William Lee Golden Reflects on Grief, Loss, and the Healing Power of Music in 2024
The year 2024 has been one of the most difficult chapters in the history of The Oak Ridge Boys. The iconic country and gospel group, known for their timeless harmonies and uplifting performances, has faced a series of heartbreaking losses that deeply affected both their personal lives and their shared journey as a band.
In a recent interview, William Lee Golden, the legendary baritone vocalist of the group, opened up about how he and his fellow band members have coped with grief — and how music has been their most powerful source of healing.
A Year of Unimaginable Loss
William Lee revealed that earlier this year, he lost his eldest son on July 1st. Just days later, Duane Allen’s wife, Nora Lee, passed away on Easter Sunday, a heartbreaking blow after over five decades of marriage. And on July 9th, the group’s longtime member Joe Bonsall also passed away — only a day after William Lee had laid his son to rest.
“It was a depth of sadness that’s indescribable,” Golden shared. “There’s no easy way to explain what that kind of sorrow feels like.”
Finding Comfort on Stage
Despite the tremendous grief, The Oak Ridge Boys made the decision to continue touring. William Lee described how, after spending days in solitude, processing the overwhelming losses, he found an unexpected form of comfort in returning to the stage.
“What I discovered was the healing power of music,” he said. “As we sang those familiar songs, many of which reminded us of times spent with our loved ones, something started to lift inside us.”
The act of performing — of connecting with audiences and each other through music — became a kind of therapy for the band members. Every show, according to Golden, leaves them feeling a little stronger than before they walked on stage.
Music as a Healing Force
Golden emphasized how grief affects every part of a person — mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. And while the pain remains, music continues to help them navigate their sorrow.
“Music has that God-given power to heal us,” he reflected. “Each night we perform, we feel better after the show than before it started.”
It’s a sentiment shared by fellow Oak Ridge Boy Duane Allen, who, like Golden, has found solace in music amidst personal heartbreak.
A Message for Others Facing Loss
For those enduring similar grief, William Lee Golden offers simple but heartfelt advice: allow yourself time to mourn, but don’t stay in that darkness forever. Cherish the memories, love those you’ve lost, and let the things that once brought you joy — like music — help carry you forward.
“There’s only so long we can grieve before it’s time to stand up and move on,” he said. “And for us, music was the gift that helped us begin to heal.”