1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:01,520 Speaker 1: The Michael Berry Show. 2 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 2: One of my favorite interviews over the years with the 3 00:00:04,320 --> 00:00:08,960 Speaker 2: Country Music Hall of Famer Oakridge Boy Richard Stourbin. He's 4 00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 2: the deep voice in your favorite Oakridge Boys songs. Real 5 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 2: skinny but a big, thick voice. You probably know him 6 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 2: for that thick voice of over forty years of your 7 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:24,639 Speaker 2: favorite songs, but I will tell you and some of 8 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 2: you will know him as the gentleman with the deep 9 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 2: voice who sang back up for Elvis. Yes, the team 10 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:36,519 Speaker 2: around Elvis, the Elvis coaching tree is amazing, but I 11 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 2: know him as my friend and he's a great guy. 12 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:43,200 Speaker 2: Enjoy this conversation from the archive with Oakridge Boy's own 13 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 2: Richard Stourbin. Richard Sturbin, the deep Voice of the Oakridge Boys, 14 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:52,960 Speaker 2: is our guest. I would like to begin our discussion 15 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 2: by cussing him out that it's taken me three and 16 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 2: a half years to get them to the Redneck Country Club. 17 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,800 Speaker 2: But I'm going to forgive you because I know it's 18 00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 2: the be a hell of a good show. Friday, April 19 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 2: fourteenth at the Redneck Country Club. Let's talk about the 20 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 2: Oakridge Boys. You guys, You guys are still out there 21 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 2: and you seem to be having a blast. I go 22 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:12,959 Speaker 2: on YouTube and I see and I follow you all 23 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 2: on Twitter forty years as this group tour, and then 24 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 2: we'll talk about the history. But I don't think you'd 25 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:20,280 Speaker 2: still be doing this if you weren't having fun. 26 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 1: Well, you're right, you know, we enjoyed doing what we do. 27 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: We look for every night when we're on the road. 28 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: We look forward to taking our music live on stage 29 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 1: to our fans and to our audiences. And we're still 30 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: having fun doing it, and I think that's important. You know, 31 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: we do not plan to retire anytime soon, because we 32 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: are enjoying doing what we're doing, and I think that's 33 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: one of one of the main factories, you know, for 34 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: our longevity. Knows, this combination has been together now for 35 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 1: forty three years, which is hard to believe. A couple 36 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 1: of the guys, William Lee Golden and Dwayne Allen, I've 37 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: actually been in the group for over fifty years. You know, 38 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: that's mind Bogglinne it is mind. 39 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: Let's talk about the history of this group, the core membership, well, 40 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 2: the group itself I guess dates back I read to 41 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 2: nineteen forty three, and the country group Wally Fowler and 42 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 2: the Georgia Cloud Hoppers in Knoxville, Tennessee. Can you kind 43 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 2: of bring us up to how that happened? 44 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,959 Speaker 1: Well, sure, during the Second World War, a group known 45 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 1: as the Georgia Cloud Hoppers, they would actually go to Oakridge, Tennessee, 46 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,520 Speaker 1: and they would entertain the people there who were working 47 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: on the development of the atomic bomb. It was called 48 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 1: the Manhattan Project, and people could not leave for security reasons, 49 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: so these guys would go and entertain them on a 50 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:48,000 Speaker 1: regular basis. As a result of going to oak Ridge 51 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 1: all the time, they decided to change their name to 52 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: the oak Ridge Quartet, and that group continued singing as 53 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: the oak Ridge Quartet, you know, for for a while, 54 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: you know, into the nineteen fifties. She sang on the 55 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 1: Grand Old Opery with Wally Fowler, you know, on Friday nights, 56 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: and I had for the gospel scene they had every 57 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 1: Friday night on the opera, and you know, the group 58 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 1: sang as the oak Ridge Quartet until about the middle 59 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 1: nineteen fifties. The group was then disbanded then reorganized as 60 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: the oak Ridge Boys. None of you know, none of 61 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 1: none of us are from that original reorganized review, you know. 62 00:03:31,480 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: William Lee Golden joined in nineteen sixty five, Dwayne Allen 63 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: in nineteen sixty six. I joined in nineteen seventy two, 64 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 1: and Joe Bonzel came one year after me in nineteen 65 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: seventy three. So the block, So we've been together since 66 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 1: nineteen seventy three. It's pretty it's pretty amazing. 67 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 2: It is amazing. So Bonzo is a new kid on 68 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 2: the block. 69 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: He's the baby. 70 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 2: Can you remind him of that? How did you come 71 00:03:59,320 --> 00:03:59,839 Speaker 2: into the group? 72 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: Pardon? 73 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 2: How did you come into the group? 74 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: Well, you know, believe it or not. Prior to joining 75 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: the Oak Ridge Boys, I was singing in a group 76 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 1: called J. D. Summoner and the Stanch Quartet, and I 77 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:15,360 Speaker 1: was actually singing with Elvis. I actually sanging with the 78 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 1: King of rock and roll, you know, and maybe it 79 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 1: was actually pretty exciting. It really was. 80 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 2: Well in that series. And your biography is from Elvis, 81 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 2: Elvis to Elvira, I think from. 82 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: Elvis to Elvi right exactly. But anyway, I was singing 83 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 1: with Elvis and I got a phone call one day. 84 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: William Lee Goldman called me up and he said that 85 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: they singer in the group was going to leave. Wanted 86 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: to get off of the road. He wanted to know 87 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: if I would be interested in the job, and you know, 88 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: there was very little hesitation on my part, even though 89 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 1: I was singing with Elvis. I was a big fan 90 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: of the oak Ridge of Boys. I wanted to be 91 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,119 Speaker 1: a part of the group. I felt like the group 92 00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: had a great deal of potential, and I don't think 93 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,120 Speaker 1: I realized quite how much the kendrel, but I felt 94 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:03,719 Speaker 1: like the group had had a great deal of potential 95 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 1: and I wanted to be a part of it. So 96 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 1: I joined the group. And a lot of people questioned 97 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: my decision. How could you leave Elvis, you know, to 98 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 1: join the overreadge Boys. But I really believed that I 99 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: was doing the right thing, and I think history has 100 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 1: proven that I made a pretty good decision right there. 101 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 2: I think you did. Richard Sturbin's guess from the Oakridge Boys, 102 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 2: I want to ask you about those Elvis years. There's 103 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 2: quite a group of you guys, You're Larry Gatlin, mac Davis, 104 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: Eddie Rabbit that came up writing and singing and backing 105 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 2: from Elvis. Uh, there's quite a lot of talent. I mean, 106 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 2: do you ever look at the alumni that came out 107 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:41,840 Speaker 2: of that era? And what they went on to do. 108 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 1: Well, it's pretty amazing, you know, I think. You know, 109 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 1: back then when I was with Elvis, he was probably 110 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 1: the biggest star in the world, and he influenced a 111 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 1: lot of people. And there's people all over the music 112 00:05:56,080 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: business today that are having successful career is writing and 113 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,799 Speaker 1: performing and whatever, you know, because of the influence of Elis. 114 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,599 Speaker 1: He influenced a lot of people, including myself personally. You know, 115 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: I had some of my fondest memories are standing around 116 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 1: a piano without the singing gospel song. You know. That's 117 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: what he loved to do. Even though even though he 118 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 1: was the king of rock and roll, I really believe 119 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 1: that his favorite music was gospel. 120 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,440 Speaker 2: Music and the only music I ever won a Grammy for. 121 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. 122 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,680 Speaker 2: Well, you guys, the Oakridge Boys were inducted in the 123 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 2: Gospel Music Hall of Fame in two thousand and gospel 124 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 2: has been a theme. I guess that precedes your involvement 125 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 2: in the band. 126 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 1: Right, Yeah. Absolutely. When I first joined the Oak Grade Boys, 127 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 1: the Oakridge Boys worry gospel group, singing strictly gospel music, 128 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 1: you know, and we then started to make a gradual 129 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:56,039 Speaker 1: transition from you know, from gospel into country, and you know, 130 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 1: in nineteen eight, seventy seven, we had our first country 131 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 1: hit song called y'all Come Back Salon. We started a 132 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:08,599 Speaker 1: chain reaction, you know, a string of number one hit records, 133 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 1: you know, culminated in nineteen eighty one with Elvira. 134 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 2: Of course, right nineteen seventy seven, y'all really hit it. 135 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 2: And I don't see a big change in what y'all 136 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 2: were doing. It's just sort of maybe the market was ready, 137 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 2: or maybe it was the label. What do you think 138 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 2: caused the Oakridge Boys to hit in seventy seven? 139 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 1: Well, I think the timing. I think you kind of 140 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: hit on it. I think the timing was just right. 141 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 1: You know there uh there was not. Well, I I'll 142 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: change it. I was going to say there was not 143 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: a four part harmony group in country music, but there 144 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 1: was the satelit about this kind of blaze is the 145 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 1: trail for us. I have to give them credit. They 146 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 1: kind of set the stage for what we were going 147 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: to do. But we came on the stage where, you know, 148 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 1: on a scene with our solid four part harmony, you know, 149 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: the Joe sang in the high center part, me singing 150 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:01,680 Speaker 1: the low pace at four part harmony, and it's an 151 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: unmistakable sound, you know, and I think I think that 152 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: the music industry was ready for it. You know, it's 153 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 1: kind of interesting. You know, I was watching the Awards 154 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 1: show the other night, and country music has certainly changed. 155 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 1: It's not like it was when we first came on 156 00:08:17,320 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 1: the scene. But you know, when we first came on 157 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:23,600 Speaker 1: the scene, we people were saying we were not country enough. 158 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 1: Now we are classic country. So so it's hard to figure. 159 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 2: Well, I will tell you the response we received to 160 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: your show coming up. Uh, I can tell you that 161 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:40,080 Speaker 2: whatever whatever genre you want to call it, it evoked 162 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 2: a lot of very happy memories. Because I have received 163 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 2: so many emails. I can't believe you're bringing the Oaks 164 00:08:45,240 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 2: to town. This is fantastic, this is wonderful, and I'm 165 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 2: personally excited. I get to I get to look like 166 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,400 Speaker 2: a hot shot to my mom, So you know, there's 167 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:57,800 Speaker 2: al and it's music that I can share with my 168 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 2: parents that we both equally love. Our guest is Richard Stourbin. 169 00:09:01,320 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 2: We're going to talk more to him in just a moment. 170 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 2: Stay tuned. Richard Stourbin of the Oak Ridge Boys coming up. 171 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 2: Our guest is Richard Stourbin, the deep voice of the 172 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 2: oak Ridge Boys. He's the one that does the parts 173 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 2: that you wish you could do, but your voice isn't 174 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 2: quite deep enough. I want to ask you about the 175 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 2: lead singer of the group, Richard. He's active on Twitter 176 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 2: and I kid with him on there sometimes and he's 177 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 2: quite an interesting cat. 178 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: Dwayne Allen, Hey sure is he lives on that computer. 179 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 2: He does. And what I'm most proud of is he's 180 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,439 Speaker 2: in the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He's in 181 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 2: the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and he's in 182 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 2: East Texas State University graduate. 183 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 1: A good Texas boy, he really is, you know, and 184 00:09:44,920 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 1: he's you know, he's the song guy in our group. 185 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:51,800 Speaker 1: You know. He spends a lot of time with publishers 186 00:09:51,840 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: and with songwriters around Nashville looking for hits, looking for 187 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,679 Speaker 1: great songs. And we're getting ready to go into the 188 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: studio and it's a record again here in July, and 189 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 1: he's busy right now looking for material. He's looking for music, 190 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:07,680 Speaker 1: and he's coming up with some pretty good songs. It 191 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: really is. 192 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 2: Well, let's take nineteen seventy seven and y'all come back Saloon. 193 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 2: What was who made the decision. How was that going 194 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:17,200 Speaker 2: to be the song you were going to record at 195 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 2: that point? 196 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: Well, you know, we Ron Chancey was our producer and 197 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,079 Speaker 1: he produced most of our number one hits, and he 198 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: actually found that song for us, And I remember that 199 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,560 Speaker 1: sitting in his office, and I remember the day he 200 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,959 Speaker 1: played the demo of that song. We looked at each 201 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: other and we went, Wow, this, I think this is 202 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 1: the song we've been looking for. You know. I think 203 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: that demo was so good. I thought I thought it 204 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: could have become a hit, you know. But we went 205 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:48,680 Speaker 1: into the studio and you know, put our touch to it, 206 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: you know, and it actually turned out pretty well, and 207 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:52,680 Speaker 1: it kind of set the stage for what was to 208 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 1: happen for us, you know, for several years to come 209 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 1: after that. 210 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 2: Did y'all ever wonder whether the concept of the harmony 211 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 2: would make it? Obviously that the Statler Brothers did, But 212 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 2: it feels like there was a point in time where 213 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 2: that harmony just kind of took off and that gave 214 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:10,440 Speaker 2: y'all such a unique sound in country music. 215 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:14,840 Speaker 1: Well, you're absolutely right, you know, there's something very unique 216 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: about the four voices singing together and harmonizing together. And 217 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 1: there's no mistake you know, when the Oakridge Boys come 218 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:25,840 Speaker 1: on the radio, you know, or or are you stick 219 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 1: a stick a you know, ciggy and your your SIGHI 220 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: player in the car or whatever, there's no mistaking that 221 00:11:33,280 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 1: when you hear that solid four part harmony, it is 222 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 1: the Oakreage Boys, it is us. We have a unique sound, 223 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: and you know, it really hasn't changed over the years, 224 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: you know, you know, we still do the kind of 225 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: singing the same way we did years ago. 226 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 2: I was reading in preparation for our discussion, and I 227 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 2: did not know that y'all contributed harmonies to uh Slip 228 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 2: Sliding Away by Paul Simon. 229 00:11:56,920 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: That is that is the first airplay that we ever 230 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: got on the radio. 231 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 2: Uh. 232 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: I remember, you know, Paul Simon calling us up, you know, 233 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 1: and and actually he actually flew us to New York 234 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 1: City and it was the first time into my life 235 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: I ever flew first class. He flew us first class, 236 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,720 Speaker 1: and we spent several days in the story. They're working 237 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:24,640 Speaker 1: with him, you know, he he's a perfectionist, and it 238 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 1: took several days for us to get that sound that 239 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 1: he wanted, you know, but uh uh we finally got it, 240 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: you know, and uh uh it turned out really well. 241 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 1: You know, we did not get any credit for being 242 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,839 Speaker 1: on that record. I do remember, you know, when that 243 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: that song was a hit on the radio, pulling up 244 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,680 Speaker 1: to a red light in my car and listening to 245 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: it on the radio and looking to the right of 246 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: wondering if the person next to me was also listening 247 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: to that same song, so that I felt like saying, hey, 248 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 1: that is us. 249 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, right, yeah, yeah, that's yeah, sure, but you know, 250 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 2: it's funny. I always asked this question Richard's Sturban's our 251 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 2: guest of the Oakrage Boys. I always asked this question, Richard, 252 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 2: And I guess maybe that's it. The first time you 253 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 2: hear yourself on the radio, and artists can always tell you. 254 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 2: I remember the first time I heard myself coming through the. 255 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 1: Radio, there's no question. And I also remember the first 256 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 1: time we ever saw our record on the jukebox. You know. 257 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:24,320 Speaker 1: We were in a truck stop, guess outside of Houston, 258 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: believe it or not, And we went into this truck 259 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 1: stop and we saw our record. We all come back 260 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: Saloon on the juke box and we just put back. 261 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:35,959 Speaker 1: Then you could play it for a quarter and put 262 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 1: we just poured quarters in there, sat there and listen 263 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 1: to ark. We listened to ourselves on the jukebox. 264 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 2: What a neat sound. I read that y'all do one 265 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty shows a year on the road. Is 266 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:48,199 Speaker 2: that right? 267 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 1: You are absolutely correct. We work a lot. We're very busy, 268 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: and that's the way we like it. We like working 269 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:01,000 Speaker 1: doing what we do, is I said earlier. And we 270 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 1: keep busy and some years it's even more than one 271 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:07,439 Speaker 1: hundred and fifty days, you know. But you know, we 272 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 1: don't plan this a low down We're not. We're not 273 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: the you know, young kids on the block in the loader. 274 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,200 Speaker 1: But we don't plan to retire, as I said earlier, 275 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 1: because we love doing what we do. 276 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 2: So when you get home and you're not on the road, 277 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 2: I mean, y'all have done thirty one studio albums, a 278 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:27,600 Speaker 2: live album, fourteen compilation albums, sixty three singles, seventeen of 279 00:14:27,640 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 2: which hit number one. That's a lot of studio time 280 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 2: as well. But when you're away from music, what do 281 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 2: you do? 282 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 1: What do you like to do? I am a huge 283 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 1: baseball thing. I love I love baseball. In fact, tonight 284 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 1: I plan to go I plan to go to the 285 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 1: Vanderbilt baseball game tonight here in Nashville. It's just it's 286 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 1: just my way of real life. Now. I love this sport. 287 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: I'm so excited. You know, yesterday was opening day and 288 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to the new season. 289 00:14:55,600 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 2: Well, I read the minor league baseball team, the Sounds, 290 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 2: that you and Conway and was it Larry Gatlin, Cole Smith, 291 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 2: Bill Anderson. There was a group of y'all that were 292 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 2: part of that team. I can't remember who all it was, 293 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 2: but that you were part of that ownership team, which 294 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 2: had to be a lot of fun. It was. 295 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 1: You know, for about thirty years, I was a part 296 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 1: owner of the Nashville Sounds. I am no longer an 297 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 1: owner of a few years ago we had an ownership 298 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: group that came in and bought us all out. But 299 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 1: they still allow me to act like I am an owner. 300 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: I can still go in there and act like I 301 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 1: own the place. So I can still go to I 302 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: can still go to batting practice, hang out with the players. 303 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 1: You get to know the coaches and the manager, and 304 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: you know, it's just like a hobby of mine, man, 305 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: and I just love it. 306 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 2: Do you ever take VP or you just hang out there. 307 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 2: Do you ever take BP? Do you ever take batting practice? 308 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: You know, I never have. 309 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 2: That's you know, if you're the owner, you should get 310 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 2: to do that. Even if you. 311 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 1: Watch every pitch. You're right, I should get a chance 312 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: to do that. 313 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 2: That would be a whole lot of fun. Tell me 314 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 2: about William Golden. 315 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 1: He is a character, to say the least. You know. 316 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 1: I don't know of anyone that has the ability to 317 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 1: interpret a lyric of a song and then take that 318 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 1: lyric and then communicate it to a crowd, to an audience. 319 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: He is a master of doing that, you know. And 320 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: I think the best example is when he does thank 321 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 1: God for Kids on our show. You know, you look 322 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 1: at in the audience and you see that what he's 323 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: doing is touching people, is moving people. You know, you 324 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,720 Speaker 1: see people holding hands, people hugging each other, people hugging 325 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: their kids. You know, you see people with tears in 326 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: their eyes. You can tell the song is actually touching people. 327 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: And I think it's because of his ability. He's a 328 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 1: storyteller long ways, and he can communicate that message to people. 329 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:06,719 Speaker 2: And I think that beard. You know, when I look 330 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:08,879 Speaker 2: at the four of you, you all look different. You 331 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 2: have different voices, and I think that's what makes the harmony. 332 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 2: It's that it's not duplicative. But that beard is. So 333 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:17,159 Speaker 2: if he ever, if he ever saved that off, I 334 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 2: don't know, it just wouldn't be right. 335 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 1: Well, you know, I don't think he ever would. I 336 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 1: think you know that there was a time and a 337 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 1: few years ago, but he was offered quite a bit 338 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: of money to shave it off and he refused to 339 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,520 Speaker 1: do it. You know, he said, that's you know, that's 340 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,000 Speaker 1: not him, but that's his look and he's going to 341 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: stick with it. 342 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think it's it's the Oakridge boys's look. 343 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 2: I mean, it's just it's the way it's supposed to. 344 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 2: I wish Joe Bonzil still had that big, you know 345 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:47,639 Speaker 2: afro that he had. Yeah, yeah, those were fun times. 346 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 2: Tell me about Joe Bonzel Oh. 347 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:53,240 Speaker 1: Now, he's mister energy. There's no doubt about it. You know. 348 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:56,720 Speaker 1: He he's like the spark plug for the group. First 349 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: of all, he's the spokesperson and he's very good at it. 350 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: He knows how to communicate with an audience. He knows 351 00:18:02,880 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: how to say just of light things. But he provides 352 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,719 Speaker 1: us with a spot which he's he's not a kid 353 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: any any longer either, but he's still is all over 354 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 1: that stage. He's up and down, you have a full 355 00:18:15,640 --> 00:18:20,160 Speaker 1: of energy, and you know, he's just a fun person 356 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:21,680 Speaker 1: to be around. I don't know what we would do 357 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:22,359 Speaker 1: without him. 358 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 2: Really, Richard, can you hold with me for one more segment? 359 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:26,719 Speaker 1: One more segment? Be fine? All right? 360 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 2: Richard Stourbin is our guest with the Oakrage Boys. More 361 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 2: coming up with him. We're talking to Richard Stourbin, who's 362 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,160 Speaker 2: agreed to stay around for one more segment, and we're glad. 363 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 2: He has a couple of questions I wanted to get 364 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 2: to because they're important. I wish, I wish Nashville, modern 365 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 2: Nashville would would adopt more of this I see in 366 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,959 Speaker 2: your shows. I see in the public statements y'all make. 367 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,920 Speaker 2: Patriotism is something that you take great pride in, and 368 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 2: I know your audience appreciates that. But I also sense 369 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 2: that it's important to y'all personally, our troops, our country 370 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 2: of a country. We can disagree, but do it agreeably. 371 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 2: How did that become such a part of y'all show? 372 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 1: Well, you know, I think I think it goes back 373 00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 1: to the way the four of us were raised. First 374 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 1: of all, the four of us are all raised in 375 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 1: Christian homes. We were taught right from wrong, and we 376 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 1: were all taught that, you know, we live in a country, 377 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 1: but if you work hard, good things can happen to you. 378 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: And and and so we appreciate the freedoms that we 379 00:19:26,960 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 1: have in this country. We really do. And so I 380 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:34,440 Speaker 1: feel like it's important for us to honor those freedoms 381 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 1: and just especially honor those people who are defending our freedoms, 382 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:42,200 Speaker 1: you know, at home here as well as abroad, and 383 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,880 Speaker 1: veterans are very very important. Does we honor the veterans 384 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 1: at every show? Because I think that's a very very 385 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:52,359 Speaker 1: important thing. Anyone who has sacrificed, you know, for our 386 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: country and for the freedoms that we have here, you know, 387 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 1: has a special place in our hearts, that's for sure. 388 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 2: You know, that brings me to another issue. And I 389 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,359 Speaker 2: don't know how much of that you want to speak to, 390 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:07,679 Speaker 2: but it feels like, you know, when I was growing up, 391 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 2: when y'all hit in seventy seven, I was seven years old, 392 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,320 Speaker 2: and my mom listened to you guys, and I've watched 393 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 2: your careers and as the guys that I grew up 394 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,080 Speaker 2: watching and continue to listen to their music. It seems 395 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 2: like their connection to their country and to their fans 396 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 2: has deepened, and particularly to a certain lifestyle and a 397 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 2: certain set of values. And I don't mean political, I 398 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 2: mean more cultural. Respecting your parents, respecting your spouse, being 399 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 2: a good parent. And it feels like that's I don't 400 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:40,560 Speaker 2: sense that out out of the younger country, and I'd 401 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 2: like to more. Do you feel that way or is 402 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 2: that just me being an old curmudgeon? 403 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:50,680 Speaker 1: You know, it's difficult to say, you know. You know, 404 00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 1: I watched the Award Show the other night, and you know, 405 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:56,800 Speaker 1: it's one hundred. Music has certainly changed, is certainly a 406 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,240 Speaker 1: lot different than when we were we first came on 407 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 1: the scene, you know, but it's hard. I would hate 408 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:04,640 Speaker 1: to speak for these For these people, I don't really 409 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,399 Speaker 1: know what their values are, you know. I just hope 410 00:21:07,680 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 1: that they do the right thing, you know, and treat 411 00:21:11,119 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 1: people right and are kind of you know, the families 412 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:19,000 Speaker 1: you know, and the people that work for them. Yeah, 413 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 1: And I just hope they do the right thing. I 414 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 1: really do. 415 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:24,400 Speaker 2: When you look back over a career of forty years 416 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,120 Speaker 2: of touring with three guys, you spent as much time 417 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 2: with them as you have your own spouse or any 418 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:33,480 Speaker 2: anyone else. What's a couple of memories that you look 419 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 2: back and go, boy that I mean, obviously, I know 420 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:37,719 Speaker 2: the Country Music Hall of Fame has to be one 421 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 2: of those. But what are a couple of those moments 422 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 2: that really stick out to you? 423 00:21:41,680 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: Well, you know, first of all, I think one of 424 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,440 Speaker 1: the reasons we've been around for so long is because 425 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: we have a great respect for each other. You know, 426 00:21:50,280 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 1: each guy in the group is different, Each guy brings 427 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 1: something different to the table, and we respect that between 428 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,080 Speaker 1: the four of us, and I think that I think 429 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: we realize it's a long time ago that we need 430 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 1: each other. So we pulled together as a true team 431 00:22:05,119 --> 00:22:08,720 Speaker 1: you know, where we're you know, a true brotherhood, we 432 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 1: really are. And like you said, probably the ultimate was 433 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 1: being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. That 434 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:19,680 Speaker 1: it's difficult to find words to describe how special that 435 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: whole thing was to us and still is, you know. 436 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 1: And uh, you know, like you know, when you look 437 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 1: at the Country Music Hall of Fame and you look 438 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 1: at people who are in the Country Music Hall of Fame, 439 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:36,720 Speaker 1: people like Elvis, people like Johnny Cash, you know, people 440 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:40,880 Speaker 1: like George Jones, you know what, you know, the late 441 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 1: Merle Haggard, you know, for the Old Bridge Boys. To 442 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:46,440 Speaker 1: be a part of that group, to be a part 443 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 1: of that family is such a tremendous honor. It really is, 444 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:52,919 Speaker 1: and it's hard to find words to describe how special 445 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:55,960 Speaker 1: it is. Uh. The only other thing that I can say, 446 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 1: you know, that maybe comes close to that is being 447 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: inducted into the Operator. That was also that was also 448 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:07,440 Speaker 1: a very special thing for us. Little Jimmy Dickens when 449 00:23:07,480 --> 00:23:10,280 Speaker 1: he was still alive. He's the one that actually inducted 450 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 1: us into the Grand Old Operator. And that's another very 451 00:23:14,200 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: special family of people that is just a tremendous honor 452 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,280 Speaker 1: to be a part of. So that's certainly a highlight 453 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 1: of our career. 454 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 2: As well well, and it should be, and it's well deserved. 455 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 2: And I know that there are a lot of guys 456 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 2: that would love to have that honor and haven't had 457 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:33,000 Speaker 2: it yet. I always asked this question, and I asked 458 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 2: it of Charlie Daniels, and I was shocked by the answer. 459 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:38,920 Speaker 2: I asked people about the artist that you were a 460 00:23:39,040 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 2: fan of that then became a fan of yours. And 461 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:43,960 Speaker 2: he told me a story about getting to play session 462 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 2: guitar with Bob Dylan for one song that was part 463 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:49,520 Speaker 2: of his deal, and when he went to put his 464 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 2: stuff up in his box in his case, Bob Dylan 465 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 2: reached over to the producer and said, where's he going? 466 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,200 Speaker 2: He said, well, your session musicians are outside. He not 467 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 2: your session musician. We just let him play on one song. 468 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 2: And he said no, no, no, no, he stays and plays. 469 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:07,639 Speaker 2: And Charlie said, you know, that's to this day, the 470 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:10,119 Speaker 2: fact that Bob Dylan was a fan not of my singing, 471 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 2: but of my guitar, and not of my fiddle plan, 472 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 2: but of my guitar plan. He said, I still wear 473 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 2: that as a badge of honor. Is there somebody that 474 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:19,639 Speaker 2: you were a huge fan of that you remember one 475 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 2: day them saying wow, I'm a big fan of yours 476 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 2: and it blew your mind. 477 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:29,920 Speaker 1: Well, you know, I think person probably comes at the 478 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:32,880 Speaker 1: top of that list for all the Oakridge Boys would 479 00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:35,920 Speaker 1: have to be Johnny Cash. You know, Johnny. I don't 480 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:39,520 Speaker 1: think there'd be an Oakreridge Boys today if it wasn't 481 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 1: for Johnny Cash. Years ago, we were kind of struggling 482 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,639 Speaker 1: along and starving, and Johnny Cash kind of took us 483 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 1: under his wings. He put us on his show. He 484 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 1: actually paid us more money than we were worth. But 485 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:56,879 Speaker 1: more than the money you know, well, you know, you 486 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:03,840 Speaker 1: know were his words encouragement. You know that. I remember 487 00:25:03,960 --> 00:25:05,679 Speaker 1: we had a meeting with him one time. We were 488 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:09,439 Speaker 1: playing in Las Vegas. He said, fellas, come on up 489 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:11,359 Speaker 1: to my room. I want to talk to you. Guys. 490 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: I can tell your heads are hanging and I want 491 00:25:14,560 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you. And so we went 492 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,159 Speaker 1: to his room and he said, he says, I can 493 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:21,160 Speaker 1: tell you guys are struggling and you're thinking about maybe 494 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 1: giving up, you know, And we were we didn't have 495 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:26,639 Speaker 1: any other days. We didn't know how we were going 496 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 1: to stay together. But he said, listen to me. He said, 497 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:35,720 Speaker 1: you guys have to find a way to stay together. 498 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:40,160 Speaker 1: He said, If you will find a way to stay together, 499 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 1: he says, I promise you that good things are about 500 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:46,160 Speaker 1: to start happening to you. Guys. He said, there's something 501 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:48,639 Speaker 1: very special at the four of you, and if you 502 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,560 Speaker 1: give up now, you know, people are never going to 503 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:54,479 Speaker 1: realize how special you guys are, and you're never going 504 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:57,960 Speaker 1: to realize your dream. So find a way to stay together. 505 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:00,800 Speaker 1: I promise you you're going to make These things are 506 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:03,720 Speaker 1: going to happen to you. And I remember walking out 507 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:06,720 Speaker 1: of that meeting with Johnny Cash with our heads raised 508 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:09,720 Speaker 1: up high. We all said to each other, Wow, if 509 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: Johnny Cash thinks we're going to make it, we are 510 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 1: going to make it. And sure enough, you know, not 511 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:17,960 Speaker 1: too long after that, we came in contact with Jim 512 00:26:18,080 --> 00:26:21,639 Speaker 1: Halsey who became our manager, who is still our manager today, 513 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:27,040 Speaker 1: and he got our first record contract with ABC Dodd Records, 514 00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: which then became MCA Records. He acquired you know, Ron 515 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: Chancey to be our pretentip and great things started happening 516 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,680 Speaker 1: to us, you know. And it was just a few 517 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:40,000 Speaker 1: years later that we won our first CMA warning this 518 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 1: Vocal Group of the Year, and Johnny Cash happened to 519 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:48,959 Speaker 1: be posting the show and they when they announced us, 520 00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: you know, as winners of the book. Instead of running 521 00:26:52,640 --> 00:26:55,000 Speaker 1: up I mean to the left side of the stage 522 00:26:55,040 --> 00:26:57,600 Speaker 1: and accepting our awards, we ran over to where Johnny 523 00:26:57,680 --> 00:27:00,440 Speaker 1: Cash was. We all ran over there, we ugg him 524 00:27:02,119 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 1: and he said, see bellas I told you so so 525 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 1: so so, you know, I don't like I said, I 526 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 1: don't think there would the Oakridge Boys. They you know 527 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: it wasn't for Johnny Cash. Wow. 528 00:27:12,119 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 2: That gives me chill bumps. Well, I promised you I 529 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:17,280 Speaker 2: wouldn't keep you any longer, Richard Sturban. I appreciate your time. 530 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:19,400 Speaker 2: I look forward to seeing you at the Redneck Country Club. 531 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:20,680 Speaker 2: It's going to be a real thrill for me. 532 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 1: Well well, Michael, and thank you for giving me a 533 00:27:23,680 --> 00:27:25,800 Speaker 1: chance to talk to you and to your fine listeners. 534 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 1: And uh, you know, I can speak for all the 535 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:30,840 Speaker 1: Oakridge Boys, and I can tell you we're looking forward 536 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 1: to coming your way and we're going to have a 537 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:34,560 Speaker 1: great time. We're going to do all the hiss that 538 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:37,400 Speaker 1: you expect to hear. We're gonna get so in some gospel, 539 00:27:37,480 --> 00:27:39,760 Speaker 1: we're going to do some patriotic music and just a 540 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:42,399 Speaker 1: great family show, you know. So come on out and 541 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 1: you know, spend some time with the Oakreage Boys. 542 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:47,360 Speaker 2: There will be three generations of the Berry family there 543 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:48,800 Speaker 2: to enjoy the evening. 544 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:51,119 Speaker 1: So thank you, Richard, thank you, Michael. 545 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:53,520 Speaker 2: There you have it, Richard Sturban of the Oakridge Boys. 546 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 2: You know AM Radio AM Radio back in the day 547 00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:03,280 Speaker 2: was the original FM came along much later, and FM, 548 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:07,680 Speaker 2: as we've talked about before, is a much tighter signal. 549 00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:12,000 Speaker 2: It's a purer signal, it's a cleaner signal, and it's 550 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:18,760 Speaker 2: frankly better suited to sorry to listen to listening to music. 551 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:26,560 Speaker 2: But the AM dial is how much of our listening audience, 552 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:29,680 Speaker 2: particularly the over forty and especially the over fifty crowd, 553 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 2: grew up listening to radio. So I always I don't 554 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:35,200 Speaker 2: know if anybody cares or they think I'm stupid. A 555 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:37,760 Speaker 2: lot of radio programmers tell me to quit playing to 556 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:41,120 Speaker 2: damn much music and talk. But music is a big 557 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 2: part of my life, and I had a very happy childhood, 558 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:49,120 Speaker 2: and I think that because I have such fond memories 559 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 2: of my own childhood, I like to revisit it on occasion. 560 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:56,400 Speaker 2: And I do that with music, and I do that 561 00:28:56,520 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 2: with sport. I go back to Earl will run into 562 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 2: football for the Houston Orders, or Dan Pasterini throwing deep 563 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 2: bombs or bum Phillips being the coach, or Nolan Ryan pitching, 564 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 2: and you know, those are very fond memories from me. 565 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:15,440 Speaker 2: So I know some of you get aggravated. I hear 566 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:18,920 Speaker 2: from you, and we all hear from you that it's 567 00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:22,120 Speaker 2: too damn much music, but that's why I do it. 568 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 2: It takes me back to a very good place, and 569 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:27,680 Speaker 2: so that's what I like to do. Through the end 570 00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:31,280 Speaker 2: of this segment, I hope you'll indulge me an incredible career, 571 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:38,440 Speaker 2: the Oakridge Boys, an incredible career, and some of the 572 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:41,080 Speaker 2: nicest guys you ever want to talk to. And I 573 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:43,160 Speaker 2: encourage you for those of you that are on Twitter, 574 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:46,640 Speaker 2: all four of them are on Twitter, Dwayne Allen, Richard Sturbin, 575 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:50,840 Speaker 2: Joe Bonzel, and William Lee Golden, and for our listening audience, 576 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 2: I think that you will find that you enjoy their politics. 577 00:29:53,040 --> 00:29:56,480 Speaker 2: How about that. I'll say that if you like Michael 578 00:29:56,520 --> 00:30:01,120 Speaker 2: Berry Show in podcast, please tell one friend and if 579 00:30:01,160 --> 00:30:07,080 Speaker 2: you're so inclined, write a nice review of our podcast. Comments, suggestions, questions, 580 00:30:07,280 --> 00:30:11,080 Speaker 2: and interest in being a corporate sponsor and partner can 581 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,600 Speaker 2: be communicated directly to the show at our email address, 582 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 2: Michael at Michael Berryshow dot com, or simply by clicking 583 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:24,800 Speaker 2: on our website, Michael Berryshow dot com. The Michael Berry 584 00:30:24,880 --> 00:30:29,000 Speaker 2: Show and Podcast is produced by Ramon Roeblis, The King 585 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:39,160 Speaker 2: of Ding. Executive producer is Chad Knakanishi. Jim Mudd is 586 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:45,560 Speaker 2: the creative director. Voices Jingles, Tomfoolery and Shenanigans are provided 587 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:51,120 Speaker 2: by Chance McLain. Director of Research is Sandy Peterson. Emily 588 00:30:51,240 --> 00:30:57,560 Speaker 2: Bull is our assistant listener and superfan. Contributions are appreciated 589 00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:02,840 Speaker 2: and often incorporated into our production. Where possible, we give credit, 590 00:31:02,920 --> 00:31:06,440 Speaker 2: where not, we take all the credit for ourselves. God 591 00:31:06,560 --> 00:31:12,000 Speaker 2: bless the memory of Rush Limbaugh. Long live Elvis, be 592 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:16,240 Speaker 2: a simple man like Leonard Skinnard told you, and God 593 00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:21,560 Speaker 2: bless America. Finally, if you know a veteran suffering from PTSD, 594 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 2: call Camp Hope at eight seven seven seven one seven 595 00:31:27,560 --> 00:31:32,000 Speaker 2: PTSD and a combat veteran will answer the phone to 596 00:31:32,160 --> 00:31:33,400 Speaker 2: provide free counseling.