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."
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
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Glory to the newborn King
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Glory to the newborn King
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the Everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of Earth
Born to give them second birth
Risen with healing in His wings
Light and life to all He brings
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace
Hark the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
The Oak Ridge Boys's song "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is a beautiful rendition of the classic Christmas carol. The song begins with the angels declaring their joy and exaltation at the birth of Christ, proclaiming "Glory to the newborn King". They also announce that peace on Earth and mercy mild have been brought through Christ, and that God and sinners have been reconciled. The joy of Christ's birth is a shared experience, as all nations are invited to join in the triumph of the skies and proclaim Christ as the Savior born in Bethlehem.
The second verse of the song reflects on the divine nature of Christ, describing Him as "Christ by highest heaven adored" and "the Everlasting Lord". The miracle of Christ's birth is celebrated, with the lyrics declaring that He was born of a virgin and that the Godhead itself was veiled in the flesh of the infant. Christ is welcomed as Emmanuel, the One who dwells with men and brings hope and redemption to all.
In the final verse of the song, the focus shifts to Christ's mission on Earth. He came to Earth as a human, "born that man no more may die", and was sent to raise the sons of Earth and give them a second birth. He brings light and life to all who seek Him, and is hailed as the Son of Righteousness and the Prince of Peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the herald angles sing
Listen to the joyful singing of the angels
Glory to the newborn King
Praise the Messiah, who has just been born
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
May there be peace and compassion on Earth
God and sinners reconciled
God has reconciled with sinners through the birth of Christ
Joyful all ye nations rise
All nations should rise in joy and celebration
Join the triumph of the skies
Join the heavenly celebration
With angelic host proclaim
Announce with the company of angels
Christ is born in Bethlehem
The Messiah is born in Bethlehem
Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ is adored by the highest heaven
Christ the Everlasting Lord
Christ is the eternal Lord
Late in time behold Him come
After a long wait, He has finally come
Offspring of the virgin's womb
He is born of a virgin
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
While wrapped in flesh, we can still see his divine nature
Hail the incarnate Deity
Praise the divine being who is now in human form
Pleased as man with men to dwell
He is content to live amongst human beings
Jesus our Emmanuel
Jesus is our Emmanuel, meaning 'God with us'
Mild He lays His glory by
He has humbly laid aside his divine glory
Born that man no more may die
His birth has brought eternal life to mankind
Born to raise the sons of Earth
He is born to raise humanity from the depths of sin and death
Born to give them second birth
He is born to provide a spiritual rebirth to mankind
Risen with healing in His wings
He has risen with the power to heal and save
Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to all who believe in Him
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Praise the Son who embodies righteousness
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace
Praise the Prince of Peace who is born of heaven
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen to the joyful singing of the angels
Glory to the newborn King
Praise the Messiah, who has just been born
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. 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.