William Lee Golden and the Goldens Revitalize “Elvira” with a Generational Twist
William Lee Golden, the iconic baritone of the Oak Ridge Boys, is stepping into a new harmonious chapter, not just with his legendary group, but with his family band, William Lee and the Goldens.1 Joined by his son, Elijah Golden, they recently sat down outside Nashville to discuss their new rendition of the classic hit “Elvira,” set to be released on July 9th. This isn’t just another cover; it’s a deeply personal project born out of a tumultuous period and a desire to connect generations through timeless music.
“Why right now?” William Lee Golden pondered, reflecting on the genesis of the project. “Because it’s something we did during the pandemic when we were all sent home.” Facing the uncertainty and negativity of that time, William Lee made a conscious decision to turn off the disheartening news. “I turned off all the negative hate on television, turned the TV off, got the family over here, we started singing old songs.” He took his family, including his grandchildren, back to his musical roots, revisiting songs his mother and sister taught him when he was just six or seven, inspiring him to play guitar and sing harmonies. This period of familial musical exploration led to the recording of 34 old songs, deemed “essential” to their lives. The result is a trio of albums: a full gospel album, a classic country album, and a country-rock album.
The country-rock album features their fresh take on “Elvira.”2 William Lee recalls being inspired by Elijah’s incredible performance of “Stand by Me” on the project. “I felt then, man, he could sing ‘Elvira’ and put his own twist and feeling to it,” he shared. This version of “Elvira” is unique as William Lee doesn’t sing lead; instead, Elijah takes the helm, supported by harmonies from his sons Rusty and Chris, and Aaron Lee McUin on bass. Aaron, a talented singer with bluegrass, country, and gospel roots, was a natural fit, having filled in with the Oak Ridge Boys previously.
For William Lee, this rendition of “Elvira” represents a profound passing of the torch. “To me, it was me passing down to a second and third generation of family a great song that Dallas Frazier wrote.” He noted that “Elvira” was 16 years old before the Oak Ridge Boys even recorded it, having been featured on albums by Dallas Frazier, Charlie Rich, and Kenny Rogers. The Oak Ridge Boys’ iconic arrangement, with its distinct high leads and “oom-papa-mow-mow” bass lines, was Ron Chance’s brainchild. This new family version is a heartfelt homage to a song that has been central to William Lee’s life and remains one of the Oak Ridge Boys’ most beloved and requested tunes. “It was one of the fun projects that I’ve ever done,” he stated, proudly reflecting on how he used the pandemic to create five major projects, including three family albums, an Oak Ridge Boys album, and his autobiography.
A New Groove for a Classic: Elijah Golden on “Elvira”
For Elijah Golden, stepping into the lead vocal role for “Elvira” came with “a little bit of both” pressure and excitement. “It is a great honor and a great privilege to be able to sing that song, given its history,” he expressed. His excitement stemmed from singing alongside his father, brothers, and Aaron. “It’s one of those songs that on stage it’s always fun… it’s one of those songs that gets everybody standing up with their hands clapping.” He cherishes the joy of seeing people smile and dance, particularly to “old songs that they’d grown up listening to.”
Elijah explained their modern twist on the classic.3 While the Oak Ridge Boys’ version had a nostalgic doo-wop rhythm section, their new take “altered a little bit of the beat in order to have more of a swampy kind of, a little Big Town kind of groove to it.” He believes this channels a similar nostalgia but steers it in a fresh direction, making him feel honored to be a part of it.
A Legacy Beyond Music: Family, Loss, and Continued Creation
The release of “Elvira” on July 9th holds a deeper, poignant meaning for the Golden family and the Oak Ridge Boys. “July the 9th was a year ago that we lost Joe Bonsall,” William Lee shared, also noting that the day of the interview marked one year since they lost his son, Rusty. “Last year was a sad year for the boys. We went through a lot of losses.” He recounted the passing of Duane Allen’s wife, Rusty, and then Joe Bonsall in quick succession. Despite the immense grief, William Lee found solace and healing in music. “We found healing in music and healing in singing and getting together and harmonizing together as a group. And even with the family, man, it’s after all we’ve been through… getting back together and singing and music lifts us up out of that valley of sadness.”
When asked about pursuing more original songwriting with his family, especially given the success of his recent solo original, “I Got My Heart On You,” William Lee reflected on his process. He noted his late son Rusty was a prolific songwriter, inheriting a poetic sensibility from his own mother. William Lee admitted, “I guess I have to be in a mood and inspiring to do that.” “I Got My Heart On You” was born out of a weekend of loneliness and missing his youngest son, Solomon, who is now in medical school. The song incorporated Solomon’s childhood phrase, “Hey Dad, this is Solomon, I got my heart on you,” a touching sentiment that moved William Lee to express his feelings through melody and words.
Elijah is eager to explore original songwriting with the family. He revealed he already has about four originals recorded for a solo debut project, which will be roughly half covers and half originals. He recently filmed a video with his father on Gallatin Square for the classic James Carr song “Dark End of the Street.” Elijah found joy and avenues for expression in songwriting, even participating in a workshop at Brown University. He believes songwriting has a unique ability to “bring different people, experiences, voices, memories together,” and that “songs are big enough to hold all that.”
William Lee cherishes working with his younger family members and the Oak Ridge Boys’ new tenor, Ben James, who is 28. “They make me forget how old I am,” he quipped. He feels a responsibility to pass on his vast knowledge. When asked about continuing his famous beard tradition, William Lee pointed to his son, Craig Golden, who also drives tour buses for acts like Kid Rock and Nickelback. Craig, a talented singer in his own right, though once shy, contributed a song to the family project: The Allman Brothers’ “Multicolored Lady.”
Beyond music, William Lee’s artistic endeavors include painting and photography.4 He confirmed that a new photography book is on its way, produced by the same team behind his autobiography. He spoke about the interview process for his autobiography, which even involved his first wife and Elijah’s grandmother, who shared stories of his past “unfaithfulness” – a period of his life he has long since moved past.
The “Elvira” video, featuring these new voices, will be released on July 9th, with about three or four more family videos slated for release over the coming year. William Lee also remains active with the Oak Ridge Boys, with about 75 dates this year and an “extended farewell” tour planned for next year. He expressed the profound positive energy that young singers like Ben James bring, especially after the group’s recent losses.
Looking ahead, William Lee hopes his legacy will be remembered for his love of harmonies. “I’m basically a harmony singer, and I’ve always loved harmonies,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of people living in harmony as well as singing in it. While he’s sung lead on Oak Ridge Boys hits like “Thank God for Kids” and “Trying to Love Two Women’s Like a Ball and Chain,” his heart truly lies in the blend. “I’m country. I grew up on a farm. Well, you know, that’s what I’m about, man. I’m about harmony singing.”