The newest Oak can be heard with the other Boys on the group’s latest album Mama’s Boys.
It was the sort of real-life incident that you probably wouldn’t believe — heck, that you might actually jeer — if you saw it in a movie. There was guitarist and tenor vocalist Ben James in Wheeling, West Virginia, on tour with the bluegrass ensemble Dailey & Vincent, when he found himself sharing the bill with The Oak Ridge Boys. James was delighted to be hearing the group he had long admired playing the music he had had long enjoyed. What he didn’t fully realize at the time: The Oaks had been listening to him as well.
And much to his amazement, Joe Bonsall, a decades-long member of the country/gospel group, gestured James over to his mic and asked, “Hey, you want to do the second verse of ‘Elvira?’”
Gulp!
Fortunately for all parties concerned, James quickly overcame his shock, and temporarily took over as tenor. What none of the parties could have predicted: James wasn’t just singing, he was kinda-sorta auditioning.
At the time in 2023, the Oaks were in the middle of what was billed as their annual Christmas tour. By the end of that tour, however, Bonsall realized the show could not go on.
“Many of you know,” he posted on social media, “I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years, and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys, band, crew, and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget, and for those of you who have been constantly holding me up in prayer, I thank you and ask for you to keep on praying.”
James had already been filling in for Bonsall on the road. Bonsall announced that, from that point on, it would be a permanent gig.
“There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there, and he needs your love and encouragement … His sound is different than mine, but 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!!!”
Bonsall passed away last July 9 at age 76. James, a 28-year-old North Carolina native, continues to be an official Oak Ridge Boy. And he can be heard with the other Oaks — William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban and Duan Allen — on their latest album, Mama’s Boys, a heartfelt tribute to not only to the group’s own mothers, but to all the mothers everywhere who have gifted us with life, hope, and unconditional love. Indeed, the LP is a celebration of the profound impact that mothers, and other strong women, have had on our lives.
C&I is proud to premiere a cut from the LP, “Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing,” that showcases James’ rich tenor vocals. And yes: We think Joe Bonsall would be very proud.
We spoke with Ben James recently about becoming an Oak. Here are some highlights from our conversation, edited for brevity and clarity.
Cowboys & Indians: Well, Ben, I’ve got to ask you the obvious question. Were you at all nervous about filling some really big boots?
Ben James: Of course. I think you’d have to be crazy not to be. I still do get nervous, but I count it a true honor. And I’m not trying to fill Joe’s shoes. I could never do that. Nobody could ever do that. But I am honored that I get to step in and try to help these guys out the best that I can.
C&I: Was it advantageous for you to tour with the Oaks for a while, and get your sea legs, before you actually recorded with the group?
James: Yeah. The first couple shows were very nerve-racking, just because these guys are some of my heroes and I grew up on their music. But those are two totally different things, and I would definitely say that during the first few shows, I could have passed out at any moment.
C&I: And that would’ve been perfectly understandable.
James: [Laughs] Yeah, but I’m glad I didn’t.
C&I: Do you remember the moment when it finally dawned on that you really could do this without losing consciousness?
James: Yeah, I would say after getting the first few under my belt, it was like, “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to be so nervous.” Like I said, I finally realized that I’m not Joe. I never tried to be, but I’m just here to sing a part and help these guys the best I can. And at the end of the day, that's all I can do — go out there and give it 110 percent, and give it no less.
“I think once people see me perform and they hear me, they will understand that, again, I’m not there to take Joe's place. Because, man, you can’t.”
C&I: Well, obviously, you must be doing a good job. It looks like every time I turn around they’re expanding this current —quote, unquote — farewell tour.
James: It's what I’m hearing. God only knows when the Oak Ridge Boys will quit.
C&I: Frankly, I wasn’t expecting any new music from the group. But not only do we have another album, Mama’s Boys, you’re part of it. Was it at all intimidating to be in the recording studio as an Oak, as opposed to the stage?
James: Not as much, not as much. Not as much. It’s a more relaxed atmosphere. And man, I had a really good time doing it.
C&I: What’s been the response you’ve received after concerts? I know the Oaks sometimes will go out to meet and greet people after performances. Have you gotten mostly positive feedback?
James: Yeah, most everything’s been positive. I think once people see me perform and they hear me, they will understand that, again, I’m not there to take Joe's place. Because, man, you can’t. I could never replace what Joe did for 50 years. And I'm not trying to.
But I think people are learning that now, and they’re like, “Yeah, this kid’s just trying to be himself.” And they can tell that I know this music from the top down. I’m a fan myself, but I just am blessed to be the guy they chose to step in and sing the tenor line.
C&I: Well, it’s almost like Joe passed the baton on to you, and gave you his blessing, when he handed you the mic at that Wheeling, West Virginia concert.
James: Yeah, exactly. I was not expecting that. That was not planned at all. But he just looked at me and said, “Hey, you want to do the second verse of “Elvira?” And I’m like, “Uh, sure.”
C&I: That must almost be like going to a Rolling Stones concert, and Mick Jagger turns to you and says, “Hey, you want to sing the second verse of ‘Satisfaction’ for me?”
James: [Laughs] Yeah, that’s right. It was pretty wild.
C&I: Finally, what are your long-range plans? You’re obviously going to be touring with the Oaks for a while. But do you want to branch out on your own after this? You recently cut a solo album, right?
James: That's a good question. Yeah, I cut a bluegrass solo album, Wonderland. I would love to have a solo career, or whatever else may come. It seems that throughout my life that whenever doors close, God always opens a new one. That’s just the way it’s always worked. So yeah, man, I would love to have a solo career one day, or be a part of something else when this is over. But Lord only knows when this will be over.