The Oak Ridge Boys

The Oak Ridge Boys – the iconic and unabashedly patriotic quartet known for fusing gospel, country and rock at a time when crossover tunes like their hit song “Elvira” were revolutionizing the American pop music scene in the ’70s and ’80s – have roots that run deeper than the 40-plus years this particular foursome has been together under one name. 

The group originally known as the Oak Ridge Quartet started performing near the end of World War II. Based in Knoxville, Tenn., where the atomic bomb that ended the war in the Pacific was being developed, the quartet had made enough of a name for itself to land regular bookings at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry by the fall of 1945. Over the years, more than 30 different singers performed under the Oak Ridge name, and Time magazine featured the group in the mid-1950s as one of the nation’s top-drawing gospel acts.

All that happened before the current set of Oaks got together. But legacy matters greatly to the Grammy-winning performers, who still tour almost continuously and last spring released a new live album, Boys Night Out.

William Lee Golden, of flowing beard and subterranean baritone, was first among the current group to join the Oaks. His arrival in 1965 was followed by that of Duane Allen in 1966. Richard Sterban joined in 1972 and Joe Bonsall in 1973. 

They credit shared values, faith and love of music to the continuing success of the group, which has had more than 30 Top 10 singles, 12 gold records, three platinum albums, one double platinum album and a double-platinum single. 

The Oak Ridge Boys were recently named celebrity spokesmen to help raise awareness about assistance The American Legion provides for veterans and their families.

Bonsall, also an author and the son of World War II veterans, recently spoke with The American Legion Magazine. 

Wholesome, patriotic values aren’t always a script for success in today’s music industry. Why do they work for The Oak Ridge Boys? 

I think a lot of it has to do with our upbringing. All four of us were taught from childhood to tell the truth, to work hard, to honor God and to respect those who have paid the price for our freedoms. I am not really sure what works for other artists. There are many roads to success. But what matters to me is how we do things. 

The current lineup of the band recently celebrated 40 years of performing together and 41 million records sold. How have you held this act together over the years? 

I am writing a new book right now on The Oak Ridge Boys that will be released in the spring of 2015, and in the writing I have tried to dig deep and explore this answer. All of the stock answers are very true. We are living out our dreams. We love what we do. We have never even been able to plan on how to slow down, let alone stop. But I think the river runs deeper than that. We are a part of history, and none of us wants to see that end. It is in our DNA to keep being The Oak Ridge Boys until God tells us it is time to quit. As long as He provides the health and the good vocals, I say we will sing until we drop. 

Appreciation for military sacrifice runs through much of your music. What kind of personal connections do you have with those who served? 

Actually, we have many. My dad and mom both served in World War II, so I have grown up with the flag waving at my house every single day. The other guys have family members and dear friends who have served as well. We all love our military, and we are very thankful for the sacrifices they have made and are making today all around the world. 

When you think about military men and women coming home from wartime service today, what do you think they need most? 

Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been going through a lot of failure and change, and many of our returning veterans with various needs have fallen through the cracks. This cannot stand. The physical and mental needs of our kids coming home from wars today are staggering, and I think they deserve to be cared for and looked after more than ever before.

It’s common for you to support values-driven organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, the National Anthem Project and the Legion. With so many groups asking to share your talents, how do you decide? 

I have heard Duane Allen say that we can affect people in one of three ways: positively, negatively or not at all. The Oaks choose the positive, so when we are presented with an opportunity to serve in some capacity we always say yes. Of course we can’t fit in everything that comes our way, but we try when the organization is special and doing great works. 

You have also performed for five U.S. presidents. What does that mean to you?

I think any time that we have performed for a president it has been a very special honor for us. Our friendship with George and Barbara Bush has been especially meaningful to us. We have been singing for No. 41 since he was vice president in 1982. We still sing for him today. Knowing these patriots has made us all better Americans.

Almost everyone has a personal connection, as well, to The American Legion. When you think of the Legion, what comes to mind? 

The way the Legion looks after our veterans. It is an honor to be associated with our American Legion. They are relevant and cutting-edge when it comes to dealing with returning vets who have slipped through those cracks, and they are also leading the charge in helping to fix VA, which we really need right now. I am thankful that The American Legion exists, and I hope that The Oak Ridge Boys can help bring some attention to the work they are doing right now, especially identifying and dealing with the post-traumatic stress affecting so many of our returning warriors. 

What compelled you to write the book “GI Joe and Lillie,” about your parents’ relationship? 

Well, the song came first, and after I wrote the song I wrote a small story based on the song. We turned it in to “Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul,” and they turned it down. My associate Kathy Harris, who knew my parents quite well, would not let it go, so she pitched it around some more. New Leaf Press was interested, but they wanted a longer story for perhaps a gift book. I made it longer, and they called for a meeting. They told me that the country was in dire need of a story like this, and could I write a book? So I said yes and went to work. 

As a side note, my mom wrote down a lot of things over the years. She always believed that her and Daddy’s story needed to be told. I told her on her deathbed that I would write the book, and it is such a blessing that it all worked out. After she passed, my sister Nancy found all of these memoirs of hers, and I utilized most of them in one way or the other. To me, this is Lillie’s book, and her voice and her story has now been heard. This would have made her very happy.

What is the bigger message of the book? 

Love, loyalty and service. Even after Daddy had a debilitating stroke, my mom never gave up on him. She dedicated her life to him and us kids. I mean prayerful and total dedication. She was very inspiring to everyone who knew her.

You followed that up with “From My Perspective,” another book with a big message. Can you explain some of that and how faith has guided your muse?

I cannot write for the sake of writing. I think the work should inspire on some level, and I think that God should be honored. “From My Perspective” is a cool little collection of stories about music, faith, veterans and even some humor, but I hope that when people read my writings Jesus and His love and guidance always shine through. 

I am just now finishing a new book for spring of 2015 titled “On the Road with The Oak Ridge Boys.” It is an inside look at the group, and it is very fresh and actually a lot of fun. My goal is still to inspire, and I think I have achieved this.

There’s a hungry market for music and books about faith, family, patriotism and wholesome values. Why do you think more artists and writers don’t consider that audience? 

Well, I know of many that do, but as you say, many do not. Everyone is different, and everyone’s pathway turns down a different side road from time to time. For me, I have to follow my heart, and my heart always tells me to do things that my mom would be proud of. I may fall short from time to time, but I assure you I am always trying to do things right.