Oak Ridge Boys bring hits to Yuma stage

The group made famous for such hits as “Elvira,” “Y'll Come Back Saloon,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Dream On,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes,” “Fancy Free” and more is launching a new tour and Yuma is one of its stops.

The Oak Ridge Boys will perform Feb. 9 at Yuma Palms RV Resort. Unfortunately, the shows are sold out.

After taking off some time for Christmas, the group is ready to hit the road again and is launching a 15-day West Coast tour that will include Yuma, explained Joe Bonsall, who sings tenor for the group's four-part harmony.

And while the Oaks perform some 150 shows a year, Bonsall is excited about coming to Yuma.

“I'm looking forward to it,” he said during a telephone interview. “Each show is special. It has its own feel to it ... it's own personality. Every night is inspiring. That's one of the things I enjoy about doing this.”

Fans can expect the group to perform some of its hits from over the years and maybe some new songs, a little gospel, some country and some patriotic — delivered with a lot of energy in a fast-paced show.

“Every show has a tribute to the military,” Bonsall said, adding that he hopes some of the military stationed in Yuma will come out.

Bonsall said the shows are all family shows. “You can bring the whole family. I think that's why we've been around so long.”

The Oaks represent a tradition that extends back to World War II when the original group began performing country and gospel music in Oak Ridge, Tenn. — hence the group's name. They began regular Grand Ole Opry appearances in 1945, and in the mid-'50s were featured in Time Magazine as one of the top drawing gospel groups in the nation. By the late 1960s, more than 30 members had come and gone.

The current lineup includes baritone William Lee Golden, who joined in 1965 (he left for a while but was back in 1996); lead singer Duane Allen, who joined the group in 1966; bass Richard Sterban, who joined in 1972; and Bonsall, who joined in 1973 as the tenor. They are backed by a six-piece band.

Bonsall said he has always loved four-part harmony and grew up with gospel music. “And I thought this group was innovative and cool, so I jumped at the change to join them. I was 25 years old at the time.”

He's now 64 and going strong, as are his three partners.

“It's amazing we've been together this long,” Bonsall said. In fact, the group is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with a milestone tour.

Over the years, the group has scored 12 gold, three platinum and one double platinum album — plus one double platinum single — and had more than a dozen national No. 1 singles and more than 30 Top Ten hits. They've received a long list of awards and honors and have sung for six presidents.

“There have been so many special moments,” Bonsall said. “We've been blessed to have a pretty cool career.”

While the Feb. 9 shows by Oak Ridge Boys are sold out, tickets are still available for other upcoming concerts at Yuma Palms RV Resort: