paths crossed. I have been Blessed and I Pray you continue to Bless others as the Lord allows. God Bless you and Keep you Safe in HIS Loving Embrace! Have an AWESOME rest of the week and an even Better week ahead. ๐๐๐ป
Pat R
@JD Do
Thank you for your beautiful comment. My Dad always loved this song. He passed away in 1984, my dear Mama in 1986. I feel in my soul that my time here wonโt be much longer & I have many reasons for believing that. Thereโs a song that I love to listen to, itโs called,โIโm a Winner Either Way!โ I know Iโm in the loving hands of my Lord Jesus. Lord bless you always. Love & Prayers, Sister Pat ๐๐๐๐
JD Do
In HIS Time, @Pat R, in HIS Time. Until then- God Bless you and Keep you Safe in HIS Loving Embrace! I can still hear my Gran singing this and telling me "One day the puzzle pieces will all fit together and OH, What a Beautiful picture that will be." (Love ya Gran.)๐โค
Cade Evans
Love to hear the oak ridge boys sing this classic hymn song
KK Keller
Beautiful!! Oak Ridge Boys!! I love that song!! COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS!! ๐คโ๏ธ๐๐น๐ค๐ถโค