The country and gospel-music act The Oak Ridge Boys recently was named the inaugural musical ambassadors of the Route 66 Alliance and the Will Rogers Highway before a show in Tulsa.
The group was presented with a certificate signed by Alliance co-founder Michael Wallis and Alliance executive director Ken Busby before the Oaks’ show at River Spirit Casino Resort. A photo gallery of the presentation is here.
Busby stated in an email the idea came from longtime music agent Jim Halsey. Busby forwarded an email from Halsey earlier in July about the proposal:
“Greetings Michael and Ken, we all appreciate the great job you are doing in creating focus and inventing new ways to keep America’s legendary Route 66/Will Rogers Highway alive and current.
Michael, Ken, last year we discussed appointing celebrities as “official route 66 ambassadors of goodwill“. Specifically we suggested the Oak Ridge Boys should be the first ones appointed. Others to follow.
For years the Oak Ridge Boys have traveled one end to the other playing concerts, fairs, PACs, city celebrations and casinos. We continue today! 150 concerts annually.
I am suggesting again to consider naming the Oak Ridge boys “official ambassadors“.
Collectively the Oak Ridge boys do over 300 press and radio interviews annually , , plus their schedule of national media.
Lots of press and PR opportunities here. Maybe even a private event like we did at the Grammy Museum in February. Jennifer was there.
We need to tie in Will Rogers to this project.
Objective: attention to promoting awareness of the mother Road, Will Rogers Highway and all of the beautiful free spirit and opportunities available in this great land. Let’s help keep the spirit alive and nurtured.
If this sounds interesting, I would suggest an emblem plaque much like a license plate to attach to our buses, make available a certificate that could be presented to the four Oak Ridge Boys on one of their shows that would indicate their official appointment. This could be the first of many celebrities.
Let me know what you think.
The Oak Ridge boys will be appearing at the River Spirit casino on Thursday, July 26. If interested.”
The Oak Ridge Boys’ Twitter account on Monday tweeted this image of the Alliance’s certificate:
We have been made Music Ambassadors of America’s Highway.. Route 66 @route66news #Route66 pic.twitter.com/vyjMvBLPO7
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) July 30, 2018
A day after the Tulsa gig, the Oaks’ tweeted shoutout of the Wagon Wheel Motel from the Route 66 town of Cuba, Missouri:
We have arrived in Cuba Missouri at one of our favorite places @66wagonwheel … on Route 66… TidBit: We are official ambassadors of Route 66 Americas Highway @route66 #Route66
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) July 27, 2018
Although the Oak Ridge Boys act has sung Southern gospel since the 1940s, the current classic lineup of Duane Allen (lead vocal), Joe Bonsall (tenor), William Lee Golden (baritone) and Richard Sterban (bass) has performed together since 1973. The group logged 17 No. 1 country singles, including “Elvira,” “American Made” and “Bobbie Sue.”
Not many know this, but the Oak Ridge Boys also sang backup on Paul Simon’s hit single “Slip Slidin’ Away.”
(Image of the Oak Ridge Boys by the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau via Flickr)