Biography of The Oak Ridge Boys

The Oaks (as they prefer to be called) started out as an award-winning gospel quartet, and each of the four singers worked for other gospel groups before forming the present band composed of Duane Allen, lead singer; Joe Bonsall, tenor; Richard Sterban, bass; and Steve Sanders, guitarist. In the mid 70s they swung toward country-pop, where they have remained. A break came when Johnny Cash asked them to open for him in Las Vegas. Subsequent country-pop groups such as Alabama owe a lot to The Oaks. Among their many hits are "Elvira" and "Y'All Come Back Saloon." William Lee Golden, who has country's longest (and grayest) beard, left the group after singing baritone for two decades, because of an "image problem." ~ David Vinopal