After 35 Well Deserving Years, Meet the Newest Members of the Grand Ole Opry: The Oak Ridge Boys

I just got wind of the news that my 4 favorite guys on the planet, Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban (The Oak Ridge Boys) were FINALLY asked to become members of the Grand Ole Opry tonight by Little Jimmy Dickens. He asked them while dressed as William Lee Golden. It might have been a pint sized invitation but the value of it was larger than you could ever imagine. As a fan for 30 years, this is a moment I've been waiting to hear and I'm so glad I finally got to hear it. There are no more deserving guys than these four, they've worked so hard for the past 35 years and have brought happiness to millions of fans with their wonderful music, their love of their fans, their dedication and appreciation. Congratulations guys, you're Opry legends!!! Thank you for starting it all off for me with Elvira. Love you all so much! Here is the official press release -

OAK RIDGE BOYS INVITED TO JOIN GRAND OLE OPRY

Formal Induction to Take Place August 6

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (July 8, 2011) - 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 6^thto 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.