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). Jimmy was born on May 25, 1939 in . Show + Hotel Packages Available! Richard Sterban has been a fixture in the Oak Ridge Boys for decades. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The Oak Ridge Boys. In 1962 at the age of 18, Gary was noticed by the manager of the Southern Gospel group The Statesman, and was asked to fill in while the lead singer Jake Hess was on medical leave. She explained that they were in Tulsa, Oklahoma for treatment for Gary's cancer. Most recently, he had been the pastor at the non-denominational Faith & Wisdom church in Branson. Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen: 'We're Four Peterbilt Trucks Coming Right At You'. Songwriter Dallas Frazier, a multi-Grammywinner who is enshrined in theNashvilleSongwriters Hall of Fame, died on Friday, according to a report. Aaron McCune can not only can handle the bass parts to iconic country songs from The Oak Ridge Boys and others, he can go even deeper, and this is bringing the important element of four-part harmonies with bass in country music to a new generation. The Oak Ridge Boys Warn You to Beware of Scams Joining AARP and the DOJ to fight fraud In his A DAY OF BEING THANKFUL!!!!!! 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 . What you need to know, summarized in one email. Gospel singers and a cappella groups frequently exhibit some remarkable vocal ranges. All rights reserved (About Us). Bill and Gloria Gaither took to their Facebook page to share memories of their dear friend. Heartbreaking., Country-gospel vocal quartet the Oak Ridge Boys posted, Heartbreaking news. April 18, 2020 @ Under that second appellation, the Fort Payne founded group became one of the biggest country-music acts of all-time. 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 summer between seventh and eighth grade, my voice changed. Experienced the worst and only electrical storm of my life. well-respected journalist, and radio broadcaster Chuck Dauphin has passed away. RELATED: Gwen Stefani just lost it after getting to meet The Oak Ridge Boys. Heritage 74 Campbell County 35. 2,458 Following. This heartfelt project showcases the decades of close harmony singing between all four members. Reid struggled with a battle with kidney failure and died in his Staunton, Virginia home, according to his bandmate Jimmy. And the ability to entertain people, not necessarily just when youre singing., Cooked credited Alabamas musical longevity partly to the familial connected between he and his [distant] cousins: Owen, the bands charismatic frontman, and affable bassist Gentry. Years ago his wife had cancer and he asked for prayers for her. Remember Rodney Crowells Version of the Oak Ridge Boys Elvira? Joined March 2009. It had always been bubbling in the back of my mind to get one so finally I took two Music Mans and built it myself. He was 82. 10:01 pm. See Kris Kristofferson Reunite With Johnny Cashs. Sad news! The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. April 3, 2022 @ He was 77-years-old. 6:45 pm, We knew this week that God had a plan and his healing would be here on earth or in heaven., Luckyoldsun Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr. is an American singer who has been the tenor of the country/gospel vocal quartet The Oak Ridge Boys since April 1973. She was 94 years old. You had to blow people away to sell records and . Join us and some of our friends in celebrating 130 years of the Ryman! 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In his blog, Duane remembered how Bob and Margie moved their family to be close to where he lived, and recalled helping them set out presents for their kids on Christmas: I LOVED HELPING THEM AND SANTA CLAUS ARRANGE CHRISTMAS FOR ALL OF THEIR KIDS.BOB, MARGIE, AND I JUST BECAME LITTLE KIDS AS EACH CHILDRENS FAVORITE CEREAL WAS LAID IN THEIR PLACE IN STACKS..THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO THEIR OTHER GIFTS., Duane said Margie never spoke a BAD WORD about anyone, and that SHE WAS EASY TO LOVE AND I LOVED HER DEARLY.. The Oak Ridge Boys were unable to pursue their musical career in 2020 due to the pandemic. Born in 1952 in Richland, Ga., Sanders got his start in the entertainment business as a child singing gospel music. 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. This is a real loss for our whole family, for us and for the whole world. McSpadden also produced the Jubilee television series from Branson, as well as many other concerts and specials from the musical Missouri town. Growing up, he enjoyed fishing, playing trumpet in the . In a joint statement the surviving members of Alabama, Cooks cousins Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, said Cook, was a champion in all he attempted and he courageously faced his battle with a positive attitude. The statement said Cook had passed away peacefully and with his family and close friends by his side at his beach home in Destin, Florida., Whether playing his signature double-neck guitar, singing backing vocals or picking up a fiddle, Cook was a vital musical and visual component of Alabama. I remember seeing on TV a guy playing a double-neck, one neck a little shorter, Cook recalled. Website Design By, Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen: Were Four Peterbilt Trucks Coming Right At You. ESPN personality Marty Smith posted on Twitter, Grateful for the generational joy his talent provided my family, joy that will live on through his music., In 2015, I interviewed Jeff Cook around the time Alabama released Southern Drawl, the bands 23rd album (and, to date, most recent) and their first in 14 years. April 17, 2020 @ Free shipping for many products! 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. If it wasnt for a pact Gary made with his previous boss to return after he was well, who knows, Gary McSpadden might be a Country Music Hall of Famer, and would have never been replaced in the Oak Ridge Boys. Lead vocalist Duane Allen found his way to Oak Ridge in the 1960s, along with baritone William Lee Golden. . However, they bounced back and collaborated with Nashville's super-producer Dave Cobb for their 2021 album Front Porch Singin. As a younger man, did you think you would make it this long . 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. McSpadden was 77 years old. April 17, 2020 @ Steve Sanders (September 17, 1952 - June 10, 1998) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. O Little Town of Bethlehem; 15. The Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen is in mourning after suffering multiple loses over the span of two weeks. However, they found mainstream success in 1977 with the albumYall Come Back Saloon. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The former Oak Ridge Boys singer died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, according to reports. Jingle Bell Rock; 14. Oak Ridge Boys Member Gary McSpadden Has Died Trigger News 13 Comments Gospel singer and songwriter Gary McSpadden has died after a battle with pancreatic Cancer. 126.1K Followers. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. He also mentioned how the COVID-19 pandemic kept him from visiting any of his loved ones in their final moments, which hurts him even more: ALL OF THESE DEATHS HIT VERY HARDI HAVE FELT SO HELPLESS, BEING SEQUESTERED TO MY HOME..I DID NOT GET TO VISIT ANY OF THE THREE LOVED ONES BEFORE THEY PASSED, AND I CANNOT ATTEND THEIR FUNERALS.THAT HURTS DEEPLY IN MY GUT BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS DONE MY BEST TO HONOR THE LIFE OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY, he wrote. The Oak Ridge Boys biography and history on AllMusic including birthday, best songs, existing and new album information, and more. 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. In 1981, it had its biggest hit, "Elvira," which climbed to No. The Oak Ridge Boys came on the Country / Folk scene with the appearance of the album 'Seasons' released on November 30, 1985. As most of you know Gary and I have been in Tulsa at the Cancer Treatment Center of America. Jimbeau Hinson, the acclaimed country songwriter for Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Earle, and more, has passed away. 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! Dallas Frazier is among the greatest country songwriters of all time, said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Billboardreported. Their . Pride scored two other No. Today's Birthdays: Recent Deaths: New Listings: Living Oscar Winners: Oldest Living Major Leaguers: Alive in Baseball Hall of Fame: Dead Playboy Playmates (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for GMA). William Lee Golden subsequently returned to the group, and the Oak Ridge Boys remain together to this day. !, Duane reflected on all of his recent loses, including the death of his brother. Life on the road ended for the Oak Ridge Boys in March, but . Well known . "We believe it was a suicide," Angelo Bitsis, a spokesman for the Cape Coral Police Department, said. Indeed, fans flooded Joe's Twitter page when news began to spread that the country music legend had to go under the . And The Oaks, what a tremendous cut. However, they bounced back and collaborated with Nashvilles super-producer Dave Cobb for their 2021 albumFront Porch Singin. So they put me in the second bass section. He was a man of kindness, generosity, and faith, who overcame a hardscrabble upbringing to offer smiling gifts to all of us. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Besides his musical success, McSpadden became a pastor together with his father in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1967. 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