11 S5 Kaden Collins on Grief, Hope & the Oak Ridge Boys

For Kaden Collins, Time Has Made a Change in Me by the Oak Ridge Boys, is a song he appreciates not just because it sounds good, but because it show up when he need them most. Kaden loves the interpretation of version from William Lee Golden performing this song.

Kaden talked about how this song helped him through the loss of his grandmother. His love for the Oak Ridge Boys started early, but it became something deeper after that moment. The lyrics, the message, and the sound all hit differently when he was grieving.

The Oak Ridge Boys have been performing for decades. They started out in the 1940s as a gospel group called the Oak Ridge Quartet. Over time, they became known for their mix of gospel and country music. In the 1970s, they shifted more into mainstream country and began releasing chart-topping hits like Elvira, Bobbie Sue, and American Made. They’ve won Grammy Awards and CMA Awards and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. One of their most well-known members, William Lee Golden, is the voice behind Time Has Made a Change in Me.

That song was actually written in the 1920s by Harkins Frey. It’s been recorded by many artists, but the version Kaden connected with most was William Lee Golden’s. The lyrics talk about how time changes everything—friends, places, and who we are. It became a comfort to Kaden, especially when he was processing the death of someone he was close to. It's also William who had been an example to Kaden of having the mindset to not stop.

He told the story of how, on the day his grandmother passed, he still went to school. At an assembly that day, the song played in the background while teachers and classmates offered their support. That moment stuck with him. It felt important. It gave him peace and helped him feel connected to his teachers and her, even though she was gone. It's that same staff that made Kaden believe in himself through his journey with Autism.

That connection led him to start his podcast, The KGC Show. He wanted to do something that honored his grandmother and gave him a way to share stories and stay connected to people. Over time, the podcast became a space for him to grow and build something meaningful.

Through that journey, Kaden ended up meeting William Lee Golden. He connected with Jeff Panzer who worked on the Oak Ridge Boys’ team and, after a few steps, got to speak directly with the man whose voice had made such a difference in his life. It was a full-circle moment, and one he’ll never forget. Kaden appreciates specifically William Lee Golden performing this song. Jeff Panzer is now a dear friend of Kaden's.

This story shows how much a song can matter. It’s not just about the music—it’s about how it fits into our lives, how it supports us, and how it brings people together. Kaden’s story is a reminder that music can be more than entertainment. It can be a way to process change, loss, and growth.

Kaden didn’t set out to do something big. He just followed what mattered to him. He turned a moment of grief into a way to reach others. He took the memory of someone he loved and created something that helps people feel seen and heard.

If you’ve ever had a song that meant something to you, you’ll understand why this one mattered so much to Kaden. It became a way to stay grounded, to keep going, and to remember that time can change us—but it can also move us forward.

Time Has Made A Change In Me (the song)

Catch the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Connect with Kaden Collins: on Facebook @KadenCollins

Kaden's Podcast on YouTube: The KGC Show

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