Oak Ridge Boys return to Country Tonite

First Class Productions’ series of concerts never disappoints: Its second performance for 2016 is The Oak Ridge Boys, a fan favorite returning to Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge.

The country and gospel band will perform at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 28 at the theater, located at 129 Showplace Boulevard.

Known for its four-part harmonies, the Oak Ridge Boys was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet, according to Wikipedia.com.

The group became popular in Southern gospel in the 1950s and officially changed its name to the Oak Ridge Boys in the early 1960s. They remained a gospel group until the mid-1970s, when they changed their image and concentrated on country music.

The Oak Ridge Boys consists of Duane Allen (lead), Joe Bonsall (tenor), William Lee Golden (baritone) and Richard Sterban (bass). Golden and Allen joined the group in the mid-1960s, and Sterban and Bonsall joined in the early 1970s.

Aside from an eight-year gap (1987-1995) – when Golden left the group and was replaced by guitarist Steve Sanders – the lineup has been together since 1973 and continues to tour and record.

Hits have included “Elvira,” “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made.”

In May 2012, the group returned to its Southern gospel roots with the release of the album “Back Home Again.” It included covers of the John Denver song of the same name and Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors.”

In 2013, the group celebrated its 40th anniversary with the same members with a special 40th Anniversary Tour, commemorative CD project, an Oak Ridge Boys-themed cruise and a network television special.

In 2014, the Oak Ridge Boys released its first ever live hits album, “Boys Night Out.”

This past fall, the talented musicians were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the May show are $39.95 plus tax.

For more information on the concert series, visit www.firstclassconcerts.com.

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