This year showed us many good and not the greatest albums from longtime names like Shania Twain, Wynonna Judd and the list goes on and on into 2027, and now the Oak Ridge Boys throw their name into the hat.But you know what I dislike about new albums from Legends like this? When they only contain one actual new song? I love live and cover albums, but with so many talented songwriters out there now WHY NOT cut 100% new songs? Royalties? So they don’t have to tour? For whichever reason it is still a wonderful album full of many classic songs, and their version is good.
I have a plethora of respect for the Oak Ridge Boys for holding true to their Opry membership and performing so much, when they clearly could retire and rightfully so! They put in their money and their miles to enjoy the benefits of the later years. They all do their side projects and other obligations, so touring is something they do not need to even fathom anymore, even though they do. Besides, who doesn’t love a Billy Joe Shaver song?
When you read this press release, I want you to please focus on some of these songwriters like Aaron Raitiere, and Anderson East. Aaron lives over in Pleasant View not far from me on the Tn/Ky line here. He is a very talented songwriter, and an all around good guy who is interesting to talk to on many subjects, and it kind of flummoxes me that their songs are not cut by many?
| New album arrives October 30 via Lightning Rod Records; title track “Buried Treasure” is out today and pre-order is now open |
| NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 2, 2026) — The Oak Ridge Boys today announce Buried Treasures, a deeply personal new collection arriving October 30 via Lightning Rod Records. The album’s title track, “Buried Treasure” — its only newly written song — is available today, alongside album pre-orders at HERE. Produced and engineered by Anderson East and executive produced by GRAMMY Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, Buried Treasures finds one of American music’s most enduring vocal groups returning to songs that have long lived in their hearts. Recorded at Sanctuary Blonde Studio in Nashville, the 10-song set brings the Oaks’ unmistakable harmony to enduring works of faith, friendship, comfort and love. “Every song on the album is about something that’s dear to us. These songs are all buried treasures — great songs we’ve loved and sung for years, and this is the first time we’ve brought them all together on one record.”— Duane Allen From Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” to “Stardust,” “What a Wonderful World” and Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever,” the collection honors songs that helped shape the group’s musical life. Their gospel foundation shines through on “Deep River,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Softly and Tenderly,” while “You Are So Beautiful” adds a tender, romantic close. “It was a lot of fun, reaching back to some of these classic songs. I feel like this album touched on our love of life, love of family, love of our mates that we’ve chosen in life, and also the love of God.”— William Lee Golden The album’s lone new composition, “Buried Treasure,” was written specifically for the project by GRAMMY-winning songwriter Aaron Raitiere, who also co-wrote “Come On Home” for the Oaks’ 2024 album Mama’s Boys. Its arrival begins a fall campaign that continues October 2 with “How Great Thou Art,” followed by the album’s October 30 street date and the official video for focus track “Live Forever.” “The Oak Ridge Boys are country music legends. I’m honored they’ve recorded my songs.”— Aaron Raitiere Buried Treasures also reaches back to a pivotal chapter of the group’s history. A friendship between Duane Allen and Paul Simon led the Oaks to perform and record with Simon in the late 1970s, most notably on his No. 5 pop hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.” Nearly fifty years later, their reading of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” opens the album — and another chapter in a body of work that continues to connect gospel, country and American popular music. “Getting to watch them work out parts, and who’s singing what – it was incredible to see it all happen. Everything was in the moment. Also, their enthusiasm was amazing. It’s so inspiring to see a group of guys at this point in their career still excited, wanting to be there, and thoughtful about everything.” — Anderson East The Oak Ridge Boys, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Joe Bonsall, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Ben James stepped in to replace Bonsall shortly before his death in 2024. This is James’ second album with the group. Tim Duncan, who briefly toured with the group due to Sterban’s ongoing health issues, carries many of the bass vocal parts on Buried Treasures . Buried Treasures is available in CD and deluxe gold vinyl LP variants as well as across all digital services. Listen / Pre-order: HERE. BURIED TREASURES — TRACK LISTING:Bridge Over Troubled WaterBuried TreasureDeep RiverHow Great Thou ArtLean on MeLive ForeverSoftly and TenderlyStardustWhat a Wonderful WorldYou Are So Beautiful. |
