Newly-Announced CMHoF Inductees Share Emotions During Luncheon

Pictured (L-R): Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Joe Bonsall). Photo: Alan Poizner/CMA

The Oak Ridge Boys (Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban) and The Browns (Jim Ed, Maxine, and Bonnie) sat down for panel discussions with Country Music Association (CMA) members Wednesday (March 25) at the Hall of Fame’s Event Hall during the 12th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon.

They talked about their craft following the announcement that they will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year, along with late guitarist Grady Martin.

“There is nothing in the world like hearing great harmony,” The Oaks’ Bonsall said. “And the only thing that’s better than that is being behind this microphone, being a part of something like this all those years, making that sound as brothers, as friends. We send it out there with all we got. We call it a power harmony.”

“I think it’s singing from our heart, singing from our soul and it’s kind of a spiritual thing sometimes,” added Golden.

The Browns, like existing Hall of Fame members The Everly Brothers and The Louvin Brothers, rely on the special bond between family members to align their voices.

“I can sing a song, put it on tape, and send it to my sisters and they will sing their part and not somebody else’s,” Jim Ed Brown said. “Bonnie would sing the third part, Maxine would sing the second part, and when you put it all together it would all fit. It was the timbre of the voices that brings us together, which is a little bit different from most groups. And that sound is part of The Browns. I don’t think anybody’s ever duplicated it.”