Influencers: Entertainers Who Paved The Way For The Artists We Love Today!
EnterTeenment News launches our new "Influencers" Spotlight with Country and Gospel Legends, The Oak Ridge Boys. We hope you enjoy this new segment that puts the spotlight on the entertainers that have shaped the artists we know and love today.
The Oak Ridge Boys: 40 Plus Years and Still Going Strong!
The Oak Ridge Boys are country music legends who have inspired several of today's biggest music artists. Their honors include 5 Grammy Awards and several CMA and ACM Awards. They are also members of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame. If the songs on their latest album, "17th Avenue Revival," sound like they know what making good music is all about, it's because well, they do.
Their story truly begins when group members Duane Allen (lead), Joe Bonsall (tenor), William Lee Golden (baritone), and Richard Sterban (bass) found each other in 1973. The Oak Ridge Boys (with various configurations of previous members) had originally started as a gospel quartet. Though they would visit their gospel roots many times during their illustrious 5 decade-spanning career, mainstream success came in the 80's via country music radio with hits like "Elvira," "Bobbie Sue" and "American Made."
"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."
Fans of country and gospel music can't seem to get enough of the hit-makers which is why they still tour year-round and have roughly 75 shows a year. With new music to promote, they show no signs of slowing down now.
The nine-track collection, "17th Avenue Revival" was released in March and is sure to be loved by long-time and new fans alike. Circling back to those afore-mentioned gospel roots, this new album is exactly the kind of hope, reassurance and comfort the world needs right now. There's no mistaking the familiar Oak Ridge Boys sound as smooth, tight harmonies drift over soothing melodies on tracks like "There Will be Light" and "Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow." The rockin' "God's Got It" will immediately take you to Church, be it in your car or your kitchen... wherever you happen to be playing it.
See the video for "Brand New Star" Below:
Press releases from the group describe the album as "Somewhat retro, yet new and fresh at the same time, there was no vocal stacking and very few overdubs. For two of the songs, the Boys gathered around one microphone and let the harmonies shine." That raw and "not over-produced" sound is similar to seeing the guys live and in person, which is a treat young and old should experience if ever you have the chance.
Paving the way for current hit-makers such as Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys have been a country music staple for the last 40 years. Check out their past hits here:
And get their new music here:
Be sure to check them out in a city near you! Their next stops include, Charleston, WV, Manistee, MI, Westbury, NY, Waterloo, NY, Rutland, VT, Beverly, MA, Dothan, AL, and Monticello, MS.
Find out where you can see the "The Oak Ridge Boys" Live!
www.OakRidgeBoys.com