Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Oak Ridge Boys




I went last night to the Cactus Theater to see the Oak Ridge Boys.  They were always a favorite of mine.  They were saying last night that they were established as a gospel group in 1947 & after a few member changes & in the early 70s changed to a country band, but they still show their gospel roots.  I love that.

Members Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall & Richard Sterban joined together as the "last" Oak Ridge Boys & began touring in 1973.  Amazing that the same guys have been together for 50 years.  

I'd seen them a long time ago in the Lubbock City Colesium (aka "The Bubble") ...probably late 70s or early 80s.  Their opening act was my favorite 'Old Hippies', the Bellamy Brothers.

I've always loved live music concerts & the Cactus is a < 500 seat venue, so the seats are good.  I just saw Diamond Rio there a few weeks ago.  I wrote their review earlier.

The Oak Ridge Boys were, to be kind, old men. Like they are all in their 80s.   The music was familiar of course, but the voices were weak. To be fair, they are used to larger venues & their sound equipment was way too much for the room so that didn't help anything.  But it wasn't everything.  

Richard Sterban, the bass singer of the group, was out sick & there was a fill in last night. Aaron Something did a great job.

Joe Bonsall was having leg issues & their tour manager & Duane had to all but carry him to the stage. 

I will give them great credit...last night was their 2nd one in a row...they had sold out Sunday & agreed to another show.  Not sure a lot of younger bands could do that. And they were leaving after the show last night to drive back to Nashville on a bus, so big props there. 

I'm glad I went.  I don't know how long they'll be able to tour & I'm not sure they should be. I'm sure they love it but I'd probably think there would come a time  where they'd be tired of buses & maybe want to stay home with their families.  But who knows?





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