Oak Ridge Boys bring Christmas show to Kennewick on Dec. 5

The Oak Ridge Boys have a country music legend to thank for inspiring them to start a Christmas tour:

Kenny Rogers.

Years ago, Rogers invited the Boys — country music legends themselves — to take part in his Christmas show.

“We observed what he was doing. We got to thinking (that) we could probably do that ourselves,” said Richard Sterban, bass singer in the vocal quartet.

They were right. Going on two decades now, The Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas tour has been a holiday treat for fans around the country, and it’s a highlight of the group’s year.

It’s a fun, moving, family-friendly good time, Sterban said.

This year’s tour stops in Kennewick on Dec. 5. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the Toyota Center.

Sterban described Christmas Night Out as two shows in one.

The group starts out performing some of its non-holiday hits — from Elvira to Thank God for Kids to Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.

And then it moves into classic holiday fare, from The Christmas Song to more spiritual holiday tunes.

In one popular segment, the guys sit in rocking chairs in front of a fireplace and share what Christmas means to them.

“It gives the audience a chance to know the four Oak Ridge Boys a little better,” the bass singer said.

Along with Sterban, the group includes lead singer Duane Allen, tenor Joe Bonsall and baritone William Lee Golden.

The Oak Ridge Boys date to the 1940s, with the current members joining in the 1960s or 70s.

The Boys have won Grammy, Dove, CMA and ACM awards.

They’re also members of the Grand Ole Opry, and earlier this year they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame — by Kenny Rogers.

“It was so special. To be a part of that great family of artists is such a tremendous honor. It’s also, in a lot of ways, a humbling experience as well. It’s difficult to find the words,” Sterban said.

It’s a bit easier for him to find words for the Christmas show.

“It’s very special,” Sterban said. “We work very hard at it. We love singing Christmas music.”

And they love singing together. After decades side-by-side on stage, the Boys have become the best of friends.

That adds a lot, Sterban said.

“All of us are different, and we all bring something different to the table. We all realized a long time ago that we need each other, so we pull together as a team, a brotherhood. That’s a key part of our success,” Sterban said. “When we come to town and walk on stage, we’ll bring all that history with us.”

Tickets to the Christmas show range from $37 to $57. They’re available through Ticketmaster and the Toyota Center box office. Tickets purchased through the box office avoid service charges.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Oak Ridge Boys bring Christmas show to Kennewick on Dec. 5."