The Oak Ridge Boys Released How Great Thou Art
The group has unveiled a new version of the hymn ahead of their upcoming album, Buried Treasures.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Religious
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The Oak Ridge Boys have released a new recording of the classic hymn How Great Thou Art. This release precedes the group's upcoming 10-song album, Buried Treasures, which is scheduled to drop later this month.
Why it matters
By revisiting songs that have long held personal significance, the legendary group continues to honor their roots while introducing new members to their established musical legacy.
The Oak Ridge Boys have earned 5 GRAMMY Awards, 12 gold albums, and 30 Top 10 hits throughout their career. The new record was produced at Sanctuary Blonde Studio in Nashville.
The players
The Oak Ridge Boys
This American country and gospel vocal quartet was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
Ben James
He is the tenor for the current lineup of the group and provided the inspiration for the new hymn recording.
Richard Sterban
He is the regular bass singer for the group who is currently being filled in for by Aaron Lee McCune.
Anderson East
He is a musician and producer who served as the producer and engineer for the upcoming album.
Dave Cobb
He is an acclaimed record producer who served as the executive producer for the Buried Treasures project.
The details
The new version of the hymn was inspired by a cappella performances by tenor Ben James, who joined the group in 2024. The project was engineered and produced by Anderson East with Dave Cobb serving as executive producer.
Timeline
1967: The Oak Ridge Boys first recorded How Great Thou Art.
2024: Ben James joined the group as a tenor.
October 2, 2026: The group released the single How Great Thou Art.
October 30, 2026: Buried Treasures album release.
December 2026: The current fall tour concludes.
Industry Dynamics
The group's decision to revisit classic hymns follows a pattern of legacy preservation established by their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. This release demonstrates how veteran acts continue to leverage their back catalog to maintain relevance in a shifting music market.
Fans can look forward to the full album release on October 30, 2026, via Lightning Rod Records. The new single is currently available for listeners on digital music platforms.
The takeaway
Revisiting classic material allows long-standing musical acts to bridge the gap between their heritage and new audience members. Implementing this strategy can help artists maintain a consistent connection with their fanbase over several decades.
What happens next
The album Buried Treasures and an official video for the track Live Forever will be released on October 30, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more about the genre in the Religious section.
More information
For the latest tour updates and music releases, visit the official oak ridge boys website.
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