August 6, 2024 • 29 mins
What a guy! The Oaks are in the middle of their farewell tour, and we got a chance to talk with Richard Sterban, that world-famous bass voice that helped to forge their signature sound!
Richard came to the Oak Ridge Boys from a job working as a backup singer for Elvis Presley, and boy does he share some great stories with us! ...and about his time with the Oaks, the story of Elvira, what this tour means to him and the guys, and much more!
Richard came to the Oak Ridge Boys from a job working as a backup singer for Elvis Presley, and boy does he share some great stories with us! ...and about his time with the Oaks, the story of Elvira, what this tour means to him and the guys, and much more!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good morning, Q and O two. Who's this is this?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Chris Mitchel?
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Yes it is, and that unmistakable bass boys could only
belong to one person.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Richard Sturman, Well, it is definitely me.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
I cannot believe as I'm sitting here in this studio
as I have for twenty four years now, I can't
believe I'm actually talking to you. This is amazing for me.
I hope you don't mind. I'm going to fanboy out
a little bit because I have been a big fan
for years and years and to have the honor of
interviewing you now that you guys are in the home stretch,
you're doing your final tour, it's a real pleasure. Richard,
(00:40):
Welcome to this show. It's good to have you with us.
Where are you calling from this morning?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, I am actually calling you from home. Will All
the Oakridge Boys live in a place called Hendersonville, Tennessee,
which is basically Nashville. It's a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee,
and so I'm going here from home. It's an honor
for me to be able to talk to you as well.
It certainly is, and I'm excited about talking to you
(01:06):
and all your fine listeners sat there, you know, and
the fact that you're promoting the fact that we're coming
your way is something that I personally appreciate. And I'm
speaking for all the oa Bridge boys. We thank you
for doing.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
This well, thanks a lot. Yeah, you guys. This is
going to be a sellout. It almost is already. If
there are any seats left, they're going to go quickly.
But I don't think that there are. Actually I think
they're almost completely sold out. This is going to be
at the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival in in Orkney Springs.
Just the most perfect place to have a concert, and
(01:40):
it's intimate and yet there can be a large crowd.
It's a lot like wolf Trap in that way. I
think everybody's going to enjoy it. And again that's August seventeenth.
Do you want to see if there's still tickets left?
Link is right there at Chris andlorishow dot com. So, Richard,
I want to talk to you about a lot of things,
so many things. I sat down. I thought, oh, man,
I've got questions. I don't know where to start, but
(02:01):
I would really like to start. A lot of people know,
but not everyone knows that you got your start, you
began singing with Elvis Presley, which is just unbelievable. You know,
I don't want to spend too much time talking about Elvis,
but I do have to ask you some questions because
he endures and will be, I think probably forever one
(02:23):
of the most famous entertainers in human history, and you
were part of that. So what was your experience like
working with Elvis?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Well, you're absolutely correct. You know, for about two years,
just prior to joining the Oakridge Boys, I sang in
a group called j D. Summner and the Stamps Quartet.
And you know, I think I happened to be in
the right place at the right time when I joined
JD and the Stamps. I was only there for just
a few months when j D. Sumner got a phone
(02:53):
call from Elvis, and A and Elvis were friends. They
both are from Memphis, and Elvis was looking to hire
a new backup group and the group he had called
the Imperials at a conflict, so he had to hire
a new backup group, so he hired JD and the
samsu Here. I was, you know, a young guy in
my twenties. All of a sudden, I found myself on
(03:16):
stage with the biggest star in the world back then,
you know, Elvis was he was by far the biggest
star in the world. His tour was the biggest tour
in the music business, and it was very exciting to
be a part of it. You know, I have some
great memories of the times I've spent with Elvis. I
did get to know him just a little bit, and
(03:36):
it was a great time in my life. It really was.
And you know, and now that a lot of time
has passed and I look back on that, you know,
I'm glad that I was able to experience that because
it really was a special time and in my life,
no question about it.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Well, I mean, were you intimidated when you got hired
as a backup singram? I mean, my gosh, I know
I can sing, but that's Elvis standing there, right. How
did that? What was that like?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Well, it was it was mind boggling. You know, I'll
never forget the first time I ever met Elvis, you know,
when we found out that we were going to be
singing with Elvis, and then then we were informed that
we had to obviously rehearse, you know. So so the
tour was going to start in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I
(04:21):
remember all loll Stamps Court, we all went up to
Minneapolis and we were we reported to the ballroom there
at the hotel where we were going to have a rehearsal,
you know. But and everyone was there. The TCB band
was there, Elvis's band, the Swede Inspirations, the girls that
signed with him, and Kathy West Morland, they were all there.
(04:42):
But there was no Elvis, you know. I remember we
talked to them for a while, got to know them,
and they even they said, you know, Elvis likes to
be fashionably late. This is this is a little bit unusual.
But to make a long story short, after a while,
he we heard a commotion coming down the hall. Elvis
walked into the room and I'll tell you my jaw drops.
(05:03):
You know, up to that point in my life, I
was an Elvis fan, but maybe kind of a casual
Eleves fan. But when he walked into the room, I
realized there why he's the biggest star in the world.
When he walked into that room, he has such charisma,
such magnetism. I can't even use to find the right
(05:24):
ward to excibe it, describe it, but you could feel
him actually walk into the room, and he came over.
He hugged us all and welcomed us into his organization.
And there's an experience I'll never forget. So it was
a special time. And as I said, I have some
great memories of the times that I spend with of
us because it was a special time in my life.
(05:45):
Now you mentioned a minute ago, I was a backup singer,
and you're right about that. You know, as exciting as
it was, I was still just a backup singer. And
I'll never forget. In nineteen seventy two when William lee
Go called me, William of the Golden and the Oakridge Boys.
He's a gentleman in our group that most people won't recognize.
(06:06):
He's got the long beard, you know, and and they
he certainly has a characteristic look, no no question about it,
he called. But back then he did not have he
was mister GQ back then. Seventy two he called me
and said the bass singer and the Oakridge Boys was
leaving and they wanted to know if I would be
interested in joining the group. So, you know, here I
(06:30):
was apparently on top of the world, singing with the
King of rock and roll, but I had to make
a decision. What do I do?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
You know, what did I got to know this? I
got to know this. So you are singing with Elvis Presley, right,
and how old are you, like twenties?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I was in my mid one, probably in my middle
twenties at the time.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Yes, I mean you got it made, man, This is
this is the greatest place in the world to be.
And at that time, were they still the Oakredge Boys
or were they? Were they still what was it the
Oakridge Quartet at the.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Time, Well, the group was still pretty much a gospel
group at the time, you know. But I had to admit,
you know, at the same time, I was a big
fan of the Oakridge Boys. I love the music that
they were making. I actually collected their records, and I
felt like the group had a great deal of potential
and I really wanted to be a part of it,
(07:24):
you know. And singing with Elvis while it was very exciting,
don't get me wrong, it certainly was. I was strictly
a backup singer, and I felt like there was an
opportunity when the Oakridge Boys offered me a job, and
so I took advantage of the opportunity, you know. And
back then you know, a lot of people questioned it.
You know, how could you do that? How could you
(07:46):
leave Elvis and join the join the Oakridge Boys? But
you know, I really believed I was doing the right thing.
I kind of followed my heart. And now fifty believe
it or not, fifty two years later, when I looked back,
I look back on that decision. I think I made
a pretty good decision back then.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Absolutely, Well, it's our luck. It was Elvis's lost in
our game for sure, and we are very lucky to
have had you with the Okredge Boys. I think of
the music that you've made all these years. So you
look back now fifty two years, my gosh, you've seen
you have seen music change so much in your career,
(08:25):
and what an incredible vantage point you've got to see
it all.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Now.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
You've done country and gospel with the Okreage Boys, You've
done rock and roll with Elvis. They've all grown that
each one of those genres of music has grown over
the decades. Which one of them do you think evolved
the best? In other words, is there any modern music
that's as enjoyable to listen to as the music you
guys made back when it all started, well.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
You know, quite often people ask me about that when
I would do my interviews, and not just me all
the overreage boys, you know. And then they asked me
about our opinion of what's going on in the music
business today, especially in our genre, country music, and and
and and you know when when I when I watch
the Awards shows, for example, and even when I listen
(09:13):
to country radio, I can understand to a point why
we do not quite fit in there any longer, you know,
because we're really classic country at this point in our lives.
But I don't have I don't have a problem with
what is happening in country music today. I think, you know,
we have a lot of very young, talented people that
have come into our business, and I think they've made
(09:35):
our business bigger and better. I think they've taken the
bar and they've raised it several levels, and and and
and I think I think the future of country music
is in pretty good hands. So I'm not one of
these classic artists, as does you know, begrudging the success
of these young kids driving good day. I think it's
a good thing because we're still doing okay ourselves. You know, Uh,
(09:56):
when when when the business is bigger and better. It
gets better for all of us, it really does. So
we're we're happy to be doing well. You know what
we call our farewell tour, you know, and it's very
exciting right now, you know. We what we want to
do with this farewell tour is we want to take
time as much time as it's going to take, to
(10:17):
go to as many places as we can possibly go
to and say thank you to all the people that
have allowed us to have such a great career. You know,
we've had a fifty plus years show. It's been pretty amazing,
it really has been. You know, we're talked about Elvis
a few minutes ago. Back when I was singing with Elvis,
I never dreamed that someday I would be in the
(10:39):
same Hall of Fame with him, you know, right.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Right, Seriously, you guys got into the Country Music Hall
of Fame a couple of years back. What did that
feel like?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Well, you know, it's beyond words, you know now. You know,
it happened in twenty fifteen, so nine years ago, you know,
and even nine years later, it's still harder to describe
how special it is. You know, if you walk into
the rotunda there in the Country Music Hall of Fame
right here in downtown Nashville, and you see the four
(11:09):
faces of the Oakridge Boys on the wall in bronze,
you know, And then you look around the room, you know,
and look at that. You look down the wall a
little ways, you will see Elvis there, his face is
in bronze. You'll see Johnny Cash, you know, You'll see
you know, Kenny Rogers, you know. And a lot of
people are still alive, you know, like like Dolly Parton
for example, you know. Yeah, and for the Oakridge Boys
(11:32):
to be a part of that is so special. It's
beyond words. And I never dreamed, you know, over fifty
two years ago when I was singing with Elvis, that
someday I would be in the same Hall of Fame
together with him, and not just the Country Music Hall
of Fame, also the Gospel music Aliformia Rights something something
that's very special. It certainly is.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
It's amazing, it truly is. What a career you've had.
I do have one more question about Elvis. Let me
go back to this, and it really sure no problem.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
A lot of people love to hear even though he's
been gone for many years, a lot of people still
love to hear Elvis. Well you're about Elvis.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Yeah, it's true. This isn't even about Elvis, It's more
about you. How did you How did you tell your
mom and your dad that you were going to sing
with Elvis Presley? Do you remember that moment? Do you
remember it?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Well? You know I do. I was very very excited.
I couldn't believe when when J. D. Sumner he called
a meeting and and and he said he called all
the Stam's Court together, and he told us he received
this phone call from Elvis and Elvis wanted to hire
the Stam's Court. That we looked at each other and
we could not believe it. And not that and not
just my family. I couldn't wait to tell about everyone
(12:43):
that I knew now I'm about to sing with the
King of rock and roll. He was very, very exciting,
no doubt about it. And as I said a few
minutes ago in our interview, you know now that many
many years have passed and I looked back on that,
I'm so I'm so thankful that I was able to
experience that. You know, some time that I spent with
the King of rock and roll.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
What is something that surprised you about Elvis Once, Once
you know, you get to work with somebody, you start
to relax a little bit. Okay, Okay, Now he's an artist,
and definitely it's got all the charisma in the world,
and it's so amazing to be in the room with him.
But now we're all working together, and now we're off
stage a little bit. And what is something that really
surprised you to learn about Elvis?
Speaker 2 (13:22):
You know, I think the biggest surprise I've you know,
I found out about Elvis after I got to know
him a little bit, and all of us, all all
this time s quartet would tell you the same thing.
We really we realized that he loved to play practical jokes.
He was the biggest jokester in the world. He loved
to play practical jokes on people and just laugh, you know.
(13:43):
And it was and he did it quite often, you know.
And I have so many stories that I can tell
you about jokes that he played on us. And it
was a special thing. And that was the side of
Elvis I did not expect to see when I when
I joined the group, you know, But he was very
much a down to earth kind of guy. He really was.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
What give me one of the practical jokes that he played.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Okay, the best party of a joke that has ever
been played on me personally, as well as you know,
my Sam's quartet. We were actually playing in Las Vegas
with Elvis, and Elvis did two shows, I believe it
or not. He did two shows, one at eight o'clock
and then one at midnight. One night after our first show,
(14:24):
we were in our dressing room changing clothes, going to
relax for a few hours, you know, before the next show,
and Elvis came into our dressing room, which is something
he had never ever done before. And we looked at
each other and wow, what's going on here? And Elvis
told us, he said, fellows, there's been a threat on
my life. And he says, this has happened many times,
(14:44):
he said, but we really think that, you know, me
and my bodyguards are and my people, we think this
is the real thing this time. And so he said,
what I want you guys to do is a few minutes,
I'm going to go up to my room and I
want you guys to come up to the last week
here at the Las Vegas and we're going to We're
going to have a little meeting and explain what we
would like you guys to do during this second show,
(15:07):
because he claims he's coming to the second show and
he's going to get me basically, he's going to shoot me.
Basically what he's going to do. And so we said, wow,
this is going to be something. And so I remember
we all went after the we went to the elevator,
went to the top floor of the Hilt and he
went to uh, get into the knocked on the door
(15:27):
and walked into Elvis's suite and Elvis was kind of
standing on in the center of the suite. They had
this big piano, grand piano in the middle of the suite.
He was kind of plunking on the piano like just
kind of fiddling around a little bit, and we we
we came up to him. He said, fellows, this has
happened to me before, but this this I sad that
this is going to be the real thing this time.
(15:49):
And his two bodyguards Sonny Sonny and Red, they were
both there, the security guards in the hotel. They were
all gathered around and he said, we want to talk
to you for just a minute and explain to you
what we want you to do during this second show,
he said, And Sunday and red Bo said, We're going
to be on either side of the stage, and during
the show, we want you guys to look out at
(16:10):
the audience and if you see anyone that even looks
a little suspicious, we want you to kind of, you know,
get our attention, you know, and then let us know
you're seeing somebody. While they while they were saying that,
the front door of the suite open pat with a thud,
and this guy yells, Presley, I'm going to get you.
(16:31):
And he starts shooting a gun, starts firing, you know,
and and and and and it just seemed like bullets
were flying around the room. And I remember, you know
that we all dove once, you know, I dove under
a table. I just praying, dear Lord, don't don't let
me die, you know. And all the all the security
guards in the hotel, they pulled their guns out. They
(16:52):
were firing back at this guy, you know, and it
seemed like bullets were flying around the room. It was unbelievable.
And that and I remember JD. Sonner in particular, he
was trying to be the hero. He he jumped Elvis
dropped to the ground, JD jumped on top of Elves
to try to protect him. Oh my gosh, that's what
(17:13):
That's when we realized that this was not the real thing.
It was a joke, because when JD jumped on top
of Elves, Elvis was laughing so hard he could not
he could not believe it. And then we all realized,
you know that these guys were the shooting blanks. They
were not real bullets, you know. But it was the
most real joke that has ever been played on me
(17:36):
personally in my life. You know. I remember that night.
By the second show, I was still shaking on stage
because it was it was so real, and Elvis kept
looking over at us laughing through the whole show. He
really pulled one on us for a big time that night.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
That is an incredible story. I'm so glad you shared
it with us. That is.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I know it got a little long, but you can't
keep get that story short.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
No, it is too good. You got to tell it
the way it is to be told. I want you
to describe to me how you told your parents, because
to me, if I if I found out I was
gonna if I was going to sing with the biggest
star on Earth, my dream was to be a singer anyway,
You're right, and then I was going to sing with
the biggest star on Earth. I would have to tell
my parents. That would be the biggest thing for me. Mom, Dad,
(18:23):
you won't believe this. How did you do it? How
did you? How did you tell them?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Well, you know, they they were they were pretty happy
about it, but you know, I have to admit, you know,
my my parents they also had some mixed emotions about it.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Well did you did you call? Did you go to
the house?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Yeah? Yeah, and and uh and and uh. You know
that my parents were very religious people, you know, and
I was raised in a Christian home. And the fact
that I was going to sing, you know, we were
a gospel group at the time, and the fact that
I was going to be singing with the King of
rock and roll. Yeah, they thought that was kind of
nice and kind of exciting. But they were a little
concerned about it at the same time. So it was
(19:01):
maybe guarded optimism. That's probably the best the best way
I could put it.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Wow, that is great. Well, I don't want to diminish
everything you've done, Like we've focused on Elvis here a
little bit, but boy, the stuff that you did. You
guys are amazing. Oakridge boys will go down in history.
I want to know. Let's talk Elvira. It was clearly
the home run of all home runs. Who came up
(19:26):
with oom Papa mal Mao? Was that? Did you just
do that out of the blue or was that written
into the song? Or tell me the story of that song.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Well, a gentleman named Dallas Fraser wrote the song, and
he actually wrote the line giddy up, oompapo male male
into the song. And this is not this story. You'll
get along, get along, but I'll try.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
We got to make it.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
I'll try to make it as short as possible. He
Dallas Fravier told us how he wrote the song. He
was actually driving home from a recording session in Nashville
or a writer's session or something, and he was driving.
He was driving through East Nashville, Tennessee, in his car.
He came across the street sign there in East Nashville
(20:13):
is called el Vira Street, and he saw the street
sign and he pulled his car over immediately right up
to the street sign, and he pulled out a piece
of paper or an envelope, and right there on the spot,
he wrote down Elvira, Elvira, my Heart's on fire for Elvira.
And then right there at the same time he wrote
(20:33):
giddyap Oop Mount Mount, right there on the spot he
was he was actually inspired by that street sign and
by Elviras Street and the way he told the story,
he said that the Umpapa Mault Mount Park actually imitated
the potholes, the chugholes or whatever you want to called
on the street on Elvira Street, and that is something
(20:57):
a lot of people do not realize, you So, so
that he wrote that into the song. And then when
he got home, you know, he wrote versus about a woman,
you know, so the whole thing would make more sense.
But the original inspiration for Elvira came from a street
sign in East Nashville, Tennessee. Now, when we got into
(21:18):
the recording studio recording the song, even though even though
Dallas Fraser wrote that part into the song, Ron Chancey
was our producer for many, many years. We called him
our fifth fifth Oakreage Boy. Ron produced most of the
number one records on the Oakreage Boys. He was a
great song man. And I remember the day in the
(21:39):
studio when we got to that oom Papa Mama part.
He told me, He said, Richard, this is going to
be a part for you. I think it'd be it'd
be great for you to sing that line. And so
you know basically what I did, I just took that
line and get hp oom Papa oom papa mama, and
I just adapted it to my way of doing things,
you know, And I yes, it turned out okay. I
(22:01):
guess it's probably one of the most well known basslines
you know, in all the music business. But it was
actually Ron Chancey's idea for me to do that, and
and it turned like I said, I think it turned
out okay.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
It did. Indeed, I loved anytime, you know, we don't
hear as much bass voice as i'd like to, and
anytime I hear a good bassline like that. The other
one was Bobby Sue. That was terrific, right.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
And once again it was Ron Chancy's idea for me
to do the line. Bob Bob bob me zoo, you know,
and you can count all the fact when me come
your way, you're going to definitely hear me dude giddy
a boom pop on my mouth. That will definitely happen
in our show. And also Bob Bob Bobby is Sue.
You will hear both of those songs certainly during our
(22:49):
show when we come your way.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Can't wait for that again. That is the shit Into
a Valley Music Festival in Orkney Springs. Absolutely beautiful place
to see a show. Nearly sold out, but there may
still be some tickets left. You need to get to
the link at Chris Andlriishow dot com and get your
tickets as soon as possible. I am hogging up all
of your time and listen. I gotta be honest, Richard.
(23:12):
I knew I would because it's just so fun to
talk to you. I've been wanting to for years now,
and just to know what was I don't want to
talk in superlatives like what was the greatest time you
had with the Oakridge Boys or what was the thing
you loved the most about being on the road. But
is there something that once you're done with this tour
(23:32):
you're going to really go I'm probably gonna miss that.
I mean, after all these years, I can't imagine there's much.
But what would it be?
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Well, you know, I think we want to be remembered
as a mac that really made a contribution to country
music and to gospel music and to the music industry
in general. But I think more than that, we want
to be remembered as a mac that helped people with
our music. And I think we've accomplished that, you know,
(24:00):
you know, in this day. You know, for years, you know,
people would write into us, you know, and tell us,
you know, how we help them get through difficult times
in their lives. And now, in this day and age
of social media, we get instant, you know, feedback from
our fans, and people tell us every day, you know,
they're going through difficult times. They have a those illness
in the family, they're going through financial issues. You know,
(24:24):
there's so many problems in our world right now. You
never know what difficulties people are going through. But it's
great to know that we, you know, we have been
able to help people with our music. We've always tried
to select the kind of songs, good, wholesome, positive messages
that will help people. And I think over the course
of the years, we have help with our music. And
(24:46):
I think that's the greatest accomplishment that we want to
be remembered for. And I think that is that has
certainly been the case, no question about that.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
All right, One last question, Richard Sturbin of the Oakridge Boys.
When it's all said and done, what's the next chapter
for you? What's next for you?
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Well, you know, I'm just gonna you know. Well, first
of all, let me say this about the Oakridge Boys
farewell tour. We have we we have announced that we're
on a farewell tour. However, we have we have not
announced just yet that we are retiring. Oh you know. Now,
now we do not know how long the farewell tour
(25:26):
is going to take, you know, we we you know
it's not going to last ten years, we know that,
but it could last for a while longer. Yet, you know,
we we've originally planned for it to be just for
this year has been so successful we we're now booking
dates for next year. So we are still going to
be around for a while, you know. And the good
Lord above has not told us just yet it's time
(25:48):
to retire. And when he says that, I think we'll
know it's time to hang it up. So we're not
quite there yet. So we're going to be around for
a little while doing what it is that we love doing.
So so I plan to sing for as long as
I can yet. To be very honest with you, we
have to be realistic. It's not going to last forever.
But but we're still going to be around for a
little while and then after that, you know, you know,
(26:10):
I'm going to do what I love baseball. I'm going
to go to as many baseball games as I can
possibly go to height I love it, And I have
some of the best grandkids and spend some men some
time with the grandkids, and just enjoy myself. You know,
goes the Good Lord has blessed me if many over
and over again over the course of my life. You know,
(26:30):
I'm now eighty one years old, still feel feeling good
for feeling very good for my age, and hopefully I'll
be around for a few more years and enjoy life
the best that I can.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
I love that. That's so well said. Is there any
advice you give to younger performers?
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Yeah, I think so. You know, that question is asked
to meet quite often, and not just me, all the
Oakridge Boys people. I think. I think, first of all,
the most important thing in life, regardless if you're in
the if you want to be successful in the music
business or you want to be successful, you know, doing
anything else in life. You know. First of all, you
have to decide what it is that you want to do.
(27:09):
You have to decide, you know, what you're calling is
in life, and if you believe that it's the music business,
then you have to go for it big time. You
have to do things that will not allow you to be,
you know, sides swayed by anything else. You know. I
think the most important thing is you have to work
on your craft every day. Become the best that you
(27:31):
can possibly be, and every time you get a chance
to perform, perform at the very best of your ability,
because you never never know who's listening or what can happen,
So always do the best you can. And I think
if you if you work as hard as you can
and develop your craft, especially as you can develop it,
good things will happen. People are successful in life when
(27:53):
they work hard. There's no substitute for that. So work
as hard as you can. And the Lord God bless
show like he has me personally and all the Oakridge Boys.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Richard Sturbin of the Oakridge Boys, what a pleasure to
have you here on the Chris and Laurie Show. Thank
you so much for your time. Cannot wait to have
you guys on the stage at the Shenandoah Valley Music
Festival in Orkney Springs, and that's coming up soon August seventeenth.
Get your tickets. Everybody. Thank you for the time, Richard,
(28:25):
really appreciate it so very very much, and you have
a wonderful day, buddy, Well, thank.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
You and let me one more fight. Go on. Let
me speak for all the Oakridge Boys and tell you
we're looking forward to coming your way. We plan to
have a great time. We're going to do our best
to make it a great night. So we want to
encourage come on out. Let's spend some time together with
the oak Ridge Boys. Let's celebrate together, because we plan
to celebrate this great career that the Good Lord has blessed.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Us with awesome, wonderful thank you. Thank you from the
bottom of my heart, Richard. I appreciate this so very much.
And by the way, Sanford and I talked for probably
twenty five minutes. He's a great guy, your publicist day.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
I talk with him almost every day, and twenty five
minutes leaving with him is a short conversation. I love it.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
I love that. That's a little I can believe it
I could believe listen, but I did enjoyed every minute
of it. I really did. And same here with this conversation.
You guys are.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Wonderful, and like I said, we're not you know, we're
we know the end is not too far away, but
we're not retired yet. Maybe someday we'll get a chance
to talk with Dan.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
You never know, I would hope, so I really do, buddy. Yeah, hey, listen,
have a great day. Thank you again.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
All right, thank you sir, Thank you. Behind
Good morning, Q and O two. Who's this is this?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Chris Mitchel?
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Yes it is, and that unmistakable bass boys could only
belong to one person.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Richard Sturman, Well, it is definitely me.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
I cannot believe as I'm sitting here in this studio
as I have for twenty four years now, I can't
believe I'm actually talking to you. This is amazing for me.
I hope you don't mind. I'm going to fanboy out
a little bit because I have been a big fan
for years and years and to have the honor of
interviewing you now that you guys are in the home stretch,
you're doing your final tour, it's a real pleasure. Richard,
(00:40):
Welcome to this show. It's good to have you with us.
Where are you calling from this morning?
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Well, I am actually calling you from home. Will All
the Oakridge Boys live in a place called Hendersonville, Tennessee,
which is basically Nashville. It's a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee,
and so I'm going here from home. It's an honor
for me to be able to talk to you as well.
It certainly is, and I'm excited about talking to you
(01:06):
and all your fine listeners sat there, you know, and
the fact that you're promoting the fact that we're coming
your way is something that I personally appreciate. And I'm
speaking for all the oa Bridge boys. We thank you
for doing.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
This well, thanks a lot. Yeah, you guys. This is
going to be a sellout. It almost is already. If
there are any seats left, they're going to go quickly.
But I don't think that there are. Actually I think
they're almost completely sold out. This is going to be
at the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival in in Orkney Springs.
Just the most perfect place to have a concert, and
(01:40):
it's intimate and yet there can be a large crowd.
It's a lot like wolf Trap in that way. I
think everybody's going to enjoy it. And again that's August seventeenth.
Do you want to see if there's still tickets left?
Link is right there at Chris andlorishow dot com. So, Richard,
I want to talk to you about a lot of things,
so many things. I sat down. I thought, oh, man,
I've got questions. I don't know where to start, but
(02:01):
I would really like to start. A lot of people know,
but not everyone knows that you got your start, you
began singing with Elvis Presley, which is just unbelievable. You know,
I don't want to spend too much time talking about Elvis,
but I do have to ask you some questions because
he endures and will be, I think probably forever one
(02:23):
of the most famous entertainers in human history, and you
were part of that. So what was your experience like
working with Elvis?
Speaker 2 (02:30):
Well, you're absolutely correct. You know, for about two years,
just prior to joining the Oakridge Boys, I sang in
a group called j D. Summner and the Stamps Quartet.
And you know, I think I happened to be in
the right place at the right time when I joined
JD and the Stamps. I was only there for just
a few months when j D. Sumner got a phone
(02:53):
call from Elvis, and A and Elvis were friends. They
both are from Memphis, and Elvis was looking to hire
a new backup group and the group he had called
the Imperials at a conflict, so he had to hire
a new backup group, so he hired JD and the
samsu Here. I was, you know, a young guy in
my twenties. All of a sudden, I found myself on
(03:16):
stage with the biggest star in the world back then,
you know, Elvis was he was by far the biggest
star in the world. His tour was the biggest tour
in the music business, and it was very exciting to
be a part of it. You know, I have some
great memories of the times I've spent with Elvis. I
did get to know him just a little bit, and
(03:36):
it was a great time in my life. It really was.
And you know, and now that a lot of time
has passed and I look back on that, you know,
I'm glad that I was able to experience that because
it really was a special time and in my life,
no question about it.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Well, I mean, were you intimidated when you got hired
as a backup singram? I mean, my gosh, I know
I can sing, but that's Elvis standing there, right. How
did that? What was that like?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Well, it was it was mind boggling. You know, I'll
never forget the first time I ever met Elvis, you know,
when we found out that we were going to be
singing with Elvis, and then then we were informed that
we had to obviously rehearse, you know. So so the
tour was going to start in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I
(04:21):
remember all loll Stamps Court, we all went up to
Minneapolis and we were we reported to the ballroom there
at the hotel where we were going to have a rehearsal,
you know. But and everyone was there. The TCB band
was there, Elvis's band, the Swede Inspirations, the girls that
signed with him, and Kathy West Morland, they were all there.
(04:42):
But there was no Elvis, you know. I remember we
talked to them for a while, got to know them,
and they even they said, you know, Elvis likes to
be fashionably late. This is this is a little bit unusual.
But to make a long story short, after a while,
he we heard a commotion coming down the hall. Elvis
walked into the room and I'll tell you my jaw drops.
(05:03):
You know, up to that point in my life, I
was an Elvis fan, but maybe kind of a casual
Eleves fan. But when he walked into the room, I
realized there why he's the biggest star in the world.
When he walked into that room, he has such charisma,
such magnetism. I can't even use to find the right
(05:24):
ward to excibe it, describe it, but you could feel
him actually walk into the room, and he came over.
He hugged us all and welcomed us into his organization.
And there's an experience I'll never forget. So it was
a special time. And as I said, I have some
great memories of the times that I spend with of
us because it was a special time in my life.
(05:45):
Now you mentioned a minute ago, I was a backup singer,
and you're right about that. You know, as exciting as
it was, I was still just a backup singer. And
I'll never forget. In nineteen seventy two when William lee
Go called me, William of the Golden and the Oakridge Boys.
He's a gentleman in our group that most people won't recognize.
(06:06):
He's got the long beard, you know, and and they
he certainly has a characteristic look, no no question about it,
he called. But back then he did not have he
was mister GQ back then. Seventy two he called me
and said the bass singer and the Oakridge Boys was
leaving and they wanted to know if I would be
interested in joining the group. So, you know, here I
(06:30):
was apparently on top of the world, singing with the
King of rock and roll, but I had to make
a decision. What do I do?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
You know, what did I got to know this? I
got to know this. So you are singing with Elvis Presley, right,
and how old are you, like twenties?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I was in my mid one, probably in my middle
twenties at the time.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Yes, I mean you got it made, man, This is
this is the greatest place in the world to be.
And at that time, were they still the Oakredge Boys
or were they? Were they still what was it the
Oakridge Quartet at the.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Time, Well, the group was still pretty much a gospel
group at the time, you know. But I had to admit,
you know, at the same time, I was a big
fan of the Oakridge Boys. I love the music that
they were making. I actually collected their records, and I
felt like the group had a great deal of potential
and I really wanted to be a part of it,
(07:24):
you know. And singing with Elvis while it was very exciting,
don't get me wrong, it certainly was. I was strictly
a backup singer, and I felt like there was an
opportunity when the Oakridge Boys offered me a job, and
so I took advantage of the opportunity, you know. And
back then you know, a lot of people questioned it.
You know, how could you do that? How could you
(07:46):
leave Elvis and join the join the Oakridge Boys? But
you know, I really believed I was doing the right thing.
I kind of followed my heart. And now fifty believe
it or not, fifty two years later, when I looked back,
I look back on that decision. I think I made
a pretty good decision back then.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
Absolutely, Well, it's our luck. It was Elvis's lost in
our game for sure, and we are very lucky to
have had you with the Okredge Boys. I think of
the music that you've made all these years. So you
look back now fifty two years, my gosh, you've seen
you have seen music change so much in your career,
(08:25):
and what an incredible vantage point you've got to see
it all.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Now.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
You've done country and gospel with the Okreage Boys, You've
done rock and roll with Elvis. They've all grown that
each one of those genres of music has grown over
the decades. Which one of them do you think evolved
the best? In other words, is there any modern music
that's as enjoyable to listen to as the music you
guys made back when it all started, well.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
You know, quite often people ask me about that when
I would do my interviews, and not just me all
the overreage boys, you know. And then they asked me
about our opinion of what's going on in the music
business today, especially in our genre, country music, and and
and and you know when when I when I watch
the Awards shows, for example, and even when I listen
(09:13):
to country radio, I can understand to a point why
we do not quite fit in there any longer, you know,
because we're really classic country at this point in our lives.
But I don't have I don't have a problem with
what is happening in country music today. I think, you know,
we have a lot of very young, talented people that
have come into our business, and I think they've made
(09:35):
our business bigger and better. I think they've taken the
bar and they've raised it several levels, and and and
and I think I think the future of country music
is in pretty good hands. So I'm not one of
these classic artists, as does you know, begrudging the success
of these young kids driving good day. I think it's
a good thing because we're still doing okay ourselves. You know, Uh,
(09:56):
when when when the business is bigger and better. It
gets better for all of us, it really does. So
we're we're happy to be doing well. You know what
we call our farewell tour, you know, and it's very
exciting right now, you know. We what we want to
do with this farewell tour is we want to take
time as much time as it's going to take, to
(10:17):
go to as many places as we can possibly go
to and say thank you to all the people that
have allowed us to have such a great career. You know,
we've had a fifty plus years show. It's been pretty amazing,
it really has been. You know, we're talked about Elvis
a few minutes ago. Back when I was singing with Elvis,
I never dreamed that someday I would be in the
(10:39):
same Hall of Fame with him, you know, right.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Right, Seriously, you guys got into the Country Music Hall
of Fame a couple of years back. What did that
feel like?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
Well, you know, it's beyond words, you know now. You know,
it happened in twenty fifteen, so nine years ago, you know,
and even nine years later, it's still harder to describe
how special it is. You know, if you walk into
the rotunda there in the Country Music Hall of Fame
right here in downtown Nashville, and you see the four
(11:09):
faces of the Oakridge Boys on the wall in bronze,
you know, And then you look around the room, you know,
and look at that. You look down the wall a
little ways, you will see Elvis there, his face is
in bronze. You'll see Johnny Cash, you know, You'll see
you know, Kenny Rogers, you know. And a lot of
people are still alive, you know, like like Dolly Parton
for example, you know. Yeah, and for the Oakridge Boys
(11:32):
to be a part of that is so special. It's
beyond words. And I never dreamed, you know, over fifty
two years ago when I was singing with Elvis, that
someday I would be in the same Hall of Fame
together with him, and not just the Country Music Hall
of Fame, also the Gospel music Aliformia Rights something something
that's very special. It certainly is.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
It's amazing, it truly is. What a career you've had.
I do have one more question about Elvis. Let me
go back to this, and it really sure no problem.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
A lot of people love to hear even though he's
been gone for many years, a lot of people still
love to hear Elvis. Well you're about Elvis.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Yeah, it's true. This isn't even about Elvis, It's more
about you. How did you How did you tell your
mom and your dad that you were going to sing
with Elvis Presley? Do you remember that moment? Do you
remember it?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Well? You know I do. I was very very excited.
I couldn't believe when when J. D. Sumner he called
a meeting and and and he said he called all
the Stam's Court together, and he told us he received
this phone call from Elvis and Elvis wanted to hire
the Stam's Court. That we looked at each other and
we could not believe it. And not that and not
just my family. I couldn't wait to tell about everyone
(12:43):
that I knew now I'm about to sing with the
King of rock and roll. He was very, very exciting,
no doubt about it. And as I said a few
minutes ago in our interview, you know now that many
many years have passed and I looked back on that,
I'm so I'm so thankful that I was able to
experience that. You know, some time that I spent with
the King of rock and roll.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
What is something that surprised you about Elvis Once, Once
you know, you get to work with somebody, you start
to relax a little bit. Okay, Okay, Now he's an artist,
and definitely it's got all the charisma in the world,
and it's so amazing to be in the room with him.
But now we're all working together, and now we're off
stage a little bit. And what is something that really
surprised you to learn about Elvis?
Speaker 2 (13:22):
You know, I think the biggest surprise I've you know,
I found out about Elvis after I got to know
him a little bit, and all of us, all all
this time s quartet would tell you the same thing.
We really we realized that he loved to play practical jokes.
He was the biggest jokester in the world. He loved
to play practical jokes on people and just laugh, you know.
(13:43):
And it was and he did it quite often, you know.
And I have so many stories that I can tell
you about jokes that he played on us. And it
was a special thing. And that was the side of
Elvis I did not expect to see when I when
I joined the group, you know, But he was very
much a down to earth kind of guy. He really was.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
What give me one of the practical jokes that he played.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Okay, the best party of a joke that has ever
been played on me personally, as well as you know,
my Sam's quartet. We were actually playing in Las Vegas
with Elvis, and Elvis did two shows, I believe it
or not. He did two shows, one at eight o'clock
and then one at midnight. One night after our first show,
(14:24):
we were in our dressing room changing clothes, going to
relax for a few hours, you know, before the next show,
and Elvis came into our dressing room, which is something
he had never ever done before. And we looked at
each other and wow, what's going on here? And Elvis
told us, he said, fellows, there's been a threat on
my life. And he says, this has happened many times,
(14:44):
he said, but we really think that, you know, me
and my bodyguards are and my people, we think this
is the real thing this time. And so he said,
what I want you guys to do is a few minutes,
I'm going to go up to my room and I
want you guys to come up to the last week
here at the Las Vegas and we're going to We're
going to have a little meeting and explain what we
would like you guys to do during this second show,
(15:07):
because he claims he's coming to the second show and
he's going to get me basically, he's going to shoot me.
Basically what he's going to do. And so we said, wow,
this is going to be something. And so I remember
we all went after the we went to the elevator,
went to the top floor of the Hilt and he
went to uh, get into the knocked on the door
(15:27):
and walked into Elvis's suite and Elvis was kind of
standing on in the center of the suite. They had
this big piano, grand piano in the middle of the suite.
He was kind of plunking on the piano like just
kind of fiddling around a little bit, and we we
we came up to him. He said, fellows, this has
happened to me before, but this this I sad that
this is going to be the real thing this time.
(15:49):
And his two bodyguards Sonny Sonny and Red, they were
both there, the security guards in the hotel. They were
all gathered around and he said, we want to talk
to you for just a minute and explain to you
what we want you to do during this second show,
he said, And Sunday and red Bo said, We're going
to be on either side of the stage, and during
the show, we want you guys to look out at
(16:10):
the audience and if you see anyone that even looks
a little suspicious, we want you to kind of, you know,
get our attention, you know, and then let us know
you're seeing somebody. While they while they were saying that,
the front door of the suite open pat with a thud,
and this guy yells, Presley, I'm going to get you.
(16:31):
And he starts shooting a gun, starts firing, you know,
and and and and and it just seemed like bullets
were flying around the room. And I remember, you know
that we all dove once, you know, I dove under
a table. I just praying, dear Lord, don't don't let
me die, you know. And all the all the security
guards in the hotel, they pulled their guns out. They
(16:52):
were firing back at this guy, you know, and it
seemed like bullets were flying around the room. It was unbelievable.
And that and I remember JD. Sonner in particular, he
was trying to be the hero. He he jumped Elvis
dropped to the ground, JD jumped on top of Elves
to try to protect him. Oh my gosh, that's what
(17:13):
That's when we realized that this was not the real thing.
It was a joke, because when JD jumped on top
of Elves, Elvis was laughing so hard he could not
he could not believe it. And then we all realized,
you know that these guys were the shooting blanks. They
were not real bullets, you know. But it was the
most real joke that has ever been played on me
(17:36):
personally in my life. You know. I remember that night.
By the second show, I was still shaking on stage
because it was it was so real, and Elvis kept
looking over at us laughing through the whole show. He
really pulled one on us for a big time that night.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
That is an incredible story. I'm so glad you shared
it with us. That is.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I know it got a little long, but you can't
keep get that story short.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
No, it is too good. You got to tell it
the way it is to be told. I want you
to describe to me how you told your parents, because
to me, if I if I found out I was
gonna if I was going to sing with the biggest
star on Earth, my dream was to be a singer anyway,
You're right, and then I was going to sing with
the biggest star on Earth. I would have to tell
my parents. That would be the biggest thing for me. Mom, Dad,
(18:23):
you won't believe this. How did you do it? How
did you? How did you tell them?
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Well, you know, they they were they were pretty happy
about it, but you know, I have to admit, you know,
my my parents they also had some mixed emotions about it.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Well did you did you call? Did you go to
the house?
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Yeah? Yeah, and and uh and and uh. You know
that my parents were very religious people, you know, and
I was raised in a Christian home. And the fact
that I was going to sing, you know, we were
a gospel group at the time, and the fact that
I was going to be singing with the King of
rock and roll. Yeah, they thought that was kind of
nice and kind of exciting. But they were a little
concerned about it at the same time. So it was
(19:01):
maybe guarded optimism. That's probably the best the best way
I could put it.
Speaker 1 (19:05):
Wow, that is great. Well, I don't want to diminish
everything you've done, Like we've focused on Elvis here a
little bit, but boy, the stuff that you did. You
guys are amazing. Oakridge boys will go down in history.
I want to know. Let's talk Elvira. It was clearly
the home run of all home runs. Who came up
(19:26):
with oom Papa mal Mao? Was that? Did you just
do that out of the blue or was that written
into the song? Or tell me the story of that song.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
Well, a gentleman named Dallas Fraser wrote the song, and
he actually wrote the line giddy up, oompapo male male
into the song. And this is not this story. You'll
get along, get along, but I'll try.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
We got to make it.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
I'll try to make it as short as possible. He
Dallas Fravier told us how he wrote the song. He
was actually driving home from a recording session in Nashville
or a writer's session or something, and he was driving.
He was driving through East Nashville, Tennessee, in his car.
He came across the street sign there in East Nashville
(20:13):
is called el Vira Street, and he saw the street
sign and he pulled his car over immediately right up
to the street sign, and he pulled out a piece
of paper or an envelope, and right there on the spot,
he wrote down Elvira, Elvira, my Heart's on fire for Elvira.
And then right there at the same time he wrote
(20:33):
giddyap Oop Mount Mount, right there on the spot he
was he was actually inspired by that street sign and
by Elviras Street and the way he told the story,
he said that the Umpapa Mault Mount Park actually imitated
the potholes, the chugholes or whatever you want to called
on the street on Elvira Street, and that is something
(20:57):
a lot of people do not realize, you So, so
that he wrote that into the song. And then when
he got home, you know, he wrote versus about a woman,
you know, so the whole thing would make more sense.
But the original inspiration for Elvira came from a street
sign in East Nashville, Tennessee. Now, when we got into
(21:18):
the recording studio recording the song, even though even though
Dallas Fraser wrote that part into the song, Ron Chancey
was our producer for many, many years. We called him
our fifth fifth Oakreage Boy. Ron produced most of the
number one records on the Oakreage Boys. He was a
great song man. And I remember the day in the
(21:39):
studio when we got to that oom Papa Mama part.
He told me, He said, Richard, this is going to
be a part for you. I think it'd be it'd
be great for you to sing that line. And so
you know basically what I did, I just took that
line and get hp oom Papa oom papa mama, and
I just adapted it to my way of doing things,
you know, And I yes, it turned out okay. I
(22:01):
guess it's probably one of the most well known basslines
you know, in all the music business. But it was
actually Ron Chancey's idea for me to do that, and
and it turned like I said, I think it turned
out okay.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
It did. Indeed, I loved anytime, you know, we don't
hear as much bass voice as i'd like to, and
anytime I hear a good bassline like that. The other
one was Bobby Sue. That was terrific, right.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
And once again it was Ron Chancy's idea for me
to do the line. Bob Bob bob me zoo, you know,
and you can count all the fact when me come
your way, you're going to definitely hear me dude giddy
a boom pop on my mouth. That will definitely happen
in our show. And also Bob Bob Bobby is Sue.
You will hear both of those songs certainly during our
(22:49):
show when we come your way.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Can't wait for that again. That is the shit Into
a Valley Music Festival in Orkney Springs. Absolutely beautiful place
to see a show. Nearly sold out, but there may
still be some tickets left. You need to get to
the link at Chris Andlriishow dot com and get your
tickets as soon as possible. I am hogging up all
of your time and listen. I gotta be honest, Richard.
(23:12):
I knew I would because it's just so fun to
talk to you. I've been wanting to for years now,
and just to know what was I don't want to
talk in superlatives like what was the greatest time you
had with the Oakridge Boys or what was the thing
you loved the most about being on the road. But
is there something that once you're done with this tour
(23:32):
you're going to really go I'm probably gonna miss that.
I mean, after all these years, I can't imagine there's much.
But what would it be?
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Well, you know, I think we want to be remembered
as a mac that really made a contribution to country
music and to gospel music and to the music industry
in general. But I think more than that, we want
to be remembered as a mac that helped people with
our music. And I think we've accomplished that, you know,
(24:00):
you know, in this day. You know, for years, you know,
people would write into us, you know, and tell us,
you know, how we help them get through difficult times
in their lives. And now, in this day and age
of social media, we get instant, you know, feedback from
our fans, and people tell us every day, you know,
they're going through difficult times. They have a those illness
in the family, they're going through financial issues. You know,
(24:24):
there's so many problems in our world right now. You
never know what difficulties people are going through. But it's
great to know that we, you know, we have been
able to help people with our music. We've always tried
to select the kind of songs, good, wholesome, positive messages
that will help people. And I think over the course
of the years, we have help with our music. And
(24:46):
I think that's the greatest accomplishment that we want to
be remembered for. And I think that is that has
certainly been the case, no question about that.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
All right, One last question, Richard Sturbin of the Oakridge Boys.
When it's all said and done, what's the next chapter
for you? What's next for you?
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Well, you know, I'm just gonna you know. Well, first
of all, let me say this about the Oakridge Boys
farewell tour. We have we we have announced that we're
on a farewell tour. However, we have we have not
announced just yet that we are retiring. Oh you know. Now,
now we do not know how long the farewell tour
(25:26):
is going to take, you know, we we you know
it's not going to last ten years, we know that,
but it could last for a while longer. Yet, you know,
we we've originally planned for it to be just for
this year has been so successful we we're now booking
dates for next year. So we are still going to
be around for a while, you know. And the good
Lord above has not told us just yet it's time
(25:48):
to retire. And when he says that, I think we'll
know it's time to hang it up. So we're not
quite there yet. So we're going to be around for
a little while doing what it is that we love doing.
So so I plan to sing for as long as
I can yet. To be very honest with you, we
have to be realistic. It's not going to last forever.
But but we're still going to be around for a
little while and then after that, you know, you know,
(26:10):
I'm going to do what I love baseball. I'm going
to go to as many baseball games as I can
possibly go to height I love it, And I have
some of the best grandkids and spend some men some
time with the grandkids, and just enjoy myself. You know,
goes the Good Lord has blessed me if many over
and over again over the course of my life. You know,
(26:30):
I'm now eighty one years old, still feel feeling good
for feeling very good for my age, and hopefully I'll
be around for a few more years and enjoy life
the best that I can.
Speaker 1 (26:40):
I love that. That's so well said. Is there any
advice you give to younger performers?
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Yeah, I think so. You know, that question is asked
to meet quite often, and not just me, all the
Oakridge Boys people. I think. I think, first of all,
the most important thing in life, regardless if you're in
the if you want to be successful in the music
business or you want to be successful, you know, doing
anything else in life. You know. First of all, you
have to decide what it is that you want to do.
(27:09):
You have to decide, you know, what you're calling is
in life, and if you believe that it's the music business,
then you have to go for it big time. You
have to do things that will not allow you to be,
you know, sides swayed by anything else. You know. I
think the most important thing is you have to work
on your craft every day. Become the best that you
(27:31):
can possibly be, and every time you get a chance
to perform, perform at the very best of your ability,
because you never never know who's listening or what can happen,
So always do the best you can. And I think
if you if you work as hard as you can
and develop your craft, especially as you can develop it,
good things will happen. People are successful in life when
(27:53):
they work hard. There's no substitute for that. So work
as hard as you can. And the Lord God bless
show like he has me personally and all the Oakridge Boys.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
Richard Sturbin of the Oakridge Boys, what a pleasure to
have you here on the Chris and Laurie Show. Thank
you so much for your time. Cannot wait to have
you guys on the stage at the Shenandoah Valley Music
Festival in Orkney Springs, and that's coming up soon August seventeenth.
Get your tickets. Everybody. Thank you for the time, Richard,
(28:25):
really appreciate it so very very much, and you have
a wonderful day, buddy, Well, thank.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
You and let me one more fight. Go on. Let
me speak for all the Oakridge Boys and tell you
we're looking forward to coming your way. We plan to
have a great time. We're going to do our best
to make it a great night. So we want to
encourage come on out. Let's spend some time together with
the oak Ridge Boys. Let's celebrate together, because we plan
to celebrate this great career that the Good Lord has blessed.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Us with awesome, wonderful thank you. Thank you from the
bottom of my heart, Richard. I appreciate this so very much.
And by the way, Sanford and I talked for probably
twenty five minutes. He's a great guy, your publicist day.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
I talk with him almost every day, and twenty five
minutes leaving with him is a short conversation. I love it.
Speaker 1 (29:13):
I love that. That's a little I can believe it
I could believe listen, but I did enjoyed every minute
of it. I really did. And same here with this conversation.
You guys are.
Speaker 2 (29:20):
Wonderful, and like I said, we're not you know, we're
we know the end is not too far away, but
we're not retired yet. Maybe someday we'll get a chance
to talk with Dan.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
You never know, I would hope, so I really do, buddy. Yeah, hey, listen,
have a great day. Thank you again.
Speaker 2 (29:36):
All right, thank you sir, Thank you. Behind
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