Oak Ridge Boys page 2

 Oak Ridge Boys page 2 by ric gustafson

Bonsall was excited to meet the group's members. Bonsall already was friends with the bass singer of the group. His name was Richard Sterban. Sterban was from New Jersey. He had worked in a department store selling men's clothes. Bonsall and Sterban became friends singing together in the Keystones Quartet. Sterban had been in a group called J D Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. That group eventually sang with Elvis Presley. 

The lead singer for the Oak Ridge Boys was Duane Allen. Bonsall knew him already because he had produced albums for the Keystone Quartet. Bonsall was excited to sing with him.

The baritone singer was William Lee Golden. The Oaks and the Keystone Quartet would do promotions together. Bonsall and Golden had many late night talks. Golden would encourage Bonsall that he had what it took to be a great singer with a quartet.

Bonsall's life changed when Golden called him one day. He told him that the group's tenor was leaving. Golden asked Bonsall if he wanted to join the group. Bonsall said yes. 

Bonsall got on the tour bus and it left for their first gig together. It was in Columbus Ohio. That first night, Bonsall was nervous. They were performing in a building on the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The next night they performed in Cincinnati Ohio. Bonsall's dream of being part of a four part harmony group had come true. Joseph S Bonsall was now an Oak Ridge Boy.

research help: ' On the Road with the Oak Ridge Boys' by Joseph S Bonsall

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric