The titular query above begs the question of whether or not the gospel and country vocal quartet was ever truly cool in the first place, of course. Growing up with a mainstream country station on my parental unit’s radio station in the 70s and 80s, it was impossible to avoid the Oaks, and I still believe that many of their hits stand up due to the excellent gospel-based harmonies.
The reason I’m pondering their cool factor is the recent announcement that the Oak Ridge Boys will be participating in this year’s South by Southwest, an event that’s typically reserved for those acts deemed hip, current, or soon to be that way–not sure the Oaks fit into that mold.
They have, however, been around the musical block a few times, and they’ll be participating in a seminar or panel discussion event that may give them a chance to impart some wisdom to those gathered.
If they get to sing, rest assured the guys still sound great. Here’s a clip from last year in Nashville when they sang a cameo “Elvira” at a Shooter Jennings show, of all places. Guess maybe they’re still cool after all, huh?
