Music legends The Oak Ridge Boys are bringing their high-energy stage show to the Union Colony Civic Center at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2, performing their award-winning lineup of classic gospel, country and patriotic music.
Considered to have one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry, the Oaks are best known for popular hits such as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” and “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes.” With more than five decades of charted singles and tradition, the Oaks have gained a wide fan base, spanning generations and genres.
Get to Know the Oaks
- Duane Allen – A Texas native, Allen received formal training in both operatic and quartet singing prior to joining the Oaks in 1966. He is a member of the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame and authored a book on the history of gospel music. In the last two decades, he has taken on the role of co-producer and executive producer of the group.
- Joe Bonsall – Principal spokesman for the Oaks on stage, Bonsall started singing at age four, and in his mid-teens fell in love with southern gospel music harmony. He joined the Oaks in 1973 just prior to the group emerging onto the country music scene. An avid writer and songwriter, Bonsall wrote several of the group’s popular hits and a number of books, including several detailing his time with the Oaks.
- William Lee Golden – The son of a farmer in rural south Alabama, the band’s “Mountain Man” began singing as a child on his grandfather’s weekly radio show, where his love of harmony came alive. He joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1965 and later performed as a successful solo artist before rejoining the Oaks.
- Richard Sterban – Growing up in New Jersey, Sterban found his passion for music early on. Before joining the Oaks in 1972, Sterban sang with various groups, eventually joining J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, which afforded him the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to sing with Elvis, the king of rock and roll. His book “From Elvis to Elvira,” describes his early music career and journey to the Oak Ridge Boys.
The Oaks Celebrated Music Career
The group has scored 12 gold, three platinum, and one double platinum album—plus one double platinum single. More than a dozen of their singles hit No. 1, including pop-smash hit “Elvira,” which earned the group a Grammy award for “Best Vocal Performance by a Country Group.” In addition to receiving Dove, Country Music Association, and Academy of Country Music awards, the ACM honored the Oaks with the Pioneer Award in 2008. In 2015, the Oaks were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Union Colony Civic Center staff and officials are deeply grateful to the 2021 sponsors who help the shows go on. The 2021 Fall Semester Sponsors include:
- Colorado Creative Industries,
- UCHealth,
- Banner Health
- the Women's Clinic of Northern Colorado
To become a sponsor, contact Celeste McCorvey at celeste.mccorvey@greeleygov.com or 970-350-9878.
The UCCC, 701 10th Ave., is Northern Colorado's premier performing arts venue, owned and operated by the City of Greeley. With more than 100 events held per year, the UCCC offers various Broadway musicals, concerts, comedy shows, and many local dance and school performances. Spring 2022 performances will be announced later this year.
Visit ucstars.com for more information and to purchase tickets. Connect with the UCCC at facebook.com/UnionColonyCivicCenter.