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."
Thank God I'm Reborn
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down a long lonely road
My heart was so heavy, in sin I sank low
Then I heard about Jesus
What a wonderful hour
I'm so glad that I found out
That He would bring me out
Though His saving power
Thank God I am free, free, free
From this world of sin
Washed in the blood of Jesus
And then born again
Hallelujah I'm saved, saved, saved
By His wonderful grace
I'm so glad that I found out
He would bring me out and show me the way
Like a bird out of prison
That's taken it's flight
Like the blind man that God
Gave back his sight
Like the poor wretched beggar that
Found fortune and fame
I'm so glad that I found out
He could bring me out through His Holy Name
The lyrics of The Oak Ridge Boys' song "Thank God I'm Reborn" convey a profound sense of gratitude and joy for finding redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ. The singer of the song reflects on their past, describing a long journey down a lonely road marked by a heavy heart burdened by sin. However, everything changes when they learn about Jesus and His saving power. This discovery brings a sense of liberation and freedom, symbolized by being washed in the blood of Jesus and being born again.
The lyrics draw upon biblical imagery and stories to emphasize the transformative power of faith. The song references the bird out of prison, symbolizing the release from bondage and the ability to spread one's wings and fly towards a new life. It also alludes to the blind man who regained his sight, representing the enlightenment and clarity that comes with a spiritual awakening. The mention of the poor wretched beggar finding fortune and fame exemplifies the profound impact that encountering Jesus can have on someone's life, offering not only salvation but also a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Overall, "Thank God I'm Reborn" expresses a deep gratitude for the life-altering power of Jesus Christ and the transformative journey from darkness to light, sin to salvation, and despair to hope.
Line by Line Meaning
For a long time I've traveled
I have been on a journey for a significant period of time
Down a long lonely road
I have been feeling isolated and desolate along the way
My heart was so heavy, in sin I sank low
I was burdened with guilt and I was deeply immersed in sinful behavior
Then I heard about Jesus
I encountered the teachings and message of Jesus
What a wonderful hour
It was an incredibly joyous and transformative moment
I'm so glad that I found out
I am filled with immense gratitude for discovering
That He would bring me out
That Jesus would rescue and deliver me
Though His saving power
By means of His redemptive and liberating strength
Thank God I am free, free, free
I am expressing my gratitude for being completely liberated
From this world of sin
I have been freed from the influence and bondage of sinful existence
Washed in the blood of Jesus
I have been cleansed and purified through Jesus' sacrifice
And then born again
I have experienced a spiritual rebirth and transformation
Hallelujah I'm saved, saved, saved
I am expressing my joy and gratitude for being saved
By His wonderful grace
It is through His amazing grace that I have been saved
I'm so glad that I found out
I am filled with immense gratitude for discovering
He would bring me out and show me the way
Jesus would rescue and guide me on the right path
Like a bird out of prison
Just as a bird is liberated from captivity
That's taken its flight
Which soars freely and unrestricted
Like the blind man that God
Similar to the blind man whom God
Gave back his sight
Restored his ability to see
Like the poor wretched beggar that
Like the destitute and miserable beggar who
Found fortune and fame
Acquired wealth and recognition
I'm so glad that I found out
I am filled with immense gratitude for discovering
He could bring me out through His Holy Name
Jesus could rescue and deliver me through the power of His sacred name
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.