Tag Oak Ridge Boys

Duane Allen’s induction into SGMA Hall of Fame an opportunity for ‘love to bloom’

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Duane Allen sings with the Oak Ridge Boys at the Kentucky State Fair in 2024. He has been the group’s lead singer since 1966 and will be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame on Sept. 23. (All photos by John Herndon.)
Legendary Oak Ridge Boy to be celebrated by the music he loves most

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

The last time Duane Allen attended the National Quartet Convention one certain guest was causing quite a stir with his presence.

“I remember Elvis was there and that was quite a commotion he was causing,” Allen said from his home in Hendersonville, Tenn., last week. 

When Allen steps into the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Monday, there won’t be a commotion or an uproar – Allen would never want that – but there will be an excitement as one of gospel music’s greats of 50-60 years ago returns to his roots to be inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. 

Continue reading “Duane Allen’s induction into SGMA Hall of Fame an opportunity for ‘love to bloom’” →

Paul Martin, Rockland Road sow seeds through music

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Paul Martin, right, plays the guitar while members of his family group, Rockland Road, sing ‘God Bless the USA’ at the Kentucky State Fair, August 18, 2024. From left are March, Jamie, Texas, Kell and Paul Martin.

Excellence in multiple genres has led to spot in Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — If you are talking about Kentucky music, somewhere along the line you have to talk about Paul Martin.

If you know the history of the local rock music scene around Lexington, you have to know Paul from his days in Charlie’s Garage and The Bunch. You might even know about Ambush, a local band Paul joined while attending George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester. 

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Fifty years of touring, an infinite impact

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The Oak Ridge Boys at the Kentucky State Fair, Aug. 20, 2023. From left are Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban. (Photo by John Herndon.)

Oak Ridge Boys’ farewell tour a time to reflect on their impact and personal blessings

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

I simply wasn’t ready for the news that hit my e-mail inbox last Tuesday.

The Oak Ridge Boys are finally saying goodbye. Almost 50 years after the current lineup first stepped on stage together, they announced their American Farewell Tour. 

“We are doing a farewell tour because we owe it to our fans to say goodbye,” William Lee Golden said in a release posted at http://www.oakridgeboys.com. “They have always been there for us through the good times and the bad. I will always be thankful to every person who came out to a show, bought a t-shirt, played our music, and overall, loved us enough to spend their hard-earned money whenever they could. This tour is for you!”

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Spotlight finally shines on Norah Lee Allen

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Bowling Green native Norah Lee Allen, whose career as a background vocalist at the Grand Ole Opry spanned more than 40 years, sings during the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 28, 2022.

Gospel roots anchored Opry vocalist on road to Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

RENFRO VALLEY, Ky. — It didn’t take long for Norah Lee Allen’s father to see he had special talent in his family.

“My father was in a quartet. He could tell we were musically inclined, so he formed a trio and we traveled for around 17 years,” Mrs. Allen recalls. “We traveled around to seven or eight different states. We didn’t travel as much until I was a little older but we sang at churches, revivals, concerts and wherever we could.”

The Stuart Sisters, based in their hometown of Bowling Green, became one of the most popular regional gospel singing groups around during the 50s and 60s. They recorded their own EPs and grew to be as busy as they wanted to be.

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‘MERRY DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS’

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The Oak Ridge Boys opened the Renfro Valley concert season before a packed house in April. They will close the season Sunday night as part of their 30th Christmas tour. From left are Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban.

Oaks remain focused on Christ’s birth, close Renfro Valley’s concert season Sunday

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

Staying fresh in the music business is never easy. Doing so after nearly a half century of performing together is almost unheard of.

But then again, The Oak Ridge Boys are anything but an ordinary group. The current lineup first sang together in 1973 and is now in the last two weeks of the legendary group’s 30th Christmas tour. Continue reading “‘MERRY DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS’” →

Making a difference with a heart of faith

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Oak Ridge Boys’ lead guitarist and Corbin, Ky. native Roger Eaton, right, solos during the “Did I Make A Difference?” at Renfro Valley Saturday night. At left is Oaks tenor Joe Bonsall.

Corbin native Roger Eaton of the Oak Ridge Boys shares how a relationship with Christ guides his life

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

RENFRO VALLEY, Ky. — It was more than fitting that the main spotlight shone on Roger Eaton midway through the Oak Ridge Boys’ annual trip to Renfro Valley Saturday night.

He’d smoked his electric guitar with a sizzling solo to punctuate “Did I Make A Difference,” a song where Duane Allen has the lead and asks if we have done enough to help others. Continue reading “Making a difference with a heart of faith” →