The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet….as the group was founded in the 1940’s as the Oak Ridge Quartet…..who became popular in southern gospel during the 1950’s. Their name was changed to the Oak Ridge Boys in the early 1960’s….and they remained a gospel group until the mid-1970’s….when they changed their image and concentrated on country music.
The lineup which produced their most well-known country and crossover hits….such as “Elvira” in 1981….“Bobbie Sue“ in 1982….and “American Made” consists of Duane Allen (lead), Joe Bonsall (tenor), William Lee Golden (baritone) and Richard Sterban (bass)…..as Golden and Allen joined the group in the mid-1960’s….and Sterban and Bonsall joined in the early 1970’s.
The group made three albums from 1983 to 1986….when the late-1983 album Deliver provided two # 1 singles….one of which, “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes”, was written by Randy Van Warmer, who had a hit in 1979 with “Just When I Needed You Most”. Their next album was Greatest Hits 2, released in July 1984….which unlike the 1980 Greatest Hits album….this one included two new songs, “Everyday” and “Make My Life With You”.….wherein both became # 1 country hits. In 1985 they released their 12th album, Step on Out….with the title cut being written by ex-Byrd Chris Hillman and former Crawdaddy magazine editor Peter Knobler. The group recorded two albums in 1986….one of which was a 2nd Christmas album….and in 1987 they recorded a single called “Take Pride in America”….which was used in television public service announcements about recycling.
In this video herewith, the Oak Ridge Boys perform the Star Spangled Banner at Game 7 of the 1985 World Series between the St Louis Cardinals verses the Kansas City Royals….in what was known as “The I-70 Series”….so, click and enjoy our National Anthem sung in perfect harmony….for this is something special.
