Career

Golden joined Oak Ridge Boys (then a Southern gospel music group) in 1964. Golden is widely known for his waist-length beard and hair, and has become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry. Golden was voted out of The Oak Ridge Boys in 1987, as the other three members wanted to change the band's image. He was replaced by Steve Sanders, but stayed with MCA Records as a solo artist to record an album titled American Vagabond, which included two chart singles. In 1990, he moved to Mercury Records and released "Louisiana Red Dirt Highway".

Sanders left the group in 1995 and Golden returned on New Year's Eve of the same year.

Personal life

Golden lives in Burns, Tennessee with his wife Simone De Staley and his son, Solomon (b. Aug. 10, 2001). He has three older sons, Rusty (b. Jan. 3, 1959), Craig (b. Oct. 20, 1960) and Chris (b. Oct. 17, 1962), and six grandchildren. Golden's sons Rusty and Chris recorded as The Goldens for Epic Records and Capitol Records between 1988 and 1991. They also played in his road band during his solo career.

The "Golden Era Plantation"

Golden's home is called The "Golden Era Plantation." Built in 1786, it is recognized as the oldest brick home in Sumner County, Tennessee. The Federal-style structure was built in 1786, then called "Pilot's Knob," on a military outpost by American Revolutionary War Captain James Franklin, the father of planter and slave trader Isaac Franklin (1789-1846). After the war, he was awarded a land grant to the property.

During the Civil War, the Plantation became a station camp for Confederate soldiers. In order to protect their valuable gold and silver from approaching Union soldiers, the occupants buried the metals in the ground surrounding the house. This gold was later discovered during renovation of the home in 1976.

The area has been struck twice by tornados; once in 1892 and again on April 6, 2006. Originally a two-story building, the second story was removed by the first tornado. Repairs were made leaving it as a single-story home. Following the second tornado, the home's architecture was restored, adding a second story.

As of June, 2015, the property was listed for sale online for $1,025,000.00 US citing its numerous historic qualities.

Discography

Albums

Year	Album		Label
1986	American Vagabond	53	MCA
2000	My Life's Work	—	self-released

Singles

Year	Single	Chart Positions		Album
1986	"Love Is the Only Way Out"	53	58	American Vagabond
	"You Can't Take It with You"	72	52
1990	"Louisiana Red Dirt Highway"	—	—	Non-album songs
	"Keep Lookin' Up"	—	—

Guest singles

Year	Single	Artist		Album
1990	"Tomorrow's World"	Various artists	74	Single only

Music videos

Year	Single
1990	"Louisiana Red Dirt Highway"
	"Keep Lookin' Up"

[ Source: Wikipedia ]