“There’s no question about it: Music education is very, very important,” said Richard Sterban, the group’s bass singer. “All over our country, one of the first programs to get cut is music, and that’s a sad thing. Several of the Oak Ridge Boys wouldn’t be in the music business today if we hadn’t studied music in school. It’s very dear to our hearts.”

Sterban played the sousaphone in his high school band and was a member of the school choir.

“The training was very valuable to me. There’s no substitute for it,” he said. “We will do all we can to make sure music stays in the public school districts. That’s why we’re honored and thrilled to be part of an event like this.”

The concert is a fundraiser so the band can travel to Orlando, Fla., to compete in a March 2012 music festival. The goal is $20,000.

OAK TO OK
For Sterban, vocal music turned out to be his forte.

“The first thing I ever sang was as a boy in church and I was a soprano then. I don’t remember the song I sang but I remember that experience in my mind,” he said. “I felt impressed that singing was what I was supposed to do with my life.”

That turned out to be a good move for Sterban, and ultimately, The Oak Ridge Boys.

The current foursome has been together for nearly 40 years and there are no plans to slow down, although the entire group is eligible to draw Social Security. Sterban, 68, joined in 1972. William Lee Golden, 72, is the group’s elder statesman, while Joe Bonsall is the youngest at 62. Duane Allen is 68.

“It’s mind-boggling that we’ve experienced that type of longevity in the music business,” Sterban said. “We love getting on stage and performing live in front of our fans. The fact that we love what we do keeps us going.”
Good health also has played a pivotal role in the group’s ongoing success.

“We don’t stay up and party all night anymore,” Sterban said. “We take care of ourselves. As long as the good Lord above is blessing us with good health, you’ll see us out here performing.”

The Oak Ridge Boys still perform about 150 nights a year, with a 2012 Christmas tour planned that will include 30 dates.

“I think we’re the best example of, if you are willing to pay the price and work hard, good things will happen. We have a work ethic second to none. We dare these younger acts to follow us around,” Sterban said.

‘BACK’ AGAIN
He guaranteed the Choctaw audience will hear fan favorites like “Elvira,” but also will be treated to new music. The act’s latest album, “The Boys Are Back,” is an example of its ability to “reinvent” itself. 

Sterban credits young music producer David Cobb with helping The Oak Ridge Boys “travel down some roads musically that we wouldn’t have gone ourselves.”

The musical creativity never stops, Sterban said. When not a tour or promoting its work, the band hits the studio to put together a new gospel album.

But life hasn’t always been so rosy.

In 1987, Golden was ousted from the group after a disagreement, and it took nearly 10 years for him to return.
“We did OK without him, but it wasn’t the same,” Sterban said. “Finally, we acted like men and admitted our mistakes, renewed our friendships, and moved on. We’re happy to be back together.”

May 21’s concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Choctaw High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $45. For more information, call 390-2207.