About Us
Band
Don Carr (lead guitar) Born in Wayne, MI, and raised in Henderson, KY, Don is the only member of his family who has musical talent. He began singing as a toddler, even before he had mastered talking. Picking up a discarded guitar, Don took lessons at the YMCA. He practiced at home by listening to records and learning to imitate the guitar licks. Beginning at age 15, Don played guitar in a club band, later joining a rock band whose members wrote and recorded their own material. The group won grand prize in a radio station-sponsored contest, and Don was hooked on the music business! Attending North Texas State in Denton and Belmont College in Nashville, he pursued music majors. It was while studying at Belmont that he began making friends in the country music industry, eventually leading to his first major road job, playing with David Slater. Later Don traveled with Shelly West, Earl Thomas Conley, and Marie Osmond. He joined The Oaks Band in 1991 to play lead guitar, but Don also plays the drums and says that he has a ‘percussive attitude’ toward the guitar, which he describes as ‘very rhythmic.’
Chris Golden (drums and percussion) A second generation of the Oaks’ organization, Chris Golden was two in 1964 when his father William Lee Golden joined the Oak Ridge Boys. In elementary school, Chris was already learning to play drums. By the time he graduated high school, he was touring with his brother Rusty in The Boys Band, a Pop music act that recorded an album for Elektra/Asylum. Around this time Chris started singing. Within a year he was performing solo, making his lead vocal debut on the hit TV show Hee Haw. At age 20, he joined the Canadian group Cedar Creek. In the late ‘80s, Chris—paired with his brother Rusty as The Goldens—recorded albums for Epic and for Capitol Records. Chris also produced and directed one of their music videos. The brothers racked up several chart singles. In 1995, Chris began performing with the Oaks, playing guitar, mandolin, and harmonica and filling in on keyboards and drums. In July of 1998, this multi-talented man, who also has charted songwriter credits, became the Oaks’ full-time drummer. He has been the voice of Heinz 57 as national radio spokesman and enjoyed a brief stint with country-rock legends the Flying Burrito Brothers. His latest solo project, “CenterStage,” garnered rave reviews from Billboard magazine. Chris enjoys studio work and produces various acts. In 2000, he produced William Lee Golden’s CD box set, “My Life’s Work.” Chris can also be heard on the Oaks’ recent CDs, “From The Heart,” “An Inconvenient Christmas” and “The Journey.” He and his wife Kimberly, their daughters Elizabeth and Rebekah, and their son Elijah live near Nashville. To learn more about Chris, log on to www.chrisgolden.net.
Jimmy Fulbright (bass guitar) Jimmy was born in Columbus, GA, but he “grew up everywhere” because his father was in the Air Force. He’s been interested in music since early childhood and credits his grandfather as his musical mentor. He is proficient on piano and loves to sing. He also plays guitar and drums. With a diverse professional music background, he has played keyboards and/or bass for Gospel acts, such as the Dixie Echoes, as well as Country acts, Donna Fargo, Earl Thomas Conley, Lee Greenwood and T. Graham Brown. Jimmy also has 12 years of experience at production theaters in Branson, MO, and Pigeon Forge, TN. He originally joined The Oaks Band in the summer of 2001. He left for a short while and returned in 2003. His chief philosophy in life is ‘work hard and be prepared to change plans if the first one doesn’t work out!’
Jeff Douglas (guitar and dobro) Jeff Douglas was born and raised in Kentucky, spending most of his early years in the small town of Paris. An only child, his dad worked for the Post Office and his mom worked for the local school system. Wh ile attending the University of Kentucky, Jeff began working at a music store repairing and building guitars. It was in the local music scene that he met longtime friend, Paul Martin. Through this friendship he met the Oaks. In 1995, Jeff moved to the Nashville area to take a job as the ORB Band Tech. He was later promoted to Stage Manager. Jeff has played the guitar since he was sixteen and in 1999, when the Oaks needed a bit of extra “fill” in the show, he started playing three or four songs on rhythm guitar. However, he played offstage while also attending to his production work! In 2004, the Oaks released their Bluegrass-flavored The Journey CD. Jeff immediately bought a dobro and learned to play it so he could contribute to an additional four or five songs on the show. However, when playing the dobro he walks onstage—no longer a ghost player! In his spare time Jeff enjoys woodworking, tennis, photography, and recording. He is single and has no children.
Rex Wiseman (fiddle, pedal steel, guitar, mandolin) Rex Wiseman is the newest member of the Oaks Band, joining in 2006. Born and raised in Birdseye, Indiana, Rex grew up in a musical family. His father, four brothers, and sister were “back porch” pickers, playing mostly for their own enjoyment. Rex, who was the youngest, learned to play the mandolin at age five. Eventually he taught himself to play fiddle, guitar, pedal steel, electric bass, dobro, banjo, and mandolin. At the ripe old age of 11, Rex became a “professional,” earning money by playing in a local Country band with his brother. When he was 16, he put together his own band. Then in 1980, he moved to Nashville to work with Little David Wilkins. He subsequently worked with John Conlee, Bill Anderson, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Yates, Phillip Claypool, and Clay Walker. Rex’s early dream was for a solo record deal. His timing was less than perfect, however, because Contemporary Country was in vogue in the early eighties, and he played and sang traditional style. He finally gave up on solo aspirations in May 1985, two months before Randy Travis became an “overnight” sensation! Timing is everything! Rex has persevered through the turns his life has taken. Losing his mom at an early age, he learned the value of family and the importance of every moment. He has two daughters, Mary Jo and Kady, as well as three granddaughters. Rex, his wife Kim, and daughter Kady live in the Nashville area. In addition to music, another one of Rex’s lifelong passions has been horses and horse training.
Chris Nole (Keyboards) Born in Valley Forge, PA, songwriter-composer, accomplished session musician, producer, and recording artist, Chris Nole has toured internationally and recorded with some of the best known acts in the music industry, including John Denver and Faith Hill. Chris’ songs have been recorded by a number of artists, from Faith Hill to The Swamphonkys, and used in various television productions (NBC's Heroes, E’s True Hollywood Story, and CBS’ Evening Shade).
“I’ve been influenced by every great talent I’ve been fortunate enough to work with, whether on the stage or in the studio,” Chris says. “Every time I sit at the piano I learn something new. That’s what keeps me coming back for more! Music fuels the fire inside of me.”
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