On May 3, 2012, legendary country and gospel artist, William Lee Golden, of the Oak Ridge Boys, paused a recording session to speak to Broken Records Magazine’s Cindy Vasko about his craft. With over thirty million album sales, 150 tour dates per year, a host of Grammy awards, inductions into the Grand Ole Opry and Gospel Music Hall of Fame, an upcoming performance at the CMA Fest on June 7-10, 2012, and an Oak Ridge Boys fall 2012 release Christmas album, one would think Golden had little time for anything else.
What might not be known to many is that Golden is also a prolific painter. His impressionism style acrylic paintings have been featured in galleries, museums and private collections across the United States, including the Tennessee State Museum, Gilcrease Museum of Art in Oklahoma, and the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Texas. Golden is also the first artist to be featured on the labels of Vietti canned goods and products. Golden noted, “I started painting about ten years ago. I always loved going to museums and galleries and have an appreciation of art. I take photographs, and I especially photograph landscapes, and think these would make great paintings.” He added, “I have always been inspired by music and art.”
Golden is appreciative of his many successes and said, “I love people and am so thankful to have the opportunity to sing, travel, record and I appreciate every memory, every new experience, every treasure. I am thankful for life, my family, the opportunity to sing with the Oak Ridge Boys and the opportunity to showcase my paintings. Life is good. I feel blessed and so honored.”
Read the article online at Broken Records Online.