Now let’s get this straight. One is 72 years old and looks like Santa Claus lost in a John Wayne western. Three wear clothes that allow their belly bulges to be somewhat concealed, and one has a voice that produces a low note just a little deeper than the bottom note on a tuba. But from my personal experience at the King Center on Wednesday night, I must say that indeed the Boys are Back!

The King Center is a fabulous performance venue. The sound is great, the size is perfect, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. It is a very comfortable experience. I must admit I like to go to concerts of some old-time legends, hoping that a little magic remains. Often the star performer surrounds him or herself with a youngish, hot-shot band. Periods of music will be followed by longer stories and tired attempts at self-deprecating humor. Then after a relatively short show, the crowd shows its appreciation of a life-long achiever, cheering what remains and what used to be.

Not this time. The boys were back. The Oak Ridge Boys. And they came bounding onto the stage like boys. Richard Sterban, still the most impressive bass singer alive, took his place, sending pulses of nearly sub-sonic thunder across the auditorium. William Golden appeared with his amazing snow-white beard and wispy hair, singing full, rich, and sweet. Duane Allen, with calm demeanor and winning smile, shaped the melody with clarity and precision. And Joe Bonsall, like a hyper-active banty rooster in full strut, criss-crossed the stage numerous times, singing the tenor line with easy confidence. After only a few minutes, it was hard to think of these guys as older men; rather, they were energetic, seasoned professionals dedicated to putting on a great show. Sometimes an older performer can look silly – trying to fill a role that no longer fits. Not true here. These guys had a choreographed show, but all the movements seemed natural – as if they took themselves seriously, but not too seriously.

And the show itself wasn’t just the “stand and deliver” kind of performance. While they performed, The Oak Ridge Boys had images projected on a screen behind them – images that enhanced the stories they sang. Sometimes flowing designs would fill the space, sometimes scenes of small towns and open country would sweep across, and sometimes even dancing silhouettes punctuated a bouncy song. At all times, they drew attention to their band – six guys who produced a solid foundation that supported every note sung. They also complimented those who had written songs for them, one as young as sixteen. They repeatedly said nice things about their opening act, Billy Dean. We in the audience could easily sense that these four stars had respect for each other, respect for their band, and respect for the audience who had come to hear them.

After the concert, my wife Patty, who for a time was a stage technician in Orlando for some huge acts such as Paul McCartney, George Michael, Pavarotti, and many others, said that The Oak Ridge Boys’ show on Wednesday was one of the best she’d seen. It might also have been the best I’ve seen live. As we left I felt that we had been given the whole package. We had heard some great music, we had listened to a tight band, and we felt like we had personally interacted with a group of performers who still love what they are doing – maybe even love it more than they did when they were younger. And you could see that no matter how old their bodies may have become, the Boys are Back! – Bob Tatum

On March 16,Sound Traveler will be playing for the “Picnic on the Patio” at the King Center prior to the Chris Botti concert. We’d love to see you there. Check the schedule on this web site for upcoming shows.

To comment, just click on the title of the post, scroll down, and share some memories.

3 Comments to “SongTravelin’:03.04.11 – The Boys Are Back!”

• March 4, 2011 at 9:46 am
  Libby says:

  I like elvira. My daddie used to sing to me when i was little.
• March 4, 2011 at 4:28 pm
  Patty says:

  If you have the chance, definitely check out this show. Bob is right when he says it’s one of the best I’ve seen, and I’ve seen more than my fair share of shows. It was a pleasure to see entertainers who are having as much fun as these guys seem to be.

  Also, I worked a show for the Oak Ridge Boys…a long time ago, back in the late 80s in Orlando. I was a spotlight operator for the show as well as doing the typical set-up/load-out stuff. I worked many shows during my short career as a technician, and the Oak Ridge Boys were the only group who gave the local crew free tickets to bring their families. Thanks to them, I was able to take my parents to a show later that month in Daytona Beach. They definitely seem to be a class act who cares about the people around them.

  Go, Oak Ridge Boys – I’m glad you’re back!
• March 9, 2011 at 9:06 am
  H.G. says:

  Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Friday. This is a great story. Thanks!