The Oak Ridge Boys (with their current line-up) have been entertaining fans for parts of five decades.  This past Saturday night at the Pabst Theater the Oaks treated a small but enthusiastic audience to a nice blend of old favorites and some new tunes.  The "Boys" aren't exactly kids anymore; Joe Bonsall is the youngest at age 64, and William Lee Golden is past his 70th birthday (no word on exactly how old his beard is).  But they still seem to enjoy performing (they do about 150 shows a year) and still have one of the most unique sounds in country music, thanks in no small part to the bass stylngs of Richard Sterban.  Duane Allen doesn't hit quite as many high notes as he used to, but that's not a problem.  Some of the older hits have been re-worked for a little fresher sound, and they also tossed in a couple of new tunes.  They also surprised me with a very nice rendition of the John Denver song "Back Home Again." 

After the show I got to thinking: I've seen the Oak Ridge Boys at least 6 or 7 times over the years.  I hope to see them a few more times.  And I also hope they'll find their way into the Country Music Hall of Fame sometime soon.  That's an honor that's more than overdue.