An Oak Ridge Boys veteran died earlier this month. Gospel singer (Wesley) Calvin Newton, — the quartet’s lead singer for 3 years within the Fifties — preceded the 4 present members of the group, however the band was set to pay tribute to him throughout a funeral in Georgia on Monday (March 13).
Newton is a Korean Conflict veteran, member of the GMA Gospel Music Corridor of Fame and the Tri State Gospel Music Affiliation Corridor of Fame. His obituary notes his almost 10 years of performing expertise earlier than he was requested to hitch the Oak Ridge Quartet after being discharged.
“Crying within the Chapel” and “I Consider” have been two songs they recorded that Newton was featured on.
In 1957 he’d transition to the Sons of Track, however shortly after a severe automobile accident in 1958, the group took a brief break. He’d proceed to guide or participate in reconfigurations of this group for the following a number of many years, to the purpose that news coverage of his demise recalled him as excessive tenor for Sons of Track earlier than being an early member of the Oaks.
“He was the sweetest tenor voice you will ever hear,” Joe Bonsall writes on Twitter.
Newton moved to Lookout Mountain, Ga. in 1988, and it is there he died on March 3. Spouse Joyce preceded him in demise.
“A blessing to see and sing with so many longtime expensive mates,” the Oak Ridge Boys write on Twitter. “We’re singing ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken.'”
Calvin Newton leaves behind a son named Wesley, daughter named Jackie and their respective households, plus prolonged household. A celebration of life passed off on March 13, with the graveside service occurring on Tuesday (March 14).
The model of the Oak Ridge Boys followers know in the present day started to take form when William Lee Golden and Duane Allen joined the quartet in 1965. Richard Sterban and Bonsall would be a part of a number of years later, they usually’d get pleasure from appreciable gospel success earlier than changing into nation music hitmakers.
The 50 Saddest Nation Songs of All Time
Every one of many 50 saddest nation songs of all time tells a narrative. A few of these tales are in regards to the ache of heartbreak, whereas others discover the grief of dropping a cherished one. Some are about extra unconventional subject material — from infertility to the lack of the beloved household canine — whereas others faucet into the common topics of heartbreak and loneliness. Flip via the gallery under for an inventory of the saddest nation songs, ever.
