The Oak Ridge Boys
50 Years of Music and Friendship
Ellen Keaton
Ashland Beacon
The words “Giddy up, um-poppa-um-poppa, mow, mow” is possibly one of the most recognized phrases in all of country music. It is synonymous with the Grammy award winning Oak Ridge Boys and their most recognizable song, Elvira. The group will be bringing their Farewell Tour to the Paramount Arts Center Saturday, April 27.
The group has a long and interesting history. They originally began in the early1940s as the Georgia Claudehoppers. They would sing regularly at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for workers and families who were restricted to the property during WWII. They soon took on the name of the town and became known as the Oak Ridge Quartet and in coming years…the Oak Ridge Boys.
In the beginning, they were strictly a gospel music group and continued as such until the 1970s as they began to gradually transition to the country genre. Richard Sterban, the group’s bass singer was traveling with Elvis in 1972. Richard said, “One day I got a phone from William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys. He asked me to join the group as their new bass singer. Here I was apparently on the top of the world traveling with the King of Rock and Roll, and suddenly I have to make a decision that would change my life forever.” There were probably many who questioned that decision but Richard continued, “Now over 50 years later, I can look back at the great career we have had…we’ve been blessed really, we have…and I think I made a pretty good decision.”
The final piece of the group fell into place when Joe Bonsall was added almost a year to the day after Sterban became a part of the group. The group consisting of Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Joe Bonsall has now spent more than 50 years together bringing their music to fans across the country.
In Jan. of this year, Joe Bonsall announced his retirement from the group. He has suffered from a neuromuscular disease for years. In announcing his retirement, he stated that it had become impossible to walk and being on the road was just too difficult. Ben James, formerly of Daily and Vincent, will finish the tour with the group. According to Sterban, “Ben has brought a lot of youth and a lot of talent to our group. We are not asking him to be Joe. He is not trying to be Joe; no one will ever be able to replace Joe. We are just a little different sounding Oak Ridge Boys now.”
Of the Farewell Tour, Sterban said the group just wants to go all over the country and to as many places as possible and say “thank you to our fans for allowing us to have such a great career.” One unique fact about the tour is there has been no ending day set at this point. “The reason for that is that we don’t know ourselves when it will end. We have not said that we are retiring just yet…we feel like the good Lord above will tell us it’s time to go home for good, but we don’t feel like He has said that just yet. We do have to be realistic, and retirement is inevitable.”
There have been so many hit songs for the group through the years—"Elvira,” “American Made,” “Dream On,” “Y’all Come Back Saloon” to a name a few. When pushed to choose just ONE song that was his favorite out of those 50 years Richard replied, “If you nailed me down to just one, I would have to say William Lee Golden when he sings ‘Thank God for Kids.’ That is a special moment in an Oak Ridge Boys show.”
A new project is in the works for the Oak Ridge Boys. There will be two releases coming later this year. One will be a rerelease of a previous project that will be a 50th Anniversary Celebration album. Approximately a month ago, the group just completed a brand-new project that included Ben James singing the tenor part. It is slated for a fall release.
Sterban summed up his final thoughts for the area fans: “Thank you, thank you, thank you! We have been so fortunate and blessed over the last 50 years, and it would not have been possible without the help and support of our fans.”
The Farewell tour may not have an ending date yet, but one day there will be one final concert, one last “Giddy up, um-poppa-um-poppa, mow, mow,” and one final bow for the legendary Oak Ridge Boys. Thank you for the songs, the laughter and the legacy you will be leaving behind.
The Oak Ridge Boys tickets can be purchased at the paramountartscenter.com. Doors for the concert April 27 open at 7 p.m. and concert at 8 p.m.
