Blake Shelton penned an emotional remembrance of his friend Joe Bonsall upon his passing.
From 1973 to 2024, Joe was a member of The Oak Ridge Boys, a country and gospel group.
On Tuesday, Blake, 48, posted a photo of himself performing live with The Oak Ridge Boys.
It’s unclear exactly when and where the photo was taken.
He posted, “I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsall’s death,” on his Instagram Stories.
“I have never seen Joe without a smile on his face and a genuine smile on his face.”
“He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met,” Blake continued.
His brothers at @theoakridgeboys and his family are in my prayers. We have all lost someone significant today.
Blake and The Oak Ridge Boys released the song “Doing It to Country Songs” in 2016.
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was the cause of his demise.
There is no cure for neuromuscular disorders like ALS. The voluntary muscles of the body are impacted.
Four years after the singer had been ill for four years, fans found out about his sickness in January 2024.
Jennifer and Sabrina were his two daughters from his marriage to Mary Ann. In addition, he had two great-grandchildren and two grandkids.
A news announcement from the Bonsall family stated, “Joseph is also the author of 11 books, including his upcoming memoir, I See Myself, which comes out in November.”
Joe announced his condition and that he was quitting the band.
The Oak Ridge Boys are Joe, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden.
The band’s most well-known tunes include “Elvira,” “Come On In,” “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” and “Bobbie Sue.”
The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 following their five Grammy Awards.
Not a single member of the original lineup remains in the band.Joe took great pleasure in singing. He was a voracious reader. He was a passionate writer. He had a great time picking up the banjo.
Wally Fowler, Little Johnny New, Lon “Deacon” Freeman, and Curly Kinsey formed the group.
American Made: The Farwell, a tour by the Oak Ridge Boys, begins today and runs through December 8.
