Background
Golden, William Lee was born on January 12, 1939 in Brewton, Alabama, United States. Son of Luke and Ruth Mae (Morgan) Golden.
Golden, William Lee was born on January 12, 1939 in Brewton, Alabama, United States. Son of Luke and Ruth Mae (Morgan) Golden.
Between 1965 and 1987, and again since December 1995, he has been the baritone singer in the country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. 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 Master of Computer Applications 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. 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 United States citing its numerous historic qualities.
Member of American Federation of television and Radio Artists, National Academy Recording Arts and Sciences, Country Music Association, Academy Country Music., Gospel Music Association.
Children: William Lee, Craig, Christopher.