Oak Ridge Boys' Richard Sterban Diagnosed With Cancer

Richard Sterban, the longtime deep‑bass singer for the Oak Ridge Boys who joined the group in 1972, announced he was diagnosed with cancer in March and has been off the road since mid‑May. Most outlets report the diagnosis as pancreatic cancer, though at least one report described it as prostate cancer, creating a discrepancy in coverage. Sterban, 82, said he is under the care of top cancer doctors, asked fans for prayers and is hopeful he will return to touring within several months. He last performed with the group at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May, and Aaron McCune and Tim Duncan have been filling in for him on tour. The Oak Ridge Boys remain active with scheduled shows into late 2025 and 2026, and Sterban thanked fans for their support while saying he is feeling well on most days.