When The Oak Ridge Boys released “Thank God For Kids” in 1982, they had no idea of the impact the song would have on their career. The Country Music Hall of Fame members released that song on their first holiday album, appropriately called Christmas, unable to predict then that they would still be singing that song four decades later.
“There are a number of songs in The Oak Ridge Boys’ repertoire that fans insist on hearing,” shares Joe Bonsall. ”One of those is obviously ‘Elvira,’ and another one is ‘Thank God For Kids.’ It is hard to imagine a set list without it. Eddy Raven wrote it and William Lee Golden’s heartfelt rendition always makes for a special moment!”
The Oak Ridge Boys, which also includes Richard Sterban and Duane Allen, are one of the longest-running groups in country music history. Sterban just celebrated 50 years with The Oak Ridge Boys, after leaving his gig with Elvis Presley to join the country music group.
“It’s hard to believe that 50 years have passed,” Sterban tells Everything Nash. “Over the last 50 years, so many great things have not just happened to me personally, but all four of The Oak Ridge Boys. We’ve been very fortunate. We’ve been very blessed. We’ve had such a great career. And the good thing about it is it’s not over yet. We still have plans for the future. And we plan to go in the studio next year and work on a new project with Dave Cobb. So we’re excited about that as well.”
The Oak Ridge Boys are having plenty of chances to sing “Thank God For Kids” this holiday season, as they perform their The Oaks’ Christmas in Tennessee Dinner Show, as part of Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas event, which runs through December 25,
“It is such an honor to have our Christmas show back at Gaylord Opryland in 2022 for the third year in a row,” Bonsall says. “Nobody does Christmas like Gaylord Opryland, and our dinner shows have become a part of their tradition over the last few years. Our show is much different than last year, but Santa promised to be there every night and he never disappoints.”
The Oak Ridge Boys will be on the 2023 Country Music Cruise, which takes place January 22 to January 29. Tickets are still available for The Oak’s Christmas in Tennessee Dinner Show. Find music and tour dates by visiting their website.