The Boys are back

Even after more than six decades of singing with the Oak Ridge Boys, William Lee Golden still gets a thrill from stepping on stage each night.

In fact, he says the excitement may be greater than ever.

The legendary country and gospel quartet will return to Hartville Kitchen for performances June 12-13, bringing a show that blends a mountain of hits with a renewed sense of purpose.

"It's a joy every day to get on stage. That's a high point in the day for me," the long-silver-bearded Golden, 87, told The Hartville News by phone June 3 in his smooth, bellowing baritone voice. "We found that singing and harmonizing has been healing for us."

The past few years have been challenging for the Boys. They lost longtime tenor Joe Bonsall in 2024, while bass singer Richard Sterban has spent the past year undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. Sterban recently completed his treatments and joined the group at a recent Grand Ole Opry appearance.

But it is the Oak Ridge Boys' new generation of talent that has Golden especially excited these days. He loves the energy brought by tenor Ben James and bass singer Aaron Lee McCune.

"We're excited to be singing together still and to have these young guys that help hold us up on each side here, man," Golden said. "Duane (Allen) and I have been singing together now since the mid 60s … (but) with these young guys, with all the energy, it kind of lifts us up. It's contagious.”

Golden joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1965. About a year later, lead singer Allen joined. Together they helped guide the quartet through its transformation from a traditional gospel act into one of country music's most recognizable acts.

"We were basically a full gospel quartet," he said. "We stayed that until the early '70s."

Soon after, the group partnered with manager Jim Halsey and eventually recorded its landmark country album, "Y'all Come Back Saloon," in 1977.

Today, Golden believes it is the gospel-style harmonies that continue to resonate with audiences.

"The Oak Ridge Boys are the only four-part harmony singing group out there in country music today," he said. "I fell in love with four-part harmony singing in high school."

Golden grew up on a cotton and peanut farm in southern Alabama. His mother and sister taught him rhythm guitar and harmony singing when he was just 6 years old. By 8, he was performing on his grandfather's Sunday morning radio show.

"I've been able to travel around the world singing with things that my sister and mother taught me," he said.

Ohio has long been part of the Oak Ridge Boys' touring history. Golden recalled appearances at the Ohio State Fair, including performances alongside Kenny Rogers.

Hartville Kitchen, however, remains a favorite stop for the singers and crew.

"It's really a unique place," Golden said. "You're closer to your audience than anywhere else you're playing really. I mean, they're right there at the edge of the stage with you."

Golden added: "We always have to bring at least a Hartville Kitchen pie home, or our families don't want us to come back."

The Oak Ridge Boys recently completed another album with acclaimed Nashville producer Dave Cobb, whose work includes projects with Chris Stapleton and The Red Clay Strays.

The upcoming Oak Ridge Boys album, "Buried Treasures," features both new material and classic songs interpreted by the current lineup.

Golden sings lead on Billy Joe Shaver's "I'm Gonna Live Forever" and one of his longtime favorites, Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

"We've been fortunate through the years," he said. "It's exciting for us to be doing brand-new things."

As the Oak Ridge Boys' elder statesman, Golden's signature beard and mountain-man persona – which contributed to a nine-year departure from the band beginning in 1987 – have become almost as famous as the group's music. Asked about its origins, Golden had a simple explanation.

"I lost my razor in 1980," he said with a laugh. "I still haven't found it."

Tickets, beginning at $89, for the Oak Ridge Boys' June 12-13 shows at Hartville Kitchen are available at hartvillekitchen.com. Both performances begin at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6.