Country singer Travis Tritt posted, Sending out my deepest condolences to the family, friends and band mates of Jeff Cook from Alabama. He was 73. The Oak Ridge Boys have earned 12 gold, three platinum, and one double platinum albumplus one double platinum singleand had more than a dozen national Number One singles and over 30 Top Ten hits. Suits in hand, the men will board a private jet. Cowboy & Indians: First off, Happy Birthday to you, sir. Gary was an incredible person., (L-R) Christian music singers Bill Gaither, Gary McSpadden, and Shawn McSpadden attend the GMA Honors Celebration and Hall of Fame Induction at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 29, 2014. Your IP: 1 country hits alongside Frazier and Owens, including (Im So) Afraid of Losing You Again, in 1969, I Cant Believe That Youve Stopped Loving Me, in1970, and Then Who Am I, in 1974. Im confused. According to Alabamas statement, Cook is survived by his wife of 27 years Lisa Cook, his mother Betty Cook, brother David Cook, Crystal Cook, his father-in-law Jerrial Williams, his brother-in-law Randy Williams and many nieces and nephews. As the wonderful, deep bass voice featured in iconic Oak Ridge Boys classics like, "Elvira," he helps to round out their unique and trendsetting sound. The Oak Ridge Boys wereinductedinto the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Margie was married to Duanes late brother, Bob. ! Who: The Oak Ridge Boys . He was eventually inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame with Duane and other members in 2000. A half-century ago, tenor Joe Bonsall and bass Sterban joined and the band held its. blog post, Duane spoke about the hurt hes been feeling after losing his brother, friend, and sister-in-law in such a short amount of time. Ive been there ever since.. Singer and Former Oak Ridge Boys Member Gary McSpadden Dies at 77 By Lorenz Duchamps April 17, 2020 Entertainment (L-R) Christian music singers Bill Gaither, Gary McSpadden, and Shawn McSpadden attend the GMA Honors Celebration and Hall of Fame Induction at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 29, 2014. Sad news! We are sad to report that former Oak Ridge Boy, Gary McSpadden died on April 15, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Lead vocalist Duane Allen found his way to Oak Ridge in the 1960s, along with baritone William Lee Golden. It's a second residence, 150 acres on the Tennessee-Kentucky line. The American country and gospel group, The Oak Ridge Boys, started gaining traction in the '50s. Frazier, who was born in Spiro,Oklahoma, also co-wrote numerous No. She explained that they were in Tulsa, Oklahoma for treatment for Gary's cancer. The group itself has existed in some incarnation for 70 years, with over 25 singers shuffling through the lineup. With a house on Lake Guntersville, Cook liked to fish for bass mostly, he said. Billy R. Smith, Jr., their longtime bus driver, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday (Sept. 21). Remembering Otis Redding: How His Family Keeps His Legacy Alive In Georgia and Beyond, 35 Wedding Blessings, Prayers, and Readings for Your Special Day, Dolly Parton Mourns the Death of Brother Randy, 20 Affordable Family Vacations You Haven't Thought Of Before, Group Of Volunteer Knitters Completing Unfinished Projects Of People Who Died, What Stands in a Storm: When the Winds Died Down, The Ultimate Boat Trip Through South Carolina's Undiscovered Lowcountry, Gary Gaines, Legendary Texas Football Coach of 'Friday Night Lights' Fame, Has Died, Montgomery Native Stephen tWitch Boss Has Died, Mike Leach, Mississippi State Head Football Coach, Has Died. Although Led Zeppelins Jimmy Page is by far the most widely known double-neck guitar player, Cook told me he got the inspiration to pick up a double-neck from early country musicians Joe Maphis and Red Foley. 1 hit, Billboard reported. Indeed, fans flooded Joe's Twitter page when news began to spread that the country music legend had to go under the . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Frazier wrote Beneath Still Waters for Emmylou Harris in 1980, which became a No. He could convey infectious fun with Elvira, and then write something as stunningly sad and true as Beneath Still Waters, Young added. . He appeared on Broadway in The Yearling, and also in the 1967 film Hurry Sundown, which starred Jane Fonda and Faye Dunaway. He was a man of kindness, generosity, and faith, who overcame a hardscrabble upbringing to offer smiling gifts to all of us. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban about Bonsall's new book and their latest CD. Besides his musical success, McSpadden became a pastor together with his father in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1967. well-respected journalist, and radio broadcaster Chuck Dauphin has passed away. We would Share on FB and pray with each other for his wife. But Ill catch anything that will bite. Not long after losing his brother, Duane was left to cope with the death of a former Oak Ridge Boys member, Gary McSpadden. Oak Ridge Boys Singer Gone At 77 Country Cast 407K subscribers Subscribe Share 316K views 2 years ago Former Oak Ridge Boys Vocalist, Gary McSpadden, has passed away at the age of 77. Richard Benjamin 'The Old Man' Harrison passed away this morning surrounded by those he loved. Duane cared for Fred deeply, and said he was aHERO in his life. NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 29: Oak Ridge Boys' and Wives, Duane Allen, Nora Lee Allen, Donna Sterban, Richard Sterban, Simone De Staley, William Lee Golden, Mary Bonsall and Joe Bonsall attend Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden at there wedding on August 29, 2015 at The Rosewall in Nashville, Tennessee. Heritage 74 Campbell County 35. He'd had a long career as a gospel singer before ultimately landing a gig as the Oak Ridge Boys' sideman guitarist at the peak of their commercial success in the early '80s. After playing rhythm guitar in the Oaks Band, Sanders was asked to replace William Lee Golden, the baritone in The Oak Ridge Boys, who had left the group in 1987. April 16, 2020 @ It is a great thing that has happened . Years ago his wife had cancer and he asked for prayers for her. Official website for The Oak Ridge Boys, including tour dates, discographies, biography and facts, fan club information, and merchandise for sale. 126.1K Followers. The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet. Steve Sanders left behind a successful career and a troubled personal legacy when he died on June 10, 1998. The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. STUNNING NEWS Lisa Marie ELVIS only daughter has passed away at age 54 wow #RIPLisaMarie 13 Jan 2023 01:57:28 George Jones, the late Merle Haggard, who recently passed away, for the Oak Ridge Boys to be a part of that family, and to even being mentioned in the same breath, it's very, very special. 1:24 pm. According to his obituary, he passed away on December 28, 2020. Pretty cool that he was with the Oaks, then Elvis, and then with the Gaithers. I loved his music in the 90s and still listen to his gospel music today. About The Oak Ridge Boys Tour Albums. This has been a quick and difficult journey we have been on. Sterban noted how often folks sing along with it in concert. By the late '60s, with more than 30 members having come and gone, they had a lineup that included Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Noel Fox and Willie Wynn. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Click to reveal Gary was a member of the Oaks for some time, and recorded three albums with the group. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 11:33 pm. After news of Cooks death, musicians took to Twitter to pay their respects. It has perhaps the most famous set of non-lyrics of all time, the infectious ooom-papa-mow-mow bit, performed by Sterbans deep voice. Joined March 2009. In 1981, it had its biggest hit, "Elvira," which climbed to No. He was 65 years old. Books Magazines. Gary passed away on Wednesday (April 15) at the age of 77 following a brief battle with cancer. Among the Oaks' many acquaintances in the gospel field were Bonsall, a streetwise Philadelphia kid who embraced gospel music wholeheartedly, and Sterban, who was singing in quartets and . McSpadden grew up in Lubbock, Texas and his musical career began in the 1960s with gospel music as he filled in for a member of the Statesmen Quartet. They will have all kinds of furniture, household items, computers and electronics, clothing for all ages, children's toys and gear, books . He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was 82. His songs helped Connie Smith to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Oak Ridge Boys. blog post. The Oak Ridge Boys are mourning the loss of one of their own. ALL OF THE CURRENT OAK RIDGE BOYS WERE INFLUENCED BY GARY, Duane wrote in his A DAY OF BEING THANKFUL!!!!!! More than 25 singers have passed through the. Bill and Gloria Gaither took to their Facebook page to share memories of their dear friend. Friend and brother Jeff Cook of Alabama has passed. One of the largest independent Christian music companies, Gaither Music Group also took to Twitter to pay tribute to McSpadden. I remember Gary coming town in the late 80s and hosting a record burning at a local kooky church. I feel bad today of learning of the passing of Gary McSpadden. With the Oak Ridge Boys, you have performed 41 consecutive times at the Kentucky State Fair - setting a record. I remember seeing on TV a guy playing a double-neck, one neck a little shorter, Cook recalled. The Oak Ridge Boys Richard Sterban Tells the Story Behind Elvira. Silent . It's not good if you have a heart attack, but it's great if you want to sit on the porch by yourself and pick banjo for coyotes. April 18, 2020 @ 1 hits with A.L. He and his sister Sheryl were two of the prettiest children you ever saw. William Lee Golden subsequently returned to the group, and the Oak Ridge Boys remain together to this day. "But, it was kind of an interesting thing in . Photos provided The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their hit song, "Elvira." Richard Sterban, far right, spoke with the News Press about the song's history and what's . If you enjoyed, I try to do videos every day! With Richard Sterban doing his thing on it and the horns just making it first classit had so much magic in it, itd just raise the hair on your arms., Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Getty Images for Country MusicHall of Fame and Museum, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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The Oak Ridge Boys began recording songs in a style that helped country music embrace a more contemporary sound, and their look changed with the times. The whole thing makes sense. However, they bounced back and collaborated with Nashville's super-producer Dave Cobb for their 2021 album Front Porch Singin. Please enjoy that song below. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. And boy did it change, he quipped. Sanders made his recording debut as a member of the Oaks on their Heartbeat album in 1987, and he was featured on several of their later hits, including "Gonna Take a Lot of River," which gave them a No. Best price! Sad News, Oak Ridge Boys singer Joe Bonsall Is Pass Away Expected Soon Family Prepare To Say Goodbye#joebonsall #oakridge #oakridgeboys Click to SUBSCRIBE for more awesome! They were so popular, in fact, that they were able to get punched by a drunk cowboy at one . This includes personalizing content and advertising. She was 94 years old. Experienced the worst and only electrical storm of my life. Rest easy, the battles have ended." Musicians. The band The Oak Ridge Boys recently shared some sad news. In Part 1 of our interview series with long-time member of the Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, we covered a lot of ground, including the musical evolution of his group since its gospel-roots inception in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in 1943; practical joking among group members All Content 2023 The Oak Ridge Boys. Maybe that has something to do with the way we say words and pronounce things and helps us with our harmonies., For their golden harmony vocals, a signature aspect of their sound, Alabama drew inspiration from the likes of Statler Brothers and Oak Ridge Boys, Cook said. McSpadden was part of The Imperials when they famously sang backup for Elvis Presley. When I do that part in person, I look out in the audience and see all the men trying to sing along with me., Believe it or not, Sterban first started singing as a Soprano as a child in his church choir. "Sometimes you wonder; you look back over your life and you wonder where has all the time gone," Sterban tells Everything Nash. He also produced TV series such as Jubilee, and produced and appeared in several music concerts in the 1990s and 2000s, Christian music portal Hallels reported. McSpadden produced Dove Award-Winning recordings for numerous groups like, The Bill Gaither Trio, The Cathedrals, and The Gaither Vocal Band. Get 2023 tour dates, venue details, concert reviews, photos and more at Bandsintown. During the 1970s and 1980s alone, they achieved an impressive total of 30 chart-topping country hits. Reid struggled with a battle with kidney failure and died in his Staunton, Virginia home, according to his bandmate Jimmy. Gary McSpadden, a member of iconic country music vocal group the Oak Ridge Boys as it transitioned from its gospel music roots as the Oak Ridge Quartet, died on Wednesday (April 15). He parted ways with the group in November of 1995 after years of ongoing legal and personal battles between Sanders, his first wife and his second wife began to draw unwanted headlines and negative publicity. Buy tickets for The Oak Ridge Boys concerts near you. When I was a young singer with The Faith Four Quartet I thought Gary McSpadden was the coolest gospel singer ever He was once an Oak Ridge Boy but I saw him with The Imperials and often imitated (quite badly) his rendition of Gloryland Rest Easy Gary, Bonsall wrote on Twitter. Gary has been battling cancer along with other complications over the last several weeks, his wife wrote in the statement. A few years back we did an interview with. Despite all of the pain he has suffered, Duane knows he will get through it. 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