American Made: Farewell Tour celebrates the group’s 50th anniversary
Grammy Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys are officially celebrating their 50th anniversary this October. With this celebration, The Oak Ridge Boys are announcing their American Made: Farewell Tour! The group, Duane Allen (1966), Joe Bonsall (1973), William Lee Golden (1965), and Richard Sterban (1972) are excited to celebrate both milestones with fans with the announcement of this tour.
“We are doing a farewell tour because we owe it to our fans to say goodbye,” shares Golden. “They have always been there for us through the good times and the bad. I will always be thankful to every person who came out to a show, bought a t-shirt, played our music, and overall, loved us enough to spend their hard-earned money whenever they could. This tour is for you!”
“I want to thank God for 50 years of singing with three of my best friends and for the fans who have been there for us,” states Sterban. “This is a celebration and we hope to see you there.”
Designated as America’s national anthem singers by the MENC (National Association for Music Educators), The Oak Ridge Boys released their No. 1 hit single, “American Made” in February 1983. Their love for God and country remains true to this day, and with this being the 40th anniversary of the single, it seemed fitting to incorporate “American Made” into their farewell.
The Oak Ridge Boys have received four Academy of Country Music, two American Music, five Billboard, four Country Music Association, five Grammy, and twelve Gospel Music Association Dove awards, just to name a few. They are members of the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. They have achieved 17 No. 1 hits including “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Trying To Love Two Women,” “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free,” “American Made,” and the unforgettable “Elvira.” With an astounding 37 Top 20 country hits, with 12 gold, three platinum, and one double-platinum album, The Oak Ridge Boys have made their mark in every facet of the gospel, pop, and country music industry.
“For all of my career I have always been a planner, sometimes planning two or three years in advance, what we will do, where we will go, and when we record,” expresses Allen. “As we celebrate 50 years of being together, just as you see us, we will, also, begin our American Made: Farewell Tour. I don’t know how long the tour will last, but we hope to return to as many parts of the country as we can. Thank you so much for these 50 years. For me, it’s 57 and a half years. I have given you the best part of my life and you have rewarded me with a wonderful career. Thank you, our dear fans. Thanks to God for His divine guidance. Thank you to our wonderful organization. Thank you to all the supporting companies who represent us. And thank you to our families.”
In the early 70s, The Oak Ridge Boys continued to expand their cutting-edge style. After the addition of Richard Sterban in 1972 and Joe Bonsall in 1973, the Oaks were forever changed with a new direction, a new sound, and a new path. Their career stands alone with its legacy, its style, and its continued contributions to gospel and country music.
“I was 25 years old in 1973 when I joined The Oak Ridge Boys,” Bonsall adds. “I am 75 years old in 2023 and I am STILL an Oak Ridge Boy. It has been and still IS an amazing ride.”
The Oak Ridge Boys American Made: Farewell Tour Dates:
Sept 20 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Sept 21 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Sept 22 – Jefferson City, MO @ Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater
Sept 23 – Huntington, TN @ Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center
Sept 28 – Minot, ND @ Norsk Hostfest Great Hall of the Vikings
Sept 29 – Grand Forks, ND @ Chester Fritz Auditorium
Sept 30 – Brookings, SD @ Swiftel Center
Oct 1 – Deadwood, SD @ Deadwood Mountain Grand
Oct 4 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 5 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 6 – Kansas City, MO @ Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City
Oct 7 – Powderly, TX @ Richard Drake’s Party Barn
Oct 11 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 12 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 13 – Arlington, TX @ Arlington Music Hall
Oct 14 – Arlington, TX @ Arlington Music Hall
Oct 18 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 19 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 21 – Rome, GA. @ Rome City Auditorium
Oct 26 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 27 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Oct 28 – Independence, KS @ Neewollah Celebration – Jim Halsey Auditorium
Nov 1 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov 2 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov 3 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
Nov 4 – Corinth, MI @ Crossroads Arena
Nov 8 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov 9 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov 11 – Nashville, TN @ Grand Ole Opry
Nov 15 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov 16 – Branson, MO @ The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts
Nov 21 – Portsmouth, OH @ Vern Riffe Center for the Arts
Nov 24 – Wabash, IN @ Honeywell Center
Nov 25 – Anderson, IN @ Paramount Theatre
Nov 30 – Roanoke Rapids, NC @ Weldon Mills Theatre
Dec 1 – Mount Vernon, KY @ Renfro Valley Barn Dance
Dec 2 – Hiawassee, GA @ Anderson Music Hall
Dec 7 – Battle Creek, MI @ Firekeepers Casino
Dec 8 – Harris, MI @ Island Resort & Casino
Dec 9 – Harris, MI @ Island Resort & Casino
Dec 12 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
Dec 14 – Paducah, KY @ Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center
Dec 15 – Effingham, IL @ Effingham Performance Center
Dec 16 – Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Dec 17 – Dekalb, IL @ Egyptian Theatre
