The Oak Ridge Boys Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Historic Country/Gospel Album "Light"

By Timothy Yap May 13, 2022 05:38 AM EDT

Five GRAMMY® Awards, multiple CMA, ACM, and Dove Awards winners The Oak Ridge Boys' iconic country Gospel album The Light turns 40 this year! The album included gospel songs, such as "I Don't Know Why Jesus Loved Me" and "Mama's Last Amen."

"That album was the apex of The Oak Ridge Boys' career in Gospel music," said Oak Ridge Boys member Duane Allen. "I had always dreamed of recording an album that used our stage band in the studio," Allen said. "For the Light album, we rehearsed all the way across Canada and down into California and then secured a side rehearsal room in Whitney Studio in (Glendale, California). We rehearsed in that studio and then went on to record a monumental album with our band, along with the addition of a rhythm guitarist and percussionist."

Country music legend Johnny Cash wote the album's liner notes:

I watched the Oaks
From off stage.
I was caught up in it...
The spotlights in the building
The blue the red the amber
Streamed down upon them
But moving in the spotlights
Was the spirit of True Light
The people were blessed
And so was I
Standing there
Bound in the beauty
Of a spiritual blessing
Brought about
By the children of Light

Sing it
Children of Light
Sing it

This year, The Oak Ridge Boys are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of their number one country hit "Bobbie Sue," which was the first single and title track of an album that would go on to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Bobbie Sue" was the Oaks' sixth song to reach the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

"When we were picking songs for the follow up to the Fancy Free album, which included "Elvira," we received a copy of "Bobbie Sue" in the mail. It was written by Wood Newton and Dan and Adele Tyler and was the perfect follow up to "Elvira" with its sing-a-long melody and signature bass part for Richard."

The Oaks continue to add to their touring and recording legacy, making stops across the country this year as part of their 2022 Front Porch Singin' Tour. They are entertaining audiences everywhere with songs from the Front Porch Singin' album, as well as classics like "American Made," "Y'all Come Back Saloon,'' "Bobbie Sue" and, of course, "Elvira."

Join together with friends and family as The Oak Ridge Boys bring their one-of-a-kind harmonies to a stage near you. Learn more about this tour, including show and ticket information HERE.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
MAY 12 - Thrasher-Home Center / Orange Park, Fla.
MAY 13 - Crown Theatre / Fayetteville, N.C.
MAY 14 - Niswonger Performing Arts Center / Greeneville, Tenn.
MAY 20 - Camp Douglas / Camp Douglas, Wis.
MAY 21 - Kewadin Casino St. Ignace Event Center / St. Ignace, Mich.
MAY 28 - Center Stage at Pearl River Resorts / Choctaw, Miss.
JUN 03 - Apache Casino Hotel Event Center / Lawton, Okla.
JUN 04 - Fitz Tunica Casino & Hotel / Robinsonville, Miss.
JUN 07 - Grand Ole Opry / Nashville, Tenn.
JUN 09 - Hartville Kitchen / Hartville, Ohio.
JUN 10 - Hartville Kitchen / Hartville, Ohio.
JUN 11 - Xcite Center / Bensalem, Pa.
JUN 17 - Franklin County High School / Winchester, Tenn.
JUN 18 - Blue Gate Performing Arts Center / Shipshewana, Ind.
JUN 25 - University of West Georgia Coliseum / Carrollton, Ga.
JUL 08 - Island View Casino Resort - Showroom / Gulfport, Miss.
JUL 15 - Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City / Kansas City, Mo.
JUL 16 - Lincoln County Fair / Troy, Mo.
JUL 29 - Gasconade County Fair / Owensville, Mo.
JUL 30 - Marion Cultural & Civic Center / Marion, Ill.
AUG 06 - Estes Field / Centre, Ala.
AUG 07 - Chuck Mathena Center / Princeton, W.Va.
AUG 14 - Wisconsin State Fair Park / West Allis, Wis.
AUG 19 - Country Tonite Theater / Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
AUG 21 - Kentucky State Fair - Texas Roadhouse Main Stage / Louisville, Ky.
AUG 26 - Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino / Sante Fe, N.M.
AUG 27 - Union High School / Roosevelt, Utah
AUG 29 - Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre / Orem, Utah
AUG 30 - Edward A. Kenley Centennial Amphitheater Layton Park / Layton Park, Utah
AUG 31 - Paramount Theatre / Denver, Co.

For the complete listing, visit oakridgeboys.com/tour.