Introduction
RAW NEWS: Oak Ridge Boys Speak Out About Singing to President Bush
The Oak Ridge Boys, one of America’s most celebrated vocal quartets, have never shied away from moments of national significance. Known for their timeless harmonies, heartfelt gospel roots, and crossover hits like “Elvira” and “American Made,” the group has performed for millions across the globe. Yet few experiences have carried as much weight for them personally as singing before a sitting U.S. president. Recently, the Oak Ridge Boys spoke out about what it meant to perform for President George H. W. Bush and later President George W. Bush, reflecting on the emotional depth, patriotism, and responsibility that came with lending their voices to such occasions.
The group recalled with vivid detail their first performance for President George H. W. Bush, describing the sense of awe that came with standing inside the White House and realizing the historical magnitude of the setting. William Lee Golden, with his trademark long beard and baritone gravitas, explained that while they had sung in countless arenas and concert halls, there was something uniquely humbling about performing in the nation’s capital for the Commander in Chief. “You can’t help but feel the history in the room,” he said. “When you sing there, you’re not just representing yourself—you’re representing your fans, your community, and your country.”
Later, when the group performed for President George W. Bush, the experience carried a different weight, coming during a time when America was deeply aware of its vulnerabilities and challenges in the wake of 9/11. Joe Bonsall, the energetic tenor whose voice has long soared above the group’s harmonies, recalled how emotional it was to deliver songs like “Amazing Grace” in front of a leader who had become a symbol of both strength and comfort during uncertain times. “We weren’t just entertainers that day,” Bonsall explained. “We were messengers of hope and healing. The music carried something bigger than us, and we could feel that in the room.”
Richard Sterban, whose deep bass voice has become iconic in American music, noted that the group took their role seriously whenever they were called upon for patriotic or spiritual songs at such events. “Singing for the President isn’t about fame,” he said. “It’s about service. It’s about honoring our country and the people who serve it. That’s what we felt every time we looked out and saw President Bush sitting there, listening.”
For Duane Allen, the group’s lead singer, the moments also reinforced the Oak Ridge Boys’ mission: to use their music as a bridge between faith, country, and community. “When you’re invited to sing in those settings, you realize just how powerful music can be,” Allen said. “It doesn’t matter what side of politics people are on—music has the ability to bring us together, and that’s what we wanted to do.”
Looking back, the Oak Ridge Boys believe that singing for both President Bushes remains one of the highest honors of their careers. It allowed them to carry forward the same themes they’ve always championed—faith, family, patriotism, and love—into the heart of American leadership. For fans, their reflections confirm what has always been true: that The Oak Ridge Boys are more than entertainers; they are voices of tradition, unity, and pride in being American.