The Oak Ridge Boys- Live at the Florida Strawberry Festival (02/29/2024)

Hey guys. So after seeing the Oak Ridge Boys for the first time back in January of last year at the Villages, I finally had the opportunity to see them again for the second (but sadly last) time as part of their “American Made” Farewell Tour. So the biggest (and only) disappointment about this concert was that Duane Allen was unable to be there due to family business. With that being said, I’d be completely lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy and cherish this show. So because Duane was unable to show up for this concert, Woody Wright (who’s best known for his appearances with Bill Gaither) was called to fill in for the occasion. I think he did a really good job filling in for Duane, his voice was definitely suitable for playing its part in those Oak Ridge Boy harmonies. Speaking of harmonies, those were also very solid throughout most of the show, with all four of the guys doing what they do best. This was also my first time seeing Ben James, who replaced Joe Bonsall on tenor after he announced his retirement back in January. I gotta say that he did a really good job as well, singing those high parts the same way Joe would, he definitely deserves recognition for being able to fill in for a tenor like Joe, while also making it his own at the same time. Of course it was great seeing William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban again, both of which I think sounded really good for this concert (like they always do). William still played his part very solidly throughout the show (which is especially impressive given his age of 85 years old). Last but not least we have Richard. Last time I saw the Oaks, Richard wasn’t doing too well due to an unfortunate arm injury. Because of that, he didn’t exactly do a whole lot of lead singing (besides Elvira) and you couldn’t hear him as well as the others. However with this concert, it’s the complete opposite since Richard is doing much better now and it definitely showed in his singing. Dream On is the biggest example of that in my opinion, but Richard sang exceptionally well throughout the show. All in all, I had such a great time seeing them again, despite the fact that this will most likely be the last time I’ll get to see them so it’s a fairly bittersweet experience at the same time. With that being said, I gotta give a shoutout to Joe, Duane, William, and Richard, for all the wonderful music they’ve made over the years. Also a shoutout to Ben James and Woody Wright for filling in for Joe and Duane respectively, you guys are great as well. If any of you guys see this video, all I can say is thank you for everything. Enjoy!
Setlist:
0:00: Everyday
04:58: American Made
07:15: You’re The One
09:52: Dream On
13:20: Y’all Come Back Saloon
17:05: Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight
20:01: Trying to Love Two Women
22:38: Back Home Again
28:14: I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes
32:20: Elvira
35:49: Bobbie Sue

[@donnakytle6595]

I saw them recently in Gainesville Georgia, at Bourban Brother's. Their show was fantastic. It was a sellout crowd. My husband and I took our children and spouse's, and two friends with us .People were singing along,lots standing ovations.GodBless Oak Ridge Boys following them since 1970s.Missed you so much Joe,take care of youself.Prayers for Duane,and family.Took my son to see Oak Ridge Boys to Lanierland in Cumming Ga.at age 3 in 1983,he stood in his chair and sang along.When they called children to stage ,he was first out of his seat.He has always followed them.God be with OakRidge Boys,bless and keep them safe,during their Final Tour,let them know how much you appreciate them!!!

[@JohnnyManThan]

So glad you got to see them a couple times! Those shows do sound fantastic!

[@donnakytle6595]

I have been to many of their concerts, I have been ,so blessed to go.Thanks so much.

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

Prayers for duane allen and his family 👪 and also for joe and his family 👪 🙏 💙 ❤

[@JohnnyManThan]

They posted pictures from one of their more recent concerts on Instagram. Luckily Duane wasn’t away for too long!

[@artross9836]

What is the matter with Duane?

[@JohnnyManThan]

@@artross9836 So unfortunately now we know that Duane most likely wasn’t at this show because he was with his wife, who sadly passed away not too long ago on Easter morning

[@artross9836]

@@JohnnyManThan I just heard the news. I’ve known these guys since 1970. When Joe had his own group in buffalo. So sad. My goodness Nora Lee did such a great job at the Opry. Very sad

[@larryjohnson5970]

The oak ridge boys are my childhood favorite. I was there live this event. When they are done, they will be missed. To whom post this video, thank you.

[@JohnnyManThan]

You’re very welcome!! It was great seeing them again!

[@ericammerman6606]

Woody Wright did a great job filling in for Duane.

[@JohnnyManThan]

Yes he did! Very good singing on his end!

[@glenngoins3100]

You guys have still got it!! And the new singer is good too. Little different style but he's good! Love yall❤

[@michaelcobb1551]

Woody did a fantastic job filling in for Dewayne "the Ace" Allen

[@JohnnyManThan]

Yes he did!! Takes a really good singing voice to fill in for a lead like Duane!

[@brianmccarthy8732]

I think it’s a shame that Joe wasn’t able to make it one more year. His energy on stage was amazing. For 49 years he shows his enthusiasm for what he loved to do. Unfortunately it appears his battery died a little too early. I wish Joe and his family all the best. And my respect goes out to Duane and his family for their loss.

[@Mark-vx7vf]

Thank you Joe Bonsall! RIP

[@Oaksfan]

Rip Joe💔

[@JohnnyManThan]

@@Oaksfan Terribly missed 💔

[@sophiewaters9905]

Very sad news! Wonderful people!

[@BackupChannel12]

I read your thing about the oaks, which was very nice! Richard is doing a lot better Healthwise! His voice is a lot better too! He has his nights though, which may have been this night, but still was pretty good! Love them all so much!

[@JohnnyManThan]

Thanks for the comment! I feel the exact same way! Richard sounded great this time around!

[@BackupChannel12]

@@JohnnyManThan kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3SVfJpsfZ2UsNEsi=Nw-JbXMx2U2A9CSd is a great example when Richard was at his best, this was last Christmas.

[@JohnnyManThan]

@@BackupChannel12 I agree! Always wanted to go see one of their Christmas shows

[@mikefournier2601]

We are all going to mis them .but we had them here for over 50.55 years an that's a good long time to have a group that we loved so much .we can still see an here them on DVD CD s thank God for the ock s 👍🙏🙏🙏🙏👍

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

Love this 🎵 🎶

[@mikefournier2601]

They have a right to retire after all them yearz .an enjoy live

[@JohnnyManThan]

100% Agree!!! They’ve done so much for us fans over the years!

[@PaulaKWidener]

I had listened to the oak ridge boys ever since I was a teenager my mom had bought me their tapes and the song that I love of there's the most is Elvira

[@JohnnyManThan]

That is so cool!! Bet those tapes were a lot of fun to listen to!

[@rebeccad5988]

❤. Thank you

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

The oaks h ave been appearing here for a long time

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

Not the same without joe

[@MonsterMidi]

Doesn't seem like William Lee Golden could hear his in ear mix very well... pretty bad off key at the beginning and other places in the show. And also sounds like the band dropped a bar or two in the music at the end of Dream On leaving Richard Sterban no where to go... he still had one more lyric to do, and he tried to keep it together and did the best job he could have, considering the band had no idea how to end the song... or where they were in the end. I have always loved them so!

[@JohnnyManThan]

Truthfully, I felt kinda the same way when they finished Dream On, like “Oh ok that’s one way to end a song” haha

[@MonsterMidi]

@@JohnnyManThanyeah... what ever you do... FOLLOW RICHARD! He's sang this song for about 45 years... I think he might no how it ends! Hahahaha! I do find it strange, and wonder how the band all made the mistake of the dropped lyric at the same time? Like the song was written that way and Richard Sterban made the mistake... because truly, the song doesn't end the way the band tried to end it... it looks like the bass player is the music director... so maybe he gave an instruction thru their in ears saying "ok, ... end it!... dream on"...And they just fell into "that gear" without thinking, "what about richard's final lyric?" Make sense to you??

[@beatapt5]

They haven't really sounded good for a while. Age catching up.

[@zane_swaldo]

Yeah, I’m not sure what the band did there. They left him hanging.

[@BackupChannel12]

I’ve watched it over and over, and at the end of dream on the rest of the guys messed up, they didn’t do their part, which messed up Richard, and made him think they weren’t at the end yet. Right after they seem to light your way. The rest of the guys were supposed to sing the lyrics dream on easy times, then Richard does it thing goes real low

[@butchpage2334]

What happened to Ron Fairchild on keyboards?

[@JohnnyManThan]

Truthfully I don’t know. Tried looking up videos or anything online but there’s really no explanation that we know of

[@butchpage2334]

Thanks

[@rebeccabledsoe4550]

Song

[@zane_swaldo]

I hate to say it because he’s very talented, but I just don’t think Ben blends very well with the other guys. Good singer, just not the best fit for the Oaks. They do better with a strong tenor singer like Joe or Willie Wynn

[@JohnnyManThan]

I respect your opinion, plus it ain’t easy replacing a tenor like Joe. Really unfortunate he had to retire even though it’s for the better

[@99travman]

Can never replace the sound of a long time member but everything I've heard with Ben he's filled in about as well as anyone could on short notice. There was a time Steve Sanders replaced William Lee Golden and the songs they had recorded with him just didn't sound the same with Steve singing them. I doubt they will do this but it would be awesome if they passed the ORB brand onto a new generation of singers as the guys retire. Would be fun to hear these classic songs and sound continue on for years to come much like Joe Duane WL and Richard were not original members themselves. I get they are then longest running configuration of the group and recorded the hits that made the ORB what they are but would be unique to keep the 4 part sound going with a new set of guys.

[@JohnnyManThan]

@@99travmanI agree! It’d be great to have a new lineup of singers carry on the Oaks legacy for future generations to enjoy. Though it’d also be a matter of whether or not people would be willing to pay to see said group that wouldn’t consist of Joe, Duane, William, and Richard. Personally I’d totally pay haha

[@MissDaisyDuke01]

@@JohnnyManThan Hey, I'd audition to do an "Oak Ridge Girls" doing the boys' repertoire. I would audition for Bass. Can do Contralto Profundo. One can only Dream On.... ;)