NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (October 13, 2015) – The Oak Ridge Boys are the 2015 recipients
of the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) Dove Award for Country Song of
the Year for their recent country single, “Sweet Jesus,” originally
written by Kenny Vernon and country music icon Merle Haggard, who joined
the group on the recorded version of the song. “Sweet Jesus” is just
one of the stand-out tracks on the award-winning group’s latest album, Rock of Ages, Hymns and Gospel Favorites,
which is now available in retail stores nationwide and online. The
award marks the group’s tenth career GMA Dove Award overall.
Producer Ben Isaacs, who co-produced the album with The Oak Ridge
Boys’ Duane Allen, was on-hand to accept the award at the 46th Annual
GMA Dove Awards in Nashville on Tuesday, October 13.
Upon finding out the group had received the prestigious award, Joe
Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys said, “This whole project was magic from
day one. We are thankful to Bill Gaither for the opportunity, and thank
Ben Isaacs and Duane Allen for their leadership and guidance. Thanks
also to our hero Merle Haggard, not only for the song, but for recording
it with us! And thank you GMA for yet another Dove Award. We are
humbled and honored. Most of all, our thanks and praise to Sweet Jesus
for his constant blessings upon The Oak Ridge Boys. HE garners all of
the praise and glory in everything we do.”
The group—Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Joe
Bonsall—have earned prestigious membership in the Country Music Hall of
Fame (2015 Inductees) and Grand Ole Opry, among other designations.
Known worldwide as one of recording history’s most extraordinary musical
successes, they have charted single after single and album after album,
celebrating over 41 million records sold, two double-platinum albums,
and more than 30 Top 10 hits, including No. 1 chart-toppers “Elvira,”
“Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” among dozens more.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES – 2015 CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT TOUR
11.17 | Branson, Mo. | The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
11.18 | Branson, Mo. | The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
11.19 | Branson, Mo. | The Oak Ridge Boys Theatre
11.21 | Canton, Ohio | Canton Palace Theatre
11.22 | Newport News, Va. | Ferguson Center For The Arts
11.24 | Portsmouth, Ohio | Vern Riffe Center For The Arts
11.27 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Paramount Theater
11.28 | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Washington Pavilion
11.29 | Des Moines, Iowa | Hoyt Sherman Place
11.30 | Topeka, Kan. | Topeka Performing Arts Center
12.01 | Cheyenne, Wyo. | Cheyenne Civic Center
12.02 | Colorado Springs, Co. | Pikes Peak Center
12.03 | Richfield, Utah | Sevier Valley Center
12.04 | Boise, Idaho | Morrison Center at Boise State University
12.05 | Kennewick, Wash. | Toyota Center
12.06 | Lewiston, Idaho | Clearwater River Casino Event
12.07 | Spokane, Wash. | INB Performing Arts Center
12.08 | Eugene, Ore. | Hult Center
12.10 | Shelton, Wash. | Little Creek Casino Resort
12.11 | Lincoln City, Ore. | Chinook Winds Casino
12.12 | Lincoln City, Ore. | Chinook Winds Casino
12.13 | Redding, Calif. | Redding Convention Center
12.15 | Deadwood, S.D. | Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel
12.16 | Saint Joseph, Mo. | Civic Arena
12.17 | Paducah, Ky. | Carson Center
12.18 | Manistee, Mich. | Little River Casino Resort
12.19 | Wisconsin Dells, Wis. | Crystal Grand Music Theatre
12.20 | Merrillville, Ind. | Star Plaza Theatre
12.21 | Evansville, Ind. | Old National Events Plaza
12.22 | Atlanta, Ga. | Philips Arena
12.23 | Nashville, Tenn. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
