The Oak Ridge Boys have seen and done it all. Having garnered both Hall of Fame Inductions under the Gospel and Country Music monikers, the band has defiantly earned their way into music history. The band has been nearly intact since former Buffalo native Joe Bonsall joined back in 1973. In fact, Bonsall wanted to show his roots by saying to the crowd, “not many people know what the Buffalo Sajekwa Parkway is and I loved the time I spent here before I joined The Oak Ridge Boys.” Bonsall is joined by William Lee Golden, Duane Allen and Richard Sterban. This is the 5th time making an appearance at the Erie County Fair.
The band took the stage at around 7:40pm as they were each introduced one by one before they all started to sing “Everyday.” The band did a retrospect of their entire career for the first 2/3rd’s of the show. This portion included “American Beauty,” “Gonna Take a Lot of River” and the John Lee Hooker cover “Boom Boom.” Their harmonies still sound as strong as ever. I don’t think I ever heard such a deep voice in that of one Richard Sterban. His bass voice is as deep as it gets. Each guy took their turns taking lead vocals on various songs. All of their voices worked so well together. After singing together for 45 years, the band is a fine tuned machine.
For the last part of their set, the band sang 5 songs off their latest offering titled “17th Avenue Revival.” The gospel tunes showed why they are revered as one of the all-time great gospel acts as well as country. Of course, they ended their set with their 2 biggest cross over hits in “Bobbie Sue and “Elvira.”
Even though this is the 5th time the band has come to the fair, it’s still a big event when they come. The fans who came out to brave the light rain are attest to that.
Setlist:
Everyday
American Made
You’re the One
Come On In
Louisiana Red Dirt Highway (William Lee Golden song)
No Matter How High
Gonna Take a Lot of River
Y’all Come Back Saloon
Leaving Louisiana in the Broad daylight (Rodney Crowell cover)
Roll Tennessee River
Mama’s Table
Thank God for Kids
American Beauty
Come On In (The Best You can Do)
Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker cover)
Pray to Jesus
Brand New Star
There Will be Light
I’d Rather Have Jesus
Let it Shine on Me
Elvira
Bobbie Sue
We would like to thank Sanford Brokaw from The Oak Ridge Boys management and Holly Smyczynski from Erie County Fair for the credentials to review the show.
