Alabama hall-of-famer to exhibit art

Country and gospel music icon William Lee Golden, of The Oak Ridge Boys, is introducing himself to the Shoals in a new way.

While Golden is known for his baritone vocals, he will present 19 art works in the William Lee Golden Art Collection.

The exhibit will be on display beginning Wednesday and will continue through Nov. 14 at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia.

Golden entered the Hall of Fame in 1997 and said as a South Alabama native, it's an honor to have the

exhibit.

"For the people to be responding to my paintings the way they are, it's a great compliment to me," he said.

The art ranges from earthy landscapes to scenes in nature. Golden's work also includes natural wonders such as the Ozarks and Yosemite

Valley.

He said he is working on painting Trunk Bay in the Virgin Islands, inspired by a family vacation. Golden said he most commonly paints when the band travels and gets the subject ideas when they are on the road. He said it gives him a way to be

creative.

"This is an opportunity to show off my other talents," Golden said about the exhibit.

David Johnson, executive director of the hall of fame, said this is the first exhibit of a hall-of-famer they have hosted.

"We've never gone in this direction," Johnson said. "It adds a whole new dimension to what we're

doing."

Johnson said after seeing the exhibit in Hendersonville, Tenn., where Golden resides, he contacted Golden about bringing it to Alabama. He said making the exhibit available for two months allows people more opportunities to see the art.

"It's just interesting the different landscapes and the different scenes he's picked to paint," Johnson said. "It will encourage people to come see him."

Golden started painting in 2002 after he had explored an interest in art.

"I had always talked about painting," he said.

After expressing it to his wife, the following Christmas, she gave Golden canvases, easels and paint books to begin what was then a hobby.

"That really kick started me into painting," he said.

From there, Golden began studying more art forms and gained interest in the realist style. He said he mostly uses acrylic, especially when traveling, because the material dries quicker. Golden said he takes pictures anytime he travels and later turns them into paintings.

"I see God's hand writing wherever I look," he said. "It kind of keeps me in tune with places I've been."

Golden also released a children's book, "Noah, Didn't It Rain?" based on the Oak Ridge Boys song of the same name. The illustrated short book and the song takes an adaption of the acclaimed Bible story of Noah and the ark.

"It's a song that makes people smile," Golden said.

Kay Waggoner, Golden's publicist, said the exhibit is more significant because Golden is an Alabama native.

"It's always nice for him to be home," Waggoner said.

She described the exhibit as a way for the Hall-of-Fame to honor Golden. Waggoner began working with Golden two years ago and said humility makes him a reward to interact with.

"It's an honor for me to work with him because he is so multi-faceted.

Shelbia Brown can be reached at 740-5733 or shelbia.brown@timesdaily.com.