Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, & Richard Sterban have been together for a half a century
Grammy Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the four members, Duane Allen (1966), Joe Bonsall (1973), William Lee Golden (1965), and Richard Sterban (1972) coming together to form the group as known today.
The Oak Ridge Boys have received four Academy of Country Music, two American Music, five Billboard, four Country Music Association, five Grammy, and twelve 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.
“I was 25 years old in 1973 when I joined The Oak Ridge Boys,” Bonsall shares. “I am 75 years old in 2023 and I am STILL an Oak Ridge Boy. It has been and still IS an amazing ride.”
“It has been an honor to sing with Duane, Joe, and William Lee,” adds Sterban. “We have been extremely blessed. I have had an extraordinary life, and I am thankful to the Lord above.”
“The history of The Oak Ridge Boys runs deep in America’s history,” states Golden. “I am honored to still be a part of it. We are a family and always will be.”
“To be anywhere with anyone for 50 years is an accomplishment, and we are celebrating!!” Allen comments. “Come out to one of our shows and sing along with us!”
The group originally started in 1943 when they were recruited to entertain the sequestered personnel and their families at the Oak Ridge nuclear research facility located nearby. In 1945, they made their debut performances on the prestigious Grand Ole Opry stage.
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.
The band continues their 2023 Front Porch Singin’ Tour on August 3rd in Tysons, VA with dates scheduled through October 28th in Independence, Kansas. The iconic group has a series of shows scheduled for September and October at the Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts in Branson, Missouri.
The Oak Ridge Boys 2023 Front Porch Singin’ Tour Dates:
Aug 3 – Tysons, VA @ Capital One Hall
Aug 4 – Marietta, OH @ Peoples Bank Theatre
Aug 5 – Hammondsport, NY @ Point of the Bluff Vineyards
Aug 18 – Centre Hall, PA @ Centre County Grange Fair
Aug 19 – Shippensburg, PA @ H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center
Aug 20 – Kentucky State Fair – Texas Roadhouse Main Stage
Aug 25 – Pigeon Forge, TN @ Country Tonite Theatre
Aug 27 – Steelville, MO @ Meramec Music Theatre
Aug 28 – Grand Island, NE @ Nebraska State Fair
Sept 1 – Davenport, IA @ Rhythm City Casino Resort Event Center
Sept 8 – Middletown, OH @ Sorg Opera House
Sept 9 – La Crosse, WI @ Viterbo University Fine Arts Center
Sept 12 – Cape Girardeau, MO @ Southeast Missouri District Fair
Sept 15 – Newberry, SC @ Newberry Opera House
Sept 16 – North Myrtle Beach, SC @ Alabama Theatre
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 28 – Minot, ND @ North Dakota State Fair Center
Sept 29 – Grand Forks, ND @ Chester Fritz Auditorium
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 – Alrington, 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
