By By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
William Lee Golden is a familiar name in the field of music and is certainly well known in his hometown of Brewton.
After singing with the group, The Oak Ridge Boys, for many years, he is being recognized for more than his music. Golden collected and studied art for many years and began painting as an art in 2002. Paintings in Golden's collection include scenes from different locations throughout his touring career with the famous musical group.
For the paintings, Golden takes photographs of scenery when he is on tour and then translates the photos onto canvas. He has can be found creating the one-of-a-kind pieces of art in hotel and dressing rooms before performing on stages across the country.
His work includes several paintings of Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine, where the Oaks visit with former President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. One of his paintings entitled, &#8220Walker's Point Vista,” hangs in a place of honor at the presidential compound.
Another of his paintings, &#8220Ozark Mountain Jubilee,” has been on exhibit at the Gilchrist Museum of Art in Oklahoma for several months.
With some of his art hanging in galleries and other places of honor, more viewers will have an opportunity to enjoy his new-found love for art.
A collection of Golden's paintings will be on exhibit beginning Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the Nashville International Airport. The exhibit will be part of the facility's multi-million dollar renovation project.
The paintings will be on display for six months at the Nashville location. An exhibition tour is planned for airports around the country following the conclusion of the Nashville exhibit.
Golden lives with his wife, Brenda and son, Solomon in an historical home near Nashville. The home was built in 1786 and is referred to as The Golden Era by residents in the area.
The home was built by Revolutionary War Captain James Franklin and served as a station camp for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
It is said that when the plantation's occupants heard that the Union Army was approaching, the family buried their gold and silver before leaving.
During renovations in 1976, more than $12,000 in pre-Civil War golden coiins were discovered in the basement of the home.
The home recently underwent a second restoration following being damaged by a tornado that struck the area in April of last year.
Golden and his family have returned to the home where many of the singer's art pieces are displayed.
Golden is the son of Ruth Golden and the brother of Lanette Lowery of Brewton.