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."
Still Holding On
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never could grow old
I was gonna climb mountains
And sail the seas, go searching for gold
But those years come creeping in and
My journey gets so long
I don’t spring back like I used to
But I’m still holding on
Holding on to what I believe in
Be it right or wrong
Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes
Yes I'm still holding on
Thought I’d found true love
I was sure it never could end
I was blinded by the light in her eye
I couldn’t see 'round the bend
Then one night she said goodbye
I turned around she was gone
Shook my head and shed my tears
But I’m still holding on
Holding on to believin' that love is a
Good thing even though she’s gone
Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes
Yes I'm still holding on
Oh at night when the cold wind blows
And my collar's pulled up high
I’m all alone in a God
Forsaken place wondering why
A man only does what he must do
And the journey must go on
Brush myself off and laugh at the wind
'Cause I’m still holding on
Holding on to what I believe
In even though it’s wrong
Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes
Yes I'm still holding on
Holding on to what I believe in be it right
Be it wrong
Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes
Yes I'm still holding on
The lyrics to The Oak Ridge Boys' song "Still Holding On" explore the theme of resilience and perseverance despite the challenges and setbacks that life brings. The song begins with the singer reminiscing about his youthful dreams of adventure and conquering the world, but as time passes, he realizes that age takes its toll and he can't bounce back as easily as before. However, despite these physical limitations, he refuses to give up and continues to hold on to his beliefs and dreams.
The second verse delves into the topic of love and heartbreak. The singer thought he had found true love, but it abruptly ended, leaving him shocked and devastated. Nevertheless, he doesn't let this setback define him and chooses to hold on, believing that love is a good thing despite his personal experience. The line "Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes" suggests that the singer is determined to keep chasing his aspirations, regardless of the obstacles that come his way.
The final verse reflects a sense of loneliness and contemplation. The singer finds himself in a desolate place, questioning the reasons behind life's hardships. Yet, he acknowledges that a man must carry on with his journey, even in difficult circumstances. Through laughter and resilience, he continues to hold on to what he believes, even if it may be considered wrong or misguided.
Overall, "Still Holding On" is an anthem of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. It encourages listeners to stay true to their beliefs, dreams, and crazy schemes, no matter what life throws at them.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young I was sure
In my youth, I had absolute certainty
I never could grow old
That I would never age or lose vitality
I was gonna climb mountains
I had aspirations of conquering great challenges
And sail the seas, go searching for gold
Exploring the world, seeking treasure and adventure
But those years come creeping in and
However, as time passes subtly
My journey gets so long
My path becomes increasingly arduous
I don’t spring back like I used to
I no longer rebound with the same energy and resilience
But I’m still holding on
Yet, I persist and endure
Holding on to what I believe in
Clasping on to my convictions
Be it right or wrong
Whether they are morally correct or erroneous
Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes
Retaining my aspirations and ambitious plans
Yes I'm still holding on
Indeed, I am retaining my determination
Thought I’d found true love
I thought I had discovered genuine affection
I was sure it never could end
I firmly believed it would never conclude
I was blinded by the light in her eye
Her radiance obscured my vision
I couldn’t see 'round the bend
I couldn't anticipate what lay ahead
Then one night she said goodbye
Later, one evening she bid farewell
I turned around she was gone
I faced the other way, and she had vanished
Shook my head and shed my tears
I expressed disappointment and cried
But I’m still holding on
Nevertheless, I persist and endure
Oh at night when the cold wind blows
During the nighttime when the chilling breeze gusts
And my collar's pulled up high
With my collar raised to shield myself
I’m all alone in a God
I find myself solitary in a desolate
Forsaken place wondering why
Abandoned location contemplating the reason
A man only does what he must do
A person only fulfills their necessary duties
And the journey must go on
And the voyage must continue
Brush myself off and laugh at the wind
I dust myself off and ridicule the wind
'Cause I’m still holding on
Because I persist and endure
Holding on to what I believe
Adhering to my convictions
In even though it’s wrong
Even if those beliefs are flawed
Holding on to my dreams and my crazy schemes
Retaining my aspirations and ambitious plans
Yes I'm still holding on
Indeed, I am retaining my determination
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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Steve Westra
Great lead by WLG and harmonies as well. One of the hidden gems.
John Sparrow
A great song by the Oaks.
John Sparrow
A good one by the Oaks. WLG on lead.
Marc Taylor
I Love It