Entertainment

Oak Ridge Boys harmonize for ailing ex-president

December 31, 2012 / 1:47 PM EST / CBS/AP

The Oak Ridge Boys perform during the GOP Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Aug. 28, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. From left are Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban. Win McNamee/Getty

When a former president asks you to sing, you drop everything and comply.

Or at least that is what the Oak Ridge Boys did when former President George H.W. Bush's wife, Barbara, asked the group to sing for him over the telephone.

Singer Joe Bonsall told the Associated Press that within 45 minutes of the Friday request, they had gathered in the group's office and made the singing phone call to Mr. Bush in the hospital.

Mr. Bush had requested the members of the Oak Ridge Boys sing their hit "Elvira," and they obliged. They followed it up with "Amazing Grace."

Singer Duane Allen says he's really proud to be an Oak Ridge Boy after being able to sing for a president they consider a friend.

Mr. Bush was hospitalized Nov. 23 for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough. His condition is said to be improving and he's been moved out of intensive care into a regular hospital room.

The country music quartet released two albums this year: "Back Home Again" in May and "Christmas Times A-Coming" in November. The group is set to embark on a 40th anniversary tour in 2013.