Monongahela (Remastered) The Oak Ridge Boys

• 1 Gonna Take A Lot Of River 03:00
• 2 I Can Count On You 03:39
• 3 Never Together (But Close Sometimes) 02:23
• 4 No Way Out 03:19
• 5 Beyond Those Years 04:37
• 6 Private Lives 03:16
• 7 Too Many Heartaches 02:57
• 8 Bridges And Walls 03:53
• 9 When Karen Comes Around 04:23
• 10 Taking One Heartbeat 04:36
• Total Runtime 36:03

Info for Monongahela (Remastered)

"Monongahela" is the 14th country studio album by American country music group The Oak Ridge Boys, released in 1988 via MCA Records. The album peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

The album includes three singles that charted on Hot Country Songs: "Gonna Take a Lot of River", which reached number 1, followed by "Bridges and Walls" at number 10 and "Beyond Those Years" at number 7.

"Though Heartbeat was recorded after the dismissal of William Lee Golden, this is the first album in which replacement Steve Sanders was involved from beginning to end in the recording process. Harmonies are understandably more soulful -- and more in tune -- and the project is generally more uplifting. It includes "Gonna Take a Lot of River." (Tom Roland, AMG)

Duane Allen, lead vocals
Joe Bonsall, tenor vocals
Steve Sanders, baritone vocals
Richard Sterban, bass vocals
Additional musicians:
Dewey Dorough, saxophone
Bessyl Duhon, accordion
John Jarvis, piano, synthesizer
Wade Benson Landry, fiddle
Mike Lawler, synthesizer
Rick Marotta, drums
Leland Sklar, bass
Billy Joe Walker, Jr., acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Reggie Young, electric guitar

Produced by Jimmy Bowen

Digitally remastered

The Oak Ridge Boys
rose to popularity in the 1950’s, but not as the southern rock group which became iconic in the 1970’s. The band originally existed as a gospel group, but after nearly two decades of performing in that genre, they changed their sound.

Throughout the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s, the Oak Ridge Boys gave audiences a series of hit albums, including: Sky High (1975), Old Fashioned Down Home (1976), Y’all Come Back Saloon (1977), The Oak Ridge Boys Have Arrived (1979), Together (1980), Fancy Free (1981), Bobbie Sue (1982), Step on Out (1985), Seasons (1986), Monongahela (1988), Unstoppable (1991), and Revival (1997.) The albums spawned the number one country singles: “I’ll Be True to You,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” “Trying to Love Two Woman,” “American Made,” “Love Song,” “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes,” “Everyday,” “Make My Life With You,” “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend,” “It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow),” “This Crazy Love,” “Gonna Take a Lot of River,” and the crossover hits “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue.” For their achievements during this time period, the Oak Ridge Boys earned multiple awards, including American Country Music Awards for Top Vocal Group and Single of the Year (for “Elvira”); CMA Awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year; and Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

In the new millennium, the Oak Ridge Boys have returned to their gospel roots, releasing a number of successful albums: From the Heart (2001), Colors (2003), The Journey (2004), Common Thread (2005), and A Gospel Journey (2009.) Most recently, the Oak Ridge Boys released Back Home Again: Gospel Favorites (2012) and embarked on a 40th anniversary tour in 2013. They continue to tour, perform, and record.

Theirs has been one of the most distinctive and timeless sounds in the music industry for over 50 years, and now The Oak Ridge Boys are bringing their American Made Farewell Tour across the country for an unforgettable night of entertainment for the entire family.

The show will feature many of the group’s country hits and two pop smashes, songs that earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards, as well as garnering a host of other industry and fan accolades.

“When I go on stage, I get the same feeling I had the first time I sang with The Oak Ridge Boys,” says lead singer Duane Allen. “This is the only job I’ve ever wanted to have.”

“‘Elvira’ was always on repeat when I was growing up,” says tenor Ben James. “It’s still one of those timeless songs that never grow old.”

James first met The Oak Ridge Boys in November 2022. “Joe (Bonsall) handed me the mic and said, ‘You’ve got the next verse,’” James said. “I’m not sure I will ever get over that moment.”

A little more than a year later, Bonsall handed the microphone to James permanently.

“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset neuromuscular disorder,” Bonsall recently announced. “I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has been a great 50 years that I will never forget. There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there, and he needs your love and encouragement. He brings a ton of talent to the table. The Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me, but rest assured, I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!”

Allen and James, along with baritone, William Lee Golden, and bass, Richard Sterban, are set to complete the full tour schedule for The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Farewell Tour.

The group recently returned to the studio with Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb, their fifth pairing with the legendary Nashville super-producer.

This album contains no booklet.