William Lee Golden (born January 12, 1939) [1]is an American country music singer. Between 1965 and 1987, and again since December 1995, he has been the baritone singer in the country vocal group The Oak Ridge Boys.
Golden joined The Oak Ridge Boys (then a Southern gospel music group) in 1965. Golden is widely known for his waist-length beard and hair, and has become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry. Golden was voted out of The Oak Ridge Boys in 1987, as the other three members wanted to change the band's image.[2] He was replaced by Steve Sanders, but stayed with MCA Records as a solo artist to record an album titled American Vagabond, which included two chart singles.[3] In 1990, he moved to Mercury Records and released "Louisiana Red Dirt Highway".[2]
Sanders left the group in 1995 and Golden returned on New Year's Eve of the same year.[4]
Personal life
Has been married four times.[5] Golden was married to Frogene Normand from 1957 to 1975. He married Luetta Callaway in 1984 and they divorced in 1987. He was married to Brenda Kaye Hall from 1990 to 2013. Golden married Simone De Staley in 2015. They live in Hendersonville, Tennessee.[citation needed] He has four sons, Rusty, Craig, Chris and Solomon, a step-daughter and seven grandchildren.[citation needed] Golden's sons Rusty and Chris recorded as The Goldens for Epic Records and Capitol Records between 1988 and 1991.[3] They also played in his road band during his solo career.[2]
The "Golden Era Plantation"
Golden's likeness is carved into the side of an oak tree on the edge of the property, which is visible from the road
Golden's home is called The "Golden Era Plantation." Built in 1786, it is recognized as the oldest brick home in Sumner County, Tennessee. The Federal-style structure was built in 1786, then called "Pilot's Knob," on a military outpost by American Revolutionary War Captain James Franklin, the father of planter and slave trader Isaac Franklin (1789–1846). After the war, he was awarded a land grant to the property.
During the Civil War, the Plantation became a station camp for Confederate soldiers. In order to protect their valuable gold and silver from approaching Union soldiers, the occupants buried the metals in the ground surrounding the house. This gold was later discovered during renovation of the home in 1976.
The area has been struck twice by tornadoes; once in 1892 and again on April 6, 2006. Originally a two-story building, the second story was removed by the first tornado. Repairs were made leaving it as a single-story home. Following the second tornado, the home's architecture was restored, adding a second story. The home was listed for sale in 2016 following Golden's divorce from Brenda Hall.[6]
^McCall, Cheryl (April 25, 1983). "After Months on the Warpath, the Battling Oak Ridge Boys Pass the Peace Pipe". People. 19 (16). Retrieved 10 November 2018.
^. yoursumner.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
^"William Lee Golden - The Artist - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. 2018-05-02. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
^"Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. March 31, 1990.
^"Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. August 11, 1990.
External links
Official website
"Biography." William Lee Golden. 25 October 2007.
"Golden Era Plantation." William Lee Golden. 25 October 2007.
January 07, 2023
william, golden, born, january, 1939, american, country, music, singer, between, 1965, 1987, again, since, december, 1995, been, baritone, singer, country, vocal, group, ridge, boys, golden, 2013background, informationbirth, nameborn, 1939, january, 1939, orig. William Lee Golden born January 12 1939 1 is an American country music singer Between 1965 and 1987 and again since December 1995 he has been the baritone singer in the country vocal group The Oak Ridge Boys William Lee GoldenGolden in 2013Background informationBirth nameWilliam Lee GoldenBorn 1939 01 12 January 12 1939 age 83 OriginBrewton AlabamaGenresCountry gospelOccupation s Singer painterInstrument s Vocals baritone Years active1965 presentLabelsMCA MercuryMember ofThe Oak Ridge BoysWebsitewww wbr williamleegolden wbr com Contents 1 Career 2 Personal life 3 The Golden Era Plantation 4 Discography 4 1 Albums 4 2 Singles 4 3 Guest singles 4 4 Music videos 5 References 6 External linksCareer EditGolden joined The Oak Ridge Boys then a Southern gospel music group in 1965 Golden is widely known for his waist length beard and hair and has become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry Golden was voted out of The Oak Ridge Boys in 1987 as the other three members wanted to change the band s image 2 He was replaced by Steve Sanders but stayed with MCA Records as a solo artist to record an album titled American Vagabond which included two chart singles 3 In 1990 he moved to Mercury Records and released Louisiana Red Dirt Highway 2 Sanders left the group in 1995 and Golden returned on New Year s Eve of the same year 4 Personal life EditHas been married four times 5 Golden was married to Frogene Normand from 1957 to 1975 He married Luetta Callaway in 1984 and they divorced in 1987 He was married to Brenda Kaye Hall from 1990 to 2013 Golden married Simone De Staley in 2015 They live in Hendersonville Tennessee citation needed He has four sons Rusty Craig Chris and Solomon a step daughter and seven grandchildren citation needed Golden s sons Rusty and Chris recorded as The Goldens for Epic Records and Capitol Records between 1988 and 1991 3 They also played in his road band during his solo career 2 The Golden Era Plantation Edit Golden s likeness is carved into the side of an oak tree on the edge of the property which is visible from the road Golden s home is called The Golden Era Plantation Built in 1786 it is recognized as the oldest brick home in Sumner County Tennessee The Federal style structure was built in 1786 then called Pilot s Knob on a military outpost by American Revolutionary War Captain James Franklin the father of planter and slave trader Isaac Franklin 1789 1846 After the war he was awarded a land grant to the property During the Civil War the Plantation became a station camp for Confederate soldiers In order to protect their valuable gold and silver from approaching Union soldiers the occupants buried the metals in the ground surrounding the house This gold was later discovered during renovation of the home in 1976 The area has been struck twice by tornadoes once in 1892 and again on April 6 2006 Originally a two story building the second story was removed by the first tornado Repairs were made leaving it as a single story home Following the second tornado the home s architecture was restored adding a second story The home was listed for sale in 2016 following Golden s divorce from Brenda Hall 6 Discography EditAlbums Edit Year Album US Country Label1986 American Vagabond 53 MCA2000 My Life s Work Audio Visual Arts III2010 The Artist 7 self releasedSingles Edit Year Single Chart positions AlbumUS Country CAN Country1986 Love Is the Only Way Out 53 58 American Vagabond You Can t Take It with You 72 521990 Keep Lookin Up 8 Louisiana Red Dirt Highway 9 Guest singles Edit Year Single Artist US Country Album1990 Tomorrow s World Various artists 74 Single onlyMusic videos Edit Year Single1990 Keep Lookin Up Louisiana Red Dirt Highway References Edit https books google com books id XsiL49XFbnkC amp pg PT1575 amp dq william lee golden 1939 amp hl en amp newbks 1 amp newbks redir 0 amp source gb mobile search amp sa X amp ved 2ahUKEwjCpoPHpaf8AhW2mGoFHYzTCz8Q6AF6BAgIEAM a b c Pena Susan L 12 August 1994 When it comes to country music he s Golden Reading Eagle Retrieved 20 September 2011 a b Whitburn Joel 2008 Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008 Record Research Inc p 164 ISBN 978 0 89820 177 2 Whitburn p 303 McCall Cheryl April 25 1983 After Months on the Warpath the Battling Oak Ridge Boys Pass the Peace Pipe People 19 16 Retrieved 10 November 2018 Passing on the Torch for a Golden Era YourSumner yoursumner com Archived from the original on 11 March 2016 Retrieved 13 January 2022 William Lee Golden The Artist Amazon com Music Amazon com 2018 05 02 Retrieved 2020 04 18 Single Reviews PDF Billboard March 31 1990 Single Reviews PDF Billboard August 11 1990 External links EditOfficial website Biography William Lee Golden 25 October 2007 Golden Era Plantation William Lee Golden 25 October 2007 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Lee Golden amp oldid 1130959676, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
