The Oak Ridge Boys attempt to inject relevance into long-dead career by singing to Poppy Bush

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Oak Ridge Boys Sing for Ailing George H.W. Bush
Country veterans serenade 88-year-old former president

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/oak-ridge-boys-sing-for-ailing-george-h-w-bush-20121230



December 30, 2012 11:45 AM ET

Longtime country music institution the Oak Ridge Boys serenaded an ailing George H.W. Bush over the phone Friday, reaching the former president at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, where he was being treated for bronchitis and a fever. Doctors say Bush, 88, is improving, and he was moved out of intensive care Saturday.

The group was on vacation when they heard from former First Lady Barbara Bush, who requested they sing for her husband. The bandmembers convened at their office and contacted the Bushes, singing one of their signature songs, "Elvira," and part of "Amazing Grace" for the ex-president.

"We blasted some 'oom pop a mau maus' in the direction of Houston, Texas," reported Joe Bonsall, who has been with the long-running group since the early Seventies.

"This friendship goes back many years," said Bush's office in a statement, "and what happened yesterday gave the president a real shot in the arm."

[Buzz Clik]

1. I like it! What a kind gesture.

[monmouth3]

2. I agree, a nice thing to do. It costs nothing to be nice and if the ole man enjoyed it, good..n/t

[dsc]

3. It was a nice thing to do

They aren't my cup of tea but I heard part of their version of Halleluah Chorus on my way up to Ohio and it was quite good.

[yellowcanine]

4. Is that a promo for "The Hobbit"?

I didn't realize Gandalf was part of the Oak Ridge Boys.

[Enrique]

5. they go way back

I remember when he was running for president, or maybe when he was president, he was a fan of theirs.

[Panasonic]

6. Why is ZZ-Top in front of these has-beens?

[VOX]

7. Straight Outta Branson. N/t