Rusty Golden, the son of The Oak Ridge Boys‘ William Lee Golden who went on to his personal profitable profession as a rustic and gospel music singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, died July 1, at his house in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 65.
A reason for demise was not disclosed.
“That is the toughest factor ever for a father to must face,” stated William Lee Golden in an announcement saying his son’s demise. “I like my household greater than something. Rusty was a fantastic musician, a gifted songwriter, and an exquisite son. We admire your ideas and prayers for the times forward. I like you, son.”
Born William Lee Golden Jr., on January 3, 1959, in Brewton, AL, Golden was known as Rusty whereas nonetheless a child, and the identify caught. By age 12 he already was a proficient drummer and at 13 started enjoying professionally as a member of The Rambos, that includes the songwriter Dottie Rambo.
His music-making took an enormous flip when he attended an Elton John live performance in 1972: Gone have been the drums in favor of John’s chosen instrument, the piano. By 17 he was touring with nation hitmaker Larry Gatlin, enjoying piano on Gatlin’s 1977 studio album Love Is Only a Sport. Different session credit embrace Marty Stuart’s 1999 idea album The Pilgrim, amongst many others.
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Within the early Nineteen Eighties Golden co-founded country-rock group The Boys Band, whose 1982 debut album included the minor pop hit “Don’t Cease Me Child (I’m on Fireplace).” In 1984 Golden acquired an RIAA Gold Report for his songwriting contributions on The Oak Ridge Boys album Bobbie Sue.
A yr later he started writing songs and recording with third-generation gospel singer Marc Speer as Golden Speer, together with Golden’s brother Chris. They recorded a challenge for CBS Information that went unreleased, however Rusty and Chris pressed on as The Goldens and inked with Epic Information in 1986. They launched a pair of singles that made Billboard’s Scorching Nation Songs chart in 1988 — “Put Us Collectively Once more” and “Sorry Women” — and recorded an album that was shelved.
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The Goldens then signed with Capitol/SBK Information, and their 1990 album Rush for Gold produced the country-charting single “Preserve the Religion.”
Following a quadruple bypass, Golden returned to his gospel roots, writing, amongst different songs, “What Salvation’s Completed for Me” for The Sales space Brothers and “I Wish to Thank You” for Karen Peck & New River. He additionally launched two solo albums, the Christian-focused Angels and recovery-themed Sober.
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In 2020-21, the Golden brothers and father William Lee recorded and launched 34 songs as The Goldens, performing a number of occasions on the Grand Ole Opry. In 2023, Golden stepped on the Opry stage to just accept Keyboard Participant of the 12 months by the Josie Music Awards.
Golden is survived by his father William Lee Golden; stepmother Simone; brothers Craig, Chris and Solomon Golden; and different prolonged members of the family. He was preceded in demise by mom Frogene Normand, and grandparents Luke & Rutha Mae Golden and Elliot & Estelle Normand.
