William Lee Golden

William Lee Golden (born January 12, 1939), a native of Brewton, Alabama, is an American country music singer. Since 1965, he has been the baritone singer in the country music group The Oak Ridge Boys.

Personal life

Golden lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee with his wife, Brenda, and their son. He also has three older sons and six grandchildren. In 2008, his mother, poet Rutha May Golden, died.

Career

Golden joined The Oak Ridge Boys (then a Southern Gospel group) in 1965. He is credited with pushing the group to move in a more innovative direction in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The decision would eventually get them snubbed in Southern Gospel Music but would lead to worldwide success and fame by 1981 after they transitioned to Country and Pop music. 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 and replaced by Steve Sanders, also a former gospel singer. Sanders left the group in 1995 and Golden returned on New Year's Eve, 1995.

Art

Golden is not only a singer, but enjoys painting as well. Whenever he gets a chance to, he paints things that he has seen on the road with the Oak Ridge Boys. He has painted a painting called "Bush Garden" for former first lady Barbara Bush, which he enhanced, upon their arrival to their home in Maine on September 3, 2007. Barbara hung the piece in their main bugalow called "The Wamby."

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 Revolutionary War Captain James Franklin. 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 tornados; 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.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Guest singles

References

• "Biography." William Lee Golden. 25 October 2007.
• "Golden Era Plantation." William Lee Golden. 25 October 2007.

External links

• Official website