Award-winning gospel songwriter Rusty Golden, 65, died at his home in Hendersonville, TN, on Monday, July 1. He was the son of Oak Ridge Boys’ band member William Lee Golden and the late Frogene Normand.
In a statement released by the band, William Lee Golden said his son’s death was “the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face. I love my family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter, and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”
Golden was named for his father but became known as Rusty at an early age.
An Alabama native, Golden grew up in a music-filled home, according to press reports. At age seven, he moved with his family to Nashville, where his father’s group was focusing on gospel music. The Oak Ridge Boys later gained tremendous success after crossing over to country and pop.
Beginning His Musical Career
Rusty’s paternal grandmother influenced his first attempts at songwriting. Her poems were frequently published in the hometown newspaper, and he wrote his first song by setting some of her poetry to music. His paternal great-grandfather was an early influence, as well.
The young Golden was a skilled drummer by age 12 and began playing for a popular gospel group — The Rambos — by age 13. But he changed gears after becoming enamored with the piano after attending an Elton John concert.
He taught himself to play and by age 17, was touring with Larry Gatlin. Six years after beginning piano, he played keyboard with Gatlin on “Love Is Just a Game,” which hit No. 1. By age 20, he was recording for ABC Records and briefly playing drums for the Oak Ridge Boys.
Rusty Golden’s Early Songs
The young musician helped form The Boys Band, which hit Billboard’s Hot 100 with the single “Please Don’t Stop Me Baby.” The group disbanded in 1984. That same year, Golden received a Gold plaque for his songwriting work on The Oak Ridge Boys’ Bobbie Sue album.
Shortly afterward, he joined with his brother Chris and third generation musician Marc Speer to create the Golden Speer group. Their album was not released, and in 1985, Golden and his brother recorded as The Goldens. In 1990, they released the Rush for Gold album, which contained Take Me Back to the Country, Long Gone and Keep The Faith.
Changing Gears to Gospel
Following quadruple bypass surgery, Golden decided to return to his gospel roots as a songwriter. He had several No. 1 southern gospel hits, and two songs – What Salvation’s Done for Me and I Want to Thank You – earned him Song of the Year awards.
Golden joined with his brother Chris and his father to start a family band called William Lee Golden and The Goldens. From 2020 to 2021, they released 34 songs and added several other family members to the band. And only last year, the younger Golden was named Keyboard Player of the Year by the Josie Music Awards.
A “Mega-Talent”
“Rusty Golden’s EP Confessions is a perfect blend of modern country sounds and old school storytelling songwriting. They rarely write these kinds of well-crafted tunes anymore,” legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo said of Golden’s songs.
Songwriter Dianne Wilkinson called Golden “mega-talented.” And Gerald Crabb, a songwriter and author, praised Golden’s mastery of “basically every genre of music,” as well as his musical experience, which he carried over to Christian music audiences.
Country Music Hall of Famer Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys noted that Rusty Golden relied “on the power of his great relationship with Jesus Christ to conquer the powers that would derail most people….”
Information about the funeral is pending and will be announced at www.williamleegoldenandthegoldens.com.
RIP Rusty Golden.
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