The iconic country music band the Oak Ridge Boys (formerly known as the Oak Ridge Quartet) is mourning the passing of Calvin Newton, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 93.
In the 1950s, Newton spent the first three years of his musical career as the main singer for the Oak Ridge Boys, a group best recognized at the time for their gospel songs.
He also became a member of the Sons of Songs in the late 1950s, and he remained active with them for many years after that.
Newton didn’t play in the version of the Oak Ridge Boys quartet that the most of us are familiar with (Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban), but he contributed to the foundation’s durability.
Over the years, the quartet’s members have come and gone, but the “brotherhood” of Oak Ridge Boys performers (past and present) has remained supportive of one another. Newton appeared on two songs from the Oak Ridge Boys’ discography: “I Believe” and “Crying in the Church”.
The Oak Ridge Boys’ remaining members attended Newton’s services today, according to a post from the group’s official Twitter account:
It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. According to his obituary, he was a versatile soldier for the US military who used both his singing talent and medical expertise:
After completing basic training, Newton deployed to Tokorozawa, Japan, where he worked as a doctor and performed at two nightclubs in Tokyo, the Rocker Four Club and the Crystal Ballroom (both clubs under one roof). In 1953, Calvin received an honorable discharge.
The Tri State Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame both inducted Newton for his work in gospel music. At Newton’s funeral, the current iteration of the Oak Ridge Boys sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” in tribute, along with past members and other musical ensembles. The Oak Ridge Boys posted on social media that having so many old, close friends there to perform with was a blessing.
Since performing with his parents on a Saturday morning radio show when he was six years old, the talented Calvin Newton has been sharing his magnificent singing voice. At a young age, Newton claimed that singing in church came as naturally to him as speaking.
Although Newton’s passing from this world, his influence and contributions to gospel and country music will endure far beyond his time on Earth.