Lead singer & Pres. OAK RIDGE BOYS. Inc., since 1966. COUNTRY & GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAMES, TEXAS COUNTRY & GOSPEL HOF’S, VOCAL GROUP HOF. Member GRAND OLE OPRY
@joebonsall
When I saw how many of you “liked” (hundreds) my post to Joe, big old tears filled my eyes. You people “get” what we are all about. It’s the little things we do for each other. We don’t blow horns or send up flares, we just do our best to be the men we sing about in our music.
@joebonsall
We have always been this close. I miss my friend’s presence in everything I do. I know he is “with” me in spirit, he is embedded in my life, my heart, and our music, even before the
@oakridgeboys
.
I can’t explain it but I miss Joe Bonsall. We prayed for him every day for over a year. Hadn’t seen him in years. He talked with me a few days before he went to Heaven! Praying for the
@oakridgeboys
and Mary and his daughters.
@joebonsall
@DARRICKK
@wlgolden
You would do the same for any one of us. If it’s less than 15 minutes, I have a feeling that the police will delay me even more!!!!! On the way home 3 deer and one Canadian wild goose crossed the road. Next time I will ride my elephant!!!!
@oakridgeboys
@joebonsall
My first call this morning was to Joe Bonsall. We tried to figure out how many years I have placed that same call to sing Happy Birthday to him, with a slide bass ending. Love you, Joe!!
I can’t write it now, the past four months have taken 16 people from my life. I cannot end a book filled with God’s blessings until I have at least had some time to understand the past four months. I am still asking God for divine direction. A part of me was taken too soon.
Hello, X and Twitter world. If you see this, I may be back on Twitter or X. I had over 30,000 followers before I could no longer get on. Please respond if you see this.
@DuaneAllen
It is kinda quiet around here today. Outside, it’s is messy, slow raining all day. I fed my dogs and put out the seed in the bird feeders. Christmas will be stretched out over four days this year. Lots of sports on tv.
Merry Christmas to all of you who follow me. Happy New Year!
Last night I started getting texts: “Are you up?”, Are you awake?” I was. That’s how I heard about the airplane crashing with 7 aboard, including members of the NELONS. Please pray for Autumn and all families. I am almost numb.
@oakridgeboys
My button doesn’t work that reads, “AND THEN, THINGS JUST GOT WORSE!!!”. In the past 3 1/2 months I have lost 9 family members, Oaks’ family members, or close personal friends.
@oakridgeboys
Rusty & I having one of our many talks. I was telling Rusty that the first album I recorded with the Oak Ridge Boys was in this same studio in ‘66. He was like another son to me. I loved him like one of my own. Rusty was one of the sweetest people I have ever met.
@oakridgeboys
Hello everyone. Happy Sunday to all of you!!! I am not sick. I have not retired. I stayed home this weekend to take care of a family member. I will be taping the Huckabee show this week and the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday.
@oakridgeboys
I have never been one to question God, and, I won’t start now. My faith in God has always been strong. My friends and family are holding me up in prayer. I pray for divine guidance and strength to help give me, and those of us who are hurting, some clear direction.
Thank you, Kelly. Living my life without Norah Lee is something I never thought about. Now, I can only do what I have always done and advised others to do—pray for divine guidance to help get me through these empty spaces and lonely places in my heart, my home, and my life.
@DuaneAllen32993
I had a thought last night after reading your post about hearing Norah Lee on the radio, and I wanted to share. Still praying for you!
@sharonainvegas
@oakridgeboys
Thank you. I feel the presence of God in all of this. And I appreciate those of you who pray for me, my children and grandchildren.
You are right, that second verse really breaks my heart to sing, but, that is the very reason I pick meaningful songs as my leads. Sometimes they apply to me.
A rough night. Tonight I practiced my vocals w/Fancy Free. I could not get
@DuaneAllen32993
out of my mind. I can't stop seeing in my mind, how Duane performed this song, recently. I seem to not be able to sing it, without thinking, what he must be feeling at this time.
😥 🩷
So, when someone said the other Oaks have written books & if I wrote one they would buy it, I posted, “That’s one”, then, it just kept going, reaching over 100 in around 24 hours just on Twitter. I just had fun with it. I hope you did, too. I don’t have the last chapter finished.
@oakridgeboys
Ok, Years ago, I would be talking to a fan. I might be singing or humming a line of some hit song. The fan might say, “if you record that, I would buy it.” Well, standing close enough to hear but under his breath an Oak would say, “ That’s one”!!! We would laugh!!!!
@oakridgeboys
I will wait, I will listen. I will follow, I will lead if that be God’s will. Just help me understand. For those of you who know me. Since God knows everything, many times, I pray as I type. Thank you, all of you, for your love and prayers.
The answer to that is simple. Joe wanted to continue singing into this year and for as long as he could. He did not wish to retire. His illness required him to retire. Joe was the ultimate trouper. He never complained about working. He worked until his body said it is enough.
@DuaneAllen32993
If Joe had been you, and still alive, would he desire to retire because you were called to Heaven?
I wonder if Joe could come back and give advice, if he'd advise you to keep on living, moving, singing, giving?!
A time of mourning is appropriate, but you're not done!
Jennifer, looking for the light when darkness surrounds me is the only way I can breathe. I pray that God shows me the paths He has for me now that my partner has moved to her new home. God must have a jealous side and wanted her to come home.
@DuaneAllen32993
You are one of the most genuinely positive, strong and determined people I know. I loved your post about hearing Nora. You always look for the light in the dark. I appreciate you and love you.
Yes, I got it, and I loved it. I studied classical music. Trump knew exactly what he was doing. Now, you do, too. Thanks, DR. Kek, for pointing this out.
@TobyKeith
came to see the
@oakridgeboys
&
@tanyatucker
in the early 80’s. We were at the Lloyd Noble Arena in Oklahoma City. He said that “BEAUTIFUL YOU” was his favorite song on radio & that he just had to hear it in person. Rest in peace, my friend, in the arms of JESUS.
@oakridgeboys
It’s not just a hint, the agency is putting dates in the book. Nobody wants to hang it up, yet. And there are many parts of the country and Canada that we have not been. We want to say thank you to the fans and friends who have supported us for decades.
@oakridgeboys
I don’t guess I have thought about it that much. I am too occupied doing things that keep me busy. People will think whatever they wish about me. I just want to live the rest of my life preparing to go to Heaven. I know I have had a life well lived, already.
@DuaneAllen32993
In a meeting this morning, we were asked a question that made me think. Interested in your thoughts on it.
We will all be remembered for something. How we live our lives determines what that is.
How do you hope to be remembered?
No. We will still be on our farewell tour, we just haven’t set an end date. We are just thankful for our blessings and want to get around to each major area that we can cover to say “thank you” to our fans and friends. God will show us when it is enough!!!
Sharing a verse
@joebonsall
has posted. Appropriate for me today as we find ourselves in Debbys path. 🙏
He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection (like a shield or a protective wall). Psalm 91:4
Kelly, I love songs that touch one’s heart. If I cannot own the message of the song, I won’t take the lead. There are many of those. But story songs like Y’all come Back Saloon, or Elvira, that helped pay off bills are very special. I love Amazing Grace because of the message.
@DuaneAllen32993
curious…Might be a hard question, but what is your favorite song? Not necessarily ORB, just in general.
Btw…You have an icebreaker question in a meeting this morning to thank for this. 🤣
@oakridgeboys
Yesterday, as I was reading through my messages, someone sent me the announcement of my wedding to Norah Lee Stuart. When I saw our ages I thought, we were just kids. Then, this song came up out of nowhere. I have always loved it.
I have always felt loved, Kelly. You get back what you give. I am all about love. I want people feeling much better when they leave our show than when they came in. If they do, I feel I have done my job.
@DuaneAllen32993
And this is just on X! At the rate you’re going, you’ll have a best seller!
If nothing else, you should feel very loved today!
You’re going to start writing tomorrow, right? 😉
Fred, you were great to work with, too. I always have appreciated the contributions you made to the Oak Ridge Boys and to Superior before the Oaks. This were huge days!!!!!
@oakridgeboys
My button doesn’t work that reads, “AND THEN, THINGS JUST GOT WORSE!!!”. In the past 3 1/2 months I have lost 9 family members, Oaks’ family members, or close personal friends.
Thank you, Mark. We all agreed to do just that. However, we had given our word that we would fulfill contracts that had been signed. We decided to keep our word and fulfill those contracts to say “thank you”. That is where we are today. God controls our future, not you, not me.
@DuaneAllen32993
@oakridgeboys
While I honor your will to go on, I feel when Joe retired, the entire group should have retired. 50 years is quite an accomplishment being one group. Been following you that entire time.
We were not able to go to major parts of our country. We wanted to say “thank you” to areas where we had not been. My three partners told me they wanted to continue working at least as much as we are doing in 2024. So that is what we are doing.
@DuaneAllen32993
Duane, the way I look at it, as long as y’all are still singing great, as long as y’all are able and enjoy singing and touring, I see no reason for y’all to retire yet.
I hope we all have time to make it a great year for all who seek it, work towards it, and believe in it. God gives direction to all who seek Him. I am trying to get out of His way so He can show me the way.
@joebonsall
@JurdnWilm
@IsaacsMusic
@oakridgeboys
Only God knows how much I needed to hear this tonight. I love the Isaacs. They put the finishing touches on this great song. I held it for over three decades until it would perfectly fit the album. Tears flowing!!!! Peace Within!!!!
BREAKING: James Woods Says, we need to pass a constitutional amendment declaring Election Day a national holiday, paper ballots may only be cast in person by American citizen registered voters who present government issued Voter ID.
Do you agree with James Woods?
YES or NO
Wishing a very Happy Birthday today to my lovely wife and best friend
@Tstritt
! We met in 1995 and have been together ever since. She gave me 3 beautiful children and introduced me to a family life I could have never imagined before. We’ve traveled the world together and shared
Thank you, Tyler. Joe had told us that he was going to do his best to make all of the Christmas dates. And, if he made Those dates, he would like to do as many as he could in 2024. That is the reason for going from 150 down to 50, and changing business models, to accommodate Joe.
@DuaneAllen32993
Duane, the way I look at it, as long as y’all are still singing great, as long as y’all are able and enjoy singing and touring, I see no reason for y’all to retire yet.
@oakridgeboys
Colleen, in 6 decades of singing in front of people we have performed in some doozies of places. Years ago, long before radio hits, you might have seen us on a trailer bed with just a piano, two microphones, four vocalists at a RV sales lot.
@RonFairchild
Thank you, Ron. As I say so often on stage, you are a genius. I could qualify that and list with these exceptions, but none would take away how I feel about you. You are like a little brother, or son, or just one of my weird friends. Take you’re pick. Now get you shine box.
@oakridgeboys
That’s impossible to imagine since I do not drink. We have been and still are the spokespersons for our National Anthem. It was embarrassing to see the drunk sing the National Anthem.
How did someone not notice she was drunk beforehand?
I can’t imagine
@DuaneAllen32993
stepping on any stage drunk, but especially not to perform something as special as the national anthem.
@oakridgeboys
Carol, I had always sang FANCY FREE with the writer’s mother in mind. However, after my Norah Lee left us, knowing how hard she tried to live, that second verse took on a whole new personal meaning to me. Sometimes, it chokes me up and I can’t help it.
@DuaneAllen32993
I have always left Oaks concerts smiling except in Dec in Dekalb, IL. After seeing energetic Joe struggling & looking so thin, I left in tears. In June we saw you w/Ben & my heart broke for you when you sang Fancy Free.💔💔
@oakridgeboys
It is so good to see all of the OAKS, The MIGHTY OAKS BAND, & all of our crew this week. We left home Thurs. afternoon for a date in Mashantucket, Conn. We will be at the American Music Theater tonight at 7 and tomorrow at 2pm. Thank you all for coming to our shows.
@oakridgeboys
Thank you all for the wonderful things you have said about Woody Wright and the Oak Ridge Boys. No one misses being on the road with the Oaks more than I do. Thank you, Woody!!!!!
Happy 70th Birthday to Ricky Skaggs! Here are some birthday wishes from Ricky's family, friends, fellow artists, band members and staff to celebrate this special day! We love you Ricky! - Team RS
BREAKING: Elon Musk Says, "I have discussed with Trump the idea of a government efficiency commission and I would be willing to be part of that commission."
Would you support Elon Musk serving in a Trump administration?
A. YES
B. NO
@oakridgeboys
@GaylordOpryland
Look who was out on the town!!!! Duane and Norah Lee Allen, Lily Isaacs, Sonja Isaacs, Darrell Worley, Ben Isaacs, Gene Ward, Becky Isaacs. What a wonderful Christmas show at Opryland Hotel!!!!!
@oakridgeboys
Ok, Years ago, I would be talking to a fan. I might be singing or humming a line of some hit song. The fan might say, “if you record that, I would buy it.” Well, standing close enough to hear but under his breath an Oak would say, “ That’s one”!!! We would laugh!!!!
It makes no difference what Howard Stern says. He needs to get his nose fixed. He is looking like BARBARA “STRI-SAND” as he ages. What’s up with the Afro, Bro????? Think that will ever come back in???? ‘Jes Kidd in’, you hear? Nincompoops is a funny word!!! “Morons” is funny,too
@oakridgeboys
Good question. It made
#1
on most charting stations but not on the same week. Broadcasting Magazine, that goes mainly to radio stations, went to
#1
, then
#2
, then back to
#1
. It was a career breaking record for us.
@jeffylou24
@joebonsall
@wlgolden
@RASterban
@oakridgeboys
ELVIRA comes to the top of the list on all of those questions. We knew it would be a hit when we cut it, just not how big. The first live performance brought a half dozen encores. We finally did a tribute video which will be released soon.
That’s 5. Jeanne, I did write a book in the early 70’s. It is out of print now. I was basically talking about writing a new book about my views of being in the
@oakridgeboys
for over 58 years. The other Oaks have written their views and I have supported their views of the group
@DuaneAllen32993
@oakridgeboys
Duane Allen
You know I would buy your book and I would buy 2 books for me and my brother I would love to read your book
I thought you already had a book out
Please let me know if you have a book out I am going to try to get it if you do
I love you my friend
Johnnie, the structure of all the music we use today started with Classical music. When I was going to college, that was all that was taught. Now, you can get a degree in many different forms, including bluegrass.
@DuaneAllen32993
I didn't know you studied classical music. Interesting. I've never known much about it. I have been singing country since I was really young. Love the old rock and roll, too.
I just got “the call” from my sister telling me that my father died peacefully in his sleep last night. 😢 His name is Rudy. He was 99 years old and a World War II veteran. There are probably only 118,000 left in the US and we lose 131 “greatest generation” per day.
RIP Pop.
I won’t say that Mozart was my favorite because I recognize several different classical composers that contributed greatly. However, I was in awe of Mozart and how he had so much going on in his head.