Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall reflects on "Elvira" and women in country from Grand Ole Opry backstage
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2023
- In the half-century since tenor Joe Bonsall joined the Oak Ridge Boys - remarkably, he remains the newest member of the 4 - they have amassed 17 #1s on the US country charts. They have performed everywhere from Monte Carlo to Air Force One’s Oval Office in-flight. They are inductees of both the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2000) and Country Music Hall of Fame (2015), in addition to the hallowed Grand Ole Opry (2011).
In 1981, the Oak Ridge Boys suddenly struck gold with a monster pop crossover hit: "Elvira." Bonsall is the Oak Ridge Boy who sang the impassioned lead vocal, that continues to mesmerize and invigorate audiences of all ages while he croons it as a great-grandfather today.
Last October, the Oak Ridge Boys performed in a Grand Ole Opry program that also featured Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, in addition to the Opry debut for Miko Marks. WOUB PBS’s Ian Saint spoke with Bonsall backstage from Dressing Room #1, named after the King of Country Music himself: Roy Acuff.
Bonsall and Saint held a career-spanning conversation. They discussed the unlikely origins of Elvira’s recording and pop chart reign, the Oak Ridge Boys drawing audiences of multi-generational families while Bonsall is a great-grandfather, how the Oak Ridge Boys nearly had the song that became Wynonna Judd’s breakout single as a solo artist, and Bobbie Gentry’s decision to suddenly vanish from public engagement. Bonsall also paid homage to several queens of country music: Jody Miller, Loretta Lynn, and Naomi Judd. - เพลง
When my husband took me to see the Oak Ridge Boys in September of 2022, he was amazed that I could sing all their songs
Very cool! What is your favorite song? I think mine is "Trying to Love Two Women!"
I was deeply saddened when I heard that Joe had to retire due to health reasons. It’s ironic that’s the last part of the interview. America will miss his energy and enthusiasm on stage. I have never gotten tired of watching him perform. I’ve been am Oak Ridge Boys fan for 50 years now. Loved it all!
Yes, Joe has been on my mind - I'll always be grateful to sit down with him at the Opry, not long before he had to retire! 😥 Thank you so much for watching our interview! Isn't he a great steward for country music history in general? He totally clued me into Jody Miller.
First time I saw them was when “all” they had was Y’all Come Back Saloon! Have seen them 19 or 20 times total!
We All fight the Demons. Sometimes, The Demons win!! Don't Let Them win! It's hard to block out those voices that tell us to do things!!