Oak Ridge Boys inducted into the Grand Ole Opry - photo credit: Chris Hollo
I remember singing Elvira clear back when I was an itty bitty kiddy in the 80s, so when news broke not too long that The Oak Ridge Boys were finally being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry I was shocked...not because they were getting the honor but because they hadn't gotten it decades ago.
I mean seriously? Carrie Underwood was inducted in 2008 and Blake Shelton was inducted in 2010 but the Oak Ridge Boys hadn't been made members yet?
I love me some Carrie and Blake (oh how I love me some Blake Shelton) and love all the success they've had, but doesn't that seem a little backwards?
Oh well, the wrong has finally been righted and last night The Oak Ridge Boys were finally made members of the hallowed halls of the Grand Ole Opry.
Congrats boys!
Oh, and if you'd like some interesting reading, check out The Oak Ridge Boys Wikipedia page. Did you know the band was originally founded in the '40s? Amazing. They're totally the Menudo of country music.
You can read the entire press release with all the details after the jump...
The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry this evening by Opry member Jimmy Dickens. The legendary country music group made up of William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen was invited to join the Opry last month by Dickens, who surprised the group by walking on stage dressed as a 4’11” William Lee Golden, including long beard and sunglasses.
The group was surprised on stage by a video greeting from President George Bush. “I can not think of any group or any person who deserve this honor more,” President Bush said, explaining that he’d been an Oak Ridge Boys fan since he first heard the group from inside the White House while they were singing “Elvira” on the White House lawn. “I ran outside like a little kid,” he said, “and I’ve been blessed to call them friends ever since. I think of the Opry and the Oaks both as American icons, beloved from coast to coast and known around the world. I can’t think of a better union. I love you boys, and my best to everyone at the Grand Ole Opry, one of my favorite places in America.”
After Dickens presented the members of the group with their Opry member awards, Joe Bonsall spoke first for the group, saying, “We’ve always been a friend of the Opry. We’ve always believed in the Opry and loved and respected every member of this brotherhood and sisterhood of country music. We’ve been nervous wrecks all day long because we knew how special this would be. This is a meaningful night, and is it different tonight than it ever has been when we’ve come down here to sing? You bet your life it is!”
The Oak Ridge Boys' four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have created dozens of country hits and a No. 1 pop smash, earned them Grammy, CMA, ACM, and Dove awards, and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. On September 19, the Oaks will release a new CD to be sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. It's Only Natural will feature new music and new recordings of select ORB hits, including Elvira. The CD will be available at 603 Cracker Barrel locations nationwide and online at http://www.crackerbarrel.com/store/. For more information about The Oak Ridge Boys, logon to their website at www.oakridgeboys.com.
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