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."
The Old Country Church
The Oak Ridge Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my friends at the old country church
There with mother we went, and our Sundays were spent
With our friends at the old country church
As a small country boy, how my heart beat with joy
When I knelt in the old country church
And the Savior above, by His wonderful love
How I wish that today all the people would pray
As we prayed in the old country church
If they'd only confess, Jesus surely would bless
As he did in the old country church
Of't my thoughts make me weep, for so many now sleep
In their graves near the old country church
And sometime I may rest, with the friends I love best
In a grave near the old country church
Precious years of memories
Oh, what joy they bring to me (they bring to me)
How I long once more to be
With my friends at the old country church
The Oak Ridge Boys's "The Old Country Church" is a nostalgic song about a place that holds a special place in the heart of the singer. He reminisces about his childhood days spent in the old country church with his mother and friends. The song evokes feelings of happiness, contentment, and a longing to return to those days of innocence and simplicity. As the singer reflects on those days, he is reminded of his salvation experience, where he found peace and redemption through Jesus Christ in the old country church.
The lyrics of the song reflect the importance of faith, community, and family in people's lives. The old country church is not just a physical place but a symbol of a way of life that is disappearing in modern times. The singer's desire for people today to pray and find salvation in Jesus reflects a deep concern for the future and the well-being of society. He believes that the old country church has the power to bring people together and create a sense of belonging that is missing in today's world.
Overall, The Oak Ridge Boys's "The Old Country Church" is a heartfelt tribute to a place and a way of life that is worth preserving. It reminds us of the importance of faith, family, and community in our lives and the need to reconnect with our roots.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a place near to me, where I'm longing to be
The singer desires to go to a place nearby where their old country church is located.
With my friends at the old country church
The singer wishes to be reunited with their friends at the old country church.
There with mother we went, and our Sundays were spent
The singer reminisces about how they had spent their Sundays at the old country church with their mother.
With our friends at the old country church
The singer remembers spending time with their friends at the old country church, too.
As a small country boy, how my heart beat with joy
The singer recalls how happy they were as a young child attending the old country church.
When I knelt in the old country church
The singer remembers the moment they knelt in the old country church.
And the Savior above, by His wonderful love
The singer acknowledges how the Savior above saved their soul through His love.
Saved my soul at the old country church
The singer credits the old country church as the place where their soul was saved.
How I wish that today all the people would pray
The singer expresses their wish that people would still pray like they did at the old country church.
As we prayed in the old country church
The singer wants people to pray the way they did in the old country church.
If they'd only confess, Jesus surely would bless
The singer believes that if people confess their sins, Jesus would surely bless them.
As he did in the old country church
The singer uses the old country church as an example of a place where Jesus blessed people who confessed their sins.
Of't my thoughts make me weep, for so many now sleep
The singer feels sad when they think about how many people who used to attend the old country church have died.
In their graves near the old country church
The singer is reminded of the graveyards near the old country church.
And sometime I may rest, with the friends I love best
The singer acknowledges that they too will eventually rest in a grave near the old country church with the people they loved.
In a grave near the old country church
The singer is accepting of the idea that their final resting place may be near the old country church.
Precious years of memories
The singer cherishes the memories of the old country church.
Oh, what joy they bring to me (they bring to me)
The singer feels immense joy whenever they think of their memories at the old country church.
How I long once more to be
The singer wishes to go back and experience the old country church again.
With my friends at the old country church
The singer desires to be reunited with their friends at the old country church once more.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. D. SUMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dancing Eagle
I grew up in an old country church.it was an old house turned into a church.Every Sunday everyone would bring a covered dish and after service everyone would eat and fellowship.The 2nd Saturday of every month we would have a fellowship meeting.o how i miss those days and singing the old hymns.
Sue Bailey
My father was a country minister. I certainly remember the 'old' days of old country churches. On 28th April 2020 it's 50 years since my parents were killed in a car accident. We'll be going to 'the old country church' where my dad last preached, which is opposite to where they're buried to celebrate their life and ministry.
cin muan
Reminds me of my grandparents..thank you for the song. God bless you.
ralph122
really beautiful, the music is perfectly balanced between sadness and joy
Agatha Wiebe
This is a beautiful song!
janyce Janota
Beautiful song, just beautiful.......
Kevin Costley
Love it....
IanspenYoUnG
This made me break down to tears.
Polecat5150
So Relaxing
tp
Gotta go if you truly miss it... MGB