After more than four decades, the Oak Ridge Boys are still going at it and being successful, according to member Richard Sterban. He discussed the country music group, its projects and history during a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. The Oak Ridge Boys return to the Wagon Wheel Theatre Saturday at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $43, $51 and $59, according to the Wagon Wheel website. Sterban joined the group in 1972. “I was a big fan of the Oak Ridge Boys before I joined the Oak Ridge Boys,” he said. “When they called me up, I was excited.” Before joining the ORB in 1972, he was singing backup for Elvis Presley as a member of The Stamps Quartet, but Sterban had very little hesitation to join the Boys. “I willingly accepted the job. I told them I would think it over, talk to my family, but I knew I was going to take the job,” he said. Along with Sterban, the other Oak Ridge Boys members are William Lee Golden, Duane Allen and Joe Bonsall. Forty years ago, he said, the group had no idea it would become as successful as it has, nor last as long as it has. “I thought it had potential, but I didn’t know we’d get as big as we did not only in country but in the music business,” Sterban said. “Forty years – I had no idea. I was excited, but I had no idea we would accomplish all the things we’ve accomplished. And we show no signs of quitting. None of us have any plans to retire. We love what we are doing, and we enjoy what we do. The key to longevity is the creative process. We enjoy going into the studio and creating new music and reinventing ourselves a little.” Creating new music helps put new life and energy into the group and its shows, he said. Their shows include the hits their fans know and love, but also new songs. One of the Oak Ridge Boys’ most well-known song is “Elvira,” which hit the top of the charts in 1981. The 30-year-old song is featured on the group’s last album, “It’s Only Natural,” released through Cracker Barrel. Sterban said the song is a favorite and hit because it contains a lot of elements that make it commercial. It has a bass hook that’s a big part of its success, but people can sing along with it. Many people still sing it in karaoke. “There’s something infectious about it,” he said. “We re-recorded it for the ‘Natural’ CD we did for Cracker Barrel. They specifically request we add that song, it’s what they wanted.” The CD features seven familiar songs, including “Elvira,” and five new ones. Sterban said they negotiated with Cracker Barrel on what would go on the CD. The re-recorded version of “Elvira” was still sung like it had been, Sterban said, and sounds like the ORB, but the producer just freshened up the track and made it more contemporary. It’s less dated and has a nice sound to it, Sterban said. The other familiar songs on the “Natural” CD are songs the group hadn’t done in awhile and they thought it was time to bring them “out of the moth balls,” Sterban said. He said the Boys are happy with their association with Cracker Barrel. “It’s the largest selling CD we’ve had in many, many years,” he said. “It’s been a very successful association. They came up with the title. Cracker Barrel customers look a lot like our customers. They’re not only a great restaurant, but they produce and move a lot of music. It was so successful we’re going to do another one.” Sterban said they are planning a Christmas CD this year with Cracker Barrel. “I anticipate it’s going to be another great association for us. Cracker Barrel and Oak Ridge Boys is a natural association. They are very family oriented like us,” he said. Fans don’t have to wait until Christmas for a new Oak Ridge Boys CD though. A new album titled “Home Again” is coming out in a couple of weeks, Sterban said. It’s primarily a gospel album, with a bluegrass tilt and acoustical in nature. The Boys already have 130 tour dates booked this year, and Sterban said they’ll probably end up with 150 dates as they do every year.“We pride ourselves in very rarely doing the same show twice,” Sterban said. “We’re performing two shows Saturday and both will be different.” They’ll be old songs, as well as new ones on the stage. He said they’ll do as many hits as the group can, but try to squeeze in the new songs. There will be a little gospel, as well as some patriotic songs. “In general,” Sterban said, “a great night of family music. The show is kid-friendly. As we get older, we understand our fans are, too, so the show is good for parents and grandparents as well. It appeals to young adults.” Saturday’s two shows at the Wagon Wheel is not the first time the Oak Ridge Boys have performed at the theater. “We’ve been there several times,” Sterban said. “I don’t know that it’s a record, but we’ve been there many times over the years. It’s rare that we don’t come by. It’s an intimate setting, our fans love it and they treat us well there. We love playing there.” For more information, visit: Wagon Wheel Theatre, www.wagonwheeltheatre.org The Oak Ridge Boys, www.oakridgeboys.com
