News & Scoops

Country Music Hall of Fame Honors Oak Ridge Boys

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS:
THIRTY YEARS IN THE MAINSTREAM, 1975--2005

New Display Chronicles the Quartet's Gospel Origins, Rise to Superstardom and Continuing Popularity

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-July 27th, 2005--The Oak Ridge Boys: Thirty Years in the Mainstream, 1975-2005, a new exhibit spotlighting one of country music's most dynamic and enduring acts, is currently appearing at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. On Sunday, July 24th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., The Oak Ridge Boys discussed their long and successful career in Gospel and country music. The event was held in the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theatre. The exhibit will run through November 29, 2005.

Following the detailed discussion, hosted by country music editor Neil Pond, the group sang several choruses acapella, including "Amazing Grace," a song re-recorded for their recent release, Common Thread (Spring Hill Music). The album, available at the Museum's store where a signing was held after the interview, features new recordings of some of the group's Gospel hits and highlights over the years.

"Every time I think of the OAK RIDGE BOYS having an exhibit in the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME, I GET CHILL BUMPS!" said Duane Allen, prior to the event. "So, this week, when we celebrate this exhibit, I'm wearing my winter coat, in the middle of July, to address the chill bumps. I am humbled and honored and deeply touched by this event in our long career."

Thirty Years in the Mainstream examines the Oaks' journey from humble Gospel quartet to country music megastars, and also features biographical panels and artifacts devoted to members Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban. An ancillary exhibit chronicles the group's roots.

"The Oak Ridge Boys are one of the most popular, influential and enduring vocal groups in country music history," said Mick Buck, the Museum's curator of collections. "Known for their superb harmonies, rollicking rock & roll-infused live performances and upbeat, feel-good songs, the Oaks stretched the boundaries of the genre and helped pave the way for subsequent superstar groups...."

The act began in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet, a Gospel ensemble within Wally Fowler's country group, the Georgia Clodhoppers. After nearly 20 years and numerous personnel changes, they changed their name to the Oak Ridge Boys in 1962. Golden joined the group in 1965, Allen in 1966, Sterban in 1972 and Bonsall in 1973. By 1973, they had won a dozen Dove Awards as well as a Grammy.

Seeking to broaden their audience, the Oaks decided to pursue country music. After an unsuccessful stint at Columbia Records, the quartet was signed to ABC/Dot Records by Jim Foglesong; and in 1977, they released their first hit country single. In 1981, the group achieved crossover success, reaching #5 on the Billboard pop singles chart and catapulting the foursome to superstardom.

Many hits followed, and the group's accomplishments even prompted then-President Ronald Reagan to quip, "If the Oak Ridge Boys win any more gold, they'll have more gold in their records than we have in Fort Knox."

Among the costumes, instruments, photographs and other artifacts on display are:

* An original portrait of the group drawn by legendary caricaturist Al Hirschfeld and commissioned to promote their 1986 performance at Radio City Music Hall
* Joe Bonsall's Gibson five-string banjo
* Richard Sterban's Versace Dalmatian print jacket and DKNY black leather pants
* Duane Allen's alligator cowboy boots, embroidered with an image of the White House, and given to Allen by President George Herbert Walker Bush
* A 40" by 30" acrylic-on-canvas painting by William Lee Golden, titled "Ozark Mountain Jubilee"

The Oak Ridge Boys: Thirty Years in the Mainstream, 1975-2005 is an informal exhibit that supplements themes or aspects of the Museum's permanent exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Museum's mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum's Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.

The Ford Division of the Ford Motor Co. is a Founding Partner of the $37 million Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, which opened on May 17, 2001.

Common Thread is distributed by Word Entertainment/WEA and is digitally distributed by EMI CMG Distribution. The Oak Ridge Boys are booked by The William Morris Agency and managed by Jim Halsey, of The Jim Halsey Company.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com or by calling (615) 416-2001. For further information regarding The Oak Ridge Boys, visit http://www.oakridgeboys.com or http://www.springhillmusic.com