Second Cup Cafe: The Oak Ridge Boys

Veteran Quartet, Known for Hit "Elvira" and Signature Harmonies, Has Ties to "King of Pop"

(CBS)  The Oak Ridge Boys, one of the longest-running groups in country music, are back, and bringing a lot of country and a little bit of rock, blues and gospel.

Known for the hit, "Elvira," which helped them cross over to the pop charts, The Oak Ridge Boys even have ties to the "King of Pop."

In 1981 the group crossed paths with the Jackson 5 at Nashville's Municipal Auditorium.

The Jackson 5 serenaded William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys and his sons with "Elvia," which was topping the charts at the time.

Golden and family returned the favor, singing "Happy Birthday" to Michael Jackson, who had just turned 23. They presented Jackson with a birthday cake after a photo was taken.

The Oak Ridge Boys stopped by "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s Second Cup Cafe to perform a song off their new album, "The Boys are Back," along with their classic hit, "Elvira."

The talented quartet's four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have resonated with fans across the country, pop, and gospel genres, selling more than 30 million records.

The Boys know how to re-invent themselves. They started out as a gospel group in 1973, but later decided to delve into country music and knew they should look the part.

So the fabulous four grew their hair long and stopped wearing matching suits, reinventing themselves as country stars with 1977's "Y'All Come Back Saloon."

"I think, if you're going to stay around as long as us, reinvention is absolutely, 100 percent necessary," said tenor Joe Bonsall on the quartet's official Web site. "We're still out here, and we're still smokin' along because we've got four guys who are always thinking ahead, looking forward."

The Boys have ten Gold Albums, two Platinum, and one Double Platinum album as well as 25 No. 1 hits including: "Elvira," "American Made," "Bobbie Sue," "Thank God For Kids," and "Y'all Come Back Saloon."

"It's great after all these years that we still get to make exciting new music," said baritone Golden on their Web site. "I just feel so blessed."

The Academy of Country Music named The Oak Ridge Boys a 2008 recipient of the ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. Back in October 2000, the Gospel Music Association inducted the Oak Ridge Boys into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

The Oak Ridge boys formed in 1943 in Knoxville, Tenn. with different members. Golden and Duan Allen joined in the late '60s, Richard Sterban and Bonsall joined in the early '70s.

[pickaguitar1]

RIP Michael

[scubbasteve01]

There's only one word for the Oak Ridge Boys. COOL!

[sam-kiley]

coucou erica.chris..
by Wildcat34 October 17, 2009 9:25 AM EDT
The Oak Ridge Boys were great.

je dis pareil, je ne connaissais pas ..je découvre et je les trouve superbes
original comme groupe, et la voix wow!!! super...merci a vous de nous faire découvrir...au revoir.. bon week end..a toute l'équipe du "early show"

[proudmilvet]

The Oak Ridge Boys Suck!

[Sloughfoot]

Hey proud, if you had any pride you don't show it.

[Hitsofthe60s]

The Oak Ridge Boys play in Branson Missouri in their self-named theater, The Oak Ridge Boys Theater. They are only one of many show in Branson Missouri, which is known as the 'Live Music Show Capital of the World'. There is something for everyone's taste in music. #1 Hits of the 60's invites you to come see the 60's Decade come alive on stage with the cast and band through music/Pop Music, dance, comedy and unique video segments. Branson also offers, theme parks, 3 fresh water lakes, shopping and a whole lot more.

[Wildcat34]

The Oak Ridge Boys were great.

CBS SUCKS!!!

I spent the whole 8:00 hour waiting to hear them play Elvira. They ended the show with that song and at 8:57 they got cut off by the CBS 2 News Satutday here in the NYC area. Didn't even get to the 2nd verse of the song.

Did I mention that CBS SUCKS!