Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen Receives Memorial Bridge Honor

Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen Receives Memorial Bridge Honor

Duane and his family celebrate the ‘Duane Allen Memorial Bridge & Road’
and honor their Veteran Family Members during their visit to Paris, TX

 

Paris,
TX (April 23, 2014) – On Tues. Apr. 15, 2014, Oak Ridge Boys’
award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, Duane Allen, paid a visit
to his hometown in the Cunningham Community near Paris, TX, where a
bridge and road have been dedicated in his name. The singer’s family
also made the trip to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial in Paris,
TX to support the memorial and honor military family members.

Duane and his family began their day with a tour of Red River Valley
Veterans Memorial.  During their visit, The Allen family donated a
granite bench with markers in the Memorial to honor their family members
who have served in the armed forces. “It was a very special event, and I
encourage all of you to visit this wonderful place that pays tribute to
Veterans of all wars that have served our country,” stated Oak Ridge
Boys’ singer.

Following the Veterans Memorial, the Allen family traveled to Lamar
County, where the bridge and road dedication ceremony was presented by
Lamar County Judge Chuck Superville, and elected County Commissioner for
Pct. 1, Lawrence Malone.  The ‘Duane Allen Memorial Bridge’ crosses Big
Sandy Creek and is located just a few hundred yards away from where
Allen was born.  Two blue signs reading ‘Duane Allen Road’ were placed
on each end of the County Road.  At Duane’s request, the new signs were
placed in conjunction with the previous road signs, so local residents
will not have to change their address.

VIDEO HERE: http://www.kxii.com/fox/home/headlines/Lamar-Co-unveils-Duane-Allen-Memorial-Bridge-255477511.html
or HERE: http://youtu.be/9Yit8ZkIscw

“This is a very special honor to me; It means more to me than if it
were to be the Golden Gate Bridge,” said Duane Allen, when describing
how special the honor is to him and his family. The bridge crosses the
creek that ran through the middle of the Allen family farm where he grew
up picking cotton as a young boy.  Duane said he has vivid memories of
learning to fish and swim in Big Sandy Creek, and bike-riding over the
bridge each day on his way to school. “I did not know until our bus
turned down the small road that the bridge was on ‘our’ road; it was a
complete surprise. I thought it would be south of our place, but when we
turned down ‘our’ road, now named the “Duane Allen Road,” my stomach
just about came out of my body. I was so thrilled that I did not have
the proper words to express myself. I was still emotionally charged when
I tried to speak.”

Following the ceremony, the Cunningham Community Center held a
private celebratory pot-luck for Duane, his family, and hometown
friends.  This gave Duane time to visit, sing, and answer questions with
his family, and reminisce in the town that his gift of music began.

“I’m wishing April 15, 2014 to be a wonderful and happy celebration
for you and your family. As you walk over the bridge, let all your
worries be water under the bridge.  Have a safe journey my friend.”
stated proud fellow Oak Ridge Boy, William Lee Golden, after learning of
the honor to Allen

Duane Allen joined the Oak Ridge Boys 48 years ago in 1966. Since
then, the group has scored 12 gold, three platinum, and one double
platinum album—plus one double platinum single—and had more than a dozen
national number one singles and over 30 top ten hits. The Oaks’
legendary career has gone on for 6 decades, encompasses more than 41
million albums sold, and includes numerous iconic hit singles such as
“Elvira,” “American Made,” and “Y’all Come Back Saloon.” Currently, The
Oak Ridge Boys are touring the United States, and released their first
ever LIVE country hits album on Tuesday, Apr. 15, the day of the bridge
& road naming ceremony.

Related Posts

Radio Live Show Playlist March 27th

Tune In 24/7 to Country Music News International Radio Show

Radio Live Show Playlist March 25th

Tune In 24/7 to Country Music News International Radio Show

Radio Live Show Playlist March 23th

Tune In 24/7 to Country Music News International Radio Show

Country Music News International Newsletter

Here is your Country Music News & Bluegrass Music News of the week

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *