Oak Ridge Boys Meet the Dukes of Dixieland

Cross-genre collaborations are nothing new, but few are as interesting as the upcoming album, 'When Country Meets Dixie,' which combines the talents of the Oak Ridge Boys and the Dukes of Dixieland brass band. Imagine a Dixieland band behind the country quartet's monster '80s hit, 'Elvira.' Or the big band sound of New Orleans jazz with trumpet, trombone, clarinet and sax backing the Oaks' gospel tunes.

"I don't think there is any way possible to sing or listen to Dixieland music without being happy," Duane Allen, the Oaks lead singer, tells The Boot. "The idea of working with the Dukes brought smiles to our faces because, even though we did not know exactly where it would wind up, we knew the journey would be fun."

The recording was hatched by the two groups' managers, John Shoup and Jim Halsey. The idea sparked over dinner, and before dessert and coffee were served, a plan was formulated. In just a few short hours, the core outline for 'When Country Meets Dixie' was born. Finalizing the deal was just a matter of telling the Oaks and the Dukes the studio date, and bringing on veteran producer James Stroud to oversee the project.

"Initially, we wanted to have this little get-together to see if it worked musically," explains James, who has produced a list of country greats including Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Chris Young. "We wanted to incorporate some of the sounds the Dukes brought from New Orleans and combine it with what the Oak Ridge Boys bring with their history and successes in gospel and country. The project wound up creating its own sound. The album is the result of two great American art forms colliding. It's the most unique thing that we may hear musically for a long time."

Meeting in a Nashville recording studio over a year ago, the Dukes and the Oak Ridge Boys combined their talents to record four songs together. Among them is a remake of the Oaks' 1981 smash, 'Elvira.' Combining the energy and sounds of Dixieland and the harmonies of the Oaks gave the 30-year-old song a funky ragtime groove. They also recorded a version of 'Little Talk With Jesus' that has the distinctive Oaks sound with a side of Dixieland thrown in. Another Oaks hit, 'Bobbie Sue,' takes on a rumba-boogie interpretation and the gospel classic, 'Unclouded Day' has an authentic New Orleans street beat.

To Duane, Dixieland jazz is "organized improvisation." He says recording with the Dukes was an interesting experience.

"When they were in the studio with us, sometimes it seemed that they were just doing 'whatever the felt like doing' and maybe they were. However, they all knew where they were going, how they were going to get there, and when they would all arrive at the same place. It was like listening to, and watching, organized chaos. But it was so much fun, hearing our songs with the kick and energy of the Dukes, duking it out on our songs."

Other songs on the CD include the Tennessee Ernie Ford novelty tune 'Fatback Louisiana' and Ernest Tubb's 'Nails in My Coffin.' Also included is the ballad 'Back in New Orleans.' Newcomer Callaway McCord gives a rousing rendition of Hank Williams' 'Jambalaya,' Fats Domino's 'I'm Walkin',' and Rockin' Sidney's zydeco classic, 'Don't Mess with My Toot Toot.' Another newcomer, Lathan Moore, sings 'Are You From Dixie,' 'Just a Closer Walk With Thee' and 'I Can't Fight the Moonlight.'

The Dukes, official Goodwill Ambassadors for the City of New Orleans, have been on the city's notorious music scene since 1974. Their Dixieland sound has been combined with orchestras including the Boston Pops and New York Pops in Carnegie Hall. Previous collaborations have included working with former Blood Sweat & Tears singer Luther Kent and a gospel CD with Moses Hogan and the New Orleans Gospel Choir. The group's home base for the past 20 years has been the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Duane says that while nothing is firm at this time, there has been talk of the two groups doing some shows together. In the meantime, the Oak Ridge Boys have a new gospel project that "covers about every decade of gospel music," he says. "New songs, familiar songs, spiritual songs, classics, and a few surprises." It was produced by Ben Isaacs of the Isaacs and will be out in May.