The band was originally formed by another country band called Wally Fowler and the Georgia Clodhoppers, who were booked to play a show at a nuclear research plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for the staff and their families. The group went down so well that they were invited back time and time again, until the band decided to pay tribute to them and changed their name to The Oak Ridge Quartet. By 1947, this new, acapella incarnation group had made such a name for themselves that they had performed their first slot at the Grand Ole Opry, and been invited into the studio for album releases and radio sessions. However, this didn't stop every member of the band save for Fowler himself leaving in 1949 to set up their own group Curley Kinsey and the Tennessee Ridge Runners.
After hiring an existing vocal troupe, the Calvary Quartet, to carry on as The Oak Ridge Quartet, Fowler retired from the band in 1952, and then sold the rights to the name The Oak Ridge Quartet in 1957 to group member Smitty Gatlin. However, it wasn't until 1962, the change of their name to The Oak Ridge Boys their first album on Warner Bros. Records “With Sounds Of Nashville” that the band broke through into the mainstream. Ever since then, the irony of The Oak Ridge Boys has been that while the music has continued to stay pretty much the same over the course of their near-70 year history, the band's line up has shifted radically, with 32 separate singers coming and going over the course of their career.
Their lead singer, Duane Allen, has lead the band since 1966, however, in one of the greatest runs in the history of popular music, the band continues to delight audiences to this very day. For being one of the very few legendary acts that live up to their status time and time again, The Oak Ridge Boys come highly recommended.
The band formed after Kimberley initially attempted to launch her solo singing career as a teenager, with Perry and Neil acting as her roadies and opening act as a duo. She eventually combined with her brothers after years of practicing and playing together during their childhood in hometown Alabama, and The Band Perry were born. The threesome embarked on the New Faces of Country Tour in in 2005.
The group were picked up during the summer of 2009 by newly formed Republic Nashville records, an American country label operating under Universal, after being taken under the wing of Country act manager Bob Doyle.
They quickly released their debut single in late 2009, “Hip to My Heart”, which was a success, landing at number 20 on the Billboard Country Chart, and establishing the siblings trademark pop and country blending style.
An EP titled “The Band Perry EP” was produced shortly after, but they achieved major breakthrough success with their eponymous debut studio album “The Band Perry”, which was released in 2010. The album featured the chart topping single “All Your Life”, as well as a host of other catchy country songs that helped the band gather momentum. Their debut album has sold over 1 million copies.
The southern siblings began work with legendary hip-hop producer Rick Rubin on their follow up album “Pioneer” a few years later, before its release in 2013. The second album was as equally successful as the first, serving up a second number one single in the form of “DONE.” for the band.
The trio recently performed before the 2014 Superbowl game, one of the most watched sports spectacles in the world. They’ve also rocked out on multiple sold out tours in the US and been nominated for and won a host of awards such as the Teen Choice awards and the Grammys.
It was Awesome she is such a talented performer I have been a fan of hers for a long time looking forward to seeing her in a few weeks at CMA Fest
With a musical history stemming back as far as the 1940’s, vocal quartet The Oak Ridge Boys have meandered from Southern Gospel to Country, eventually solidifying their image and sound in the latter. Over their long-lasting career spanning over six decades, the band have recorded and released over thirty-one studio albums and have achieved seventeen number one singles. Largely known for their popular crossover hits ‘Elvira’, ‘Bobbie Sue’ and ‘American Made’, The Oak Ridge Boys have built their legacy and kept it thriving receiving accolades left, right and centre. Relentlessly touring all America for several years has created a legion of loyal fans who have vigilantly followed and supported their career.
With a diverse and thirsty audience, the band cater for all playing a good mixture of classics and new material from their extensive repertoire. Their happy-go-lucky rock and roll country infused sound creates an infectious and electric atmosphere as the crowd can’t help but get up and dance whilst clapping along to the beat. Playing a selection of hits such as ‘Same Ole Me’, ‘I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes’ and ‘Touch a Hand, Make a Friend’, their love for the genre radiates through the room as the deliver their tight four part harmony to a pitch perfect standard. With high energy and passionate performances enough to warm your heart, after all these years The Oak Ridge Boys still know how to bring the house down.
In the past we’ve seen family bands be one of two things -- really cheesy like the ones on TV like The Brady Bunch or Partridge Family or they could be disastrous like the Davies brothers of the Kinks or Oasis’ Gallagher brothers. However it looks like The Band Perry is something completely different.
Composed of Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry, this brothers and sister trio has been taking the world by storm with their gritty country tunes and impeccable showmanship. Signed to Republic Nashville, The Band Perry may have been playing together for a long time but didn’t break into the big time until ‘If I Die Young,’ off their self-titled 2010 debut album, released. Since then, they have been dominating in the country music scene and playing to packed crowds of all ages. And perhaps the reason they’re able to charm everyone from your little brother to your great-grandmother is because of their overall interaction with the crowd. Kimberly always makes sure she’s got everyone on the feet and clapping or even invites people to get onstage them with them.
Now well into their ‘We Are Pioneers’ World Tour, the band’s first headlining series of gigs, their clear familial chemistry onstage is tighter than ever. Not only do they support each other onstage, but they sure as hell know how to rock out on the country stage -- so much so, that even the biggest country skeptic will get into it.