The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry last night (Aug. 6) by Opry member Jimmy Dickens. The legendary country music group made up of William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen was invited to join the Opry last month by Dickens, who surprised the group by walking on stage dressed as a 4’11” William Lee Golden, including long beard and sunglasses.

The group was surprised on stage by a video greeting from President George Bush.

“I can not think of any group or any person who deserve this honor more,” President Bush said, explaining that he’d been an Oak Ridge Boys fan since he first heard the group from inside the White House while they were singing “Elvira” on the White House lawn. “I ran outside like a little kid,” he said, “and I’ve been blessed to call them friends ever since. I think of the Opry and the Oaks both as American icons, beloved from coast to coast and known around the world. I can’t think of a better union. I love you boys, and my best to everyone at the Grand Ole Opry, one of my favorite places in America.”

After Dickens presented the members of the group with their Opry member awards, Joe Bonsall spoke first for the group, saying,

“We’ve always been a friend of the Opry. We’ve always believed in the Opry and loved and respected every member of this brotherhood and sisterhood of country music. We’ve been nervous wrecks all day long because we knew how special this would be. This is a meaningful night, and is it different tonight than it ever has been when we’ve come down here to sing? You bet your life it is!”

The Oak Ridge Boys’ four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have created dozens of country hits and a No. 1 pop smash, earned them Grammy, CMA, ACM, and Dove awards, and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. On September 19, the Oaks will release a new CD to be sold exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. It’s Only Natural will feature new music and new recordings of select ORB hits, including Elvira. The CD will be available at 603 Cracker Barrel locations nationwide and online at http://www.crackerbarrel.com/store/. For more information about The Oak Ridge Boys, logon to their website at www.oakridgeboys.com.

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The Oak Ridge Boys were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry this evening. The legendary country music group made up of William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen will be formally inducted into the Opry family on Sat., Aug. 6.

After the Oaks performed their hit “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” 62-year Opry member Jimmy Dickens surprised the group by walking on stage dressed as a 4’11” William Lee Golden, including long beard and sunglasses. “All my life I’ve wanted to be a little bitty Oak Ridge Boy,” Dickens announced to raucous laughter in the Opry House. “On August 6th, I will become the newest member of the Oak Ridge Boys, and at that time, you will become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry!”

Joe Bonsall responded for the group, saying, “Jimmy, that’s the funniest thing we’ve ever seen, first of all. This is a brotherhood and sisterhood unlike any other. We have been friends of the Opry for a long time. … We will get on our bus later and let this process, and I guess we have until August 6th to let it sink in.”

The group concluded its set with the classic “Elvira,” then returned to the stage to join Larry Gatlin on “All the Gold In California.”

The group’s four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have spawned dozens of country hits and a No. 1 pop smash, earned them Grammy, CMA, ACM, and Dove awards, and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. The group’s stage show featuring three decades of charted singles and years of tradition is widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere.

The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Humana®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year and on Tuesdays through Dec. 13. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com