When the news broke that Joe Bonsall, the beloved vocalist of the Oak Ridge Boys, had passed away on Tuesday, July 9, a wave of sadness swept through the country music community. Bonsall, who had retired from touring with the group in January, left an indelible mark on the industry, not just for his musical contributions but for his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication to the Oak Ridge Boys.
Bonsall’s departure from the group had seen him replaced by a young singer named Ben James, who admirably filled his shoes during the group’s farewell tour. However, as many would agree, Joe Bonsall was irreplaceable in ways that transcended his vocal talents. The Country Music Hall of Fame, which inducted Bonsall and the Oak Ridge Boys in 2015, aptly described him as the group’s “sparkplug” in an online tribute.
Joe Bonsall was more than just a singer; he was the Oak Ridge Boys’ biggest cheerleader, an unabashed fan, a PR maestro, and a relentless promoter. His passion for the group was evident in every interview and public appearance. When I first interviewed him in 2014, his genuine enthusiasm for the Oak Ridge Boys was palpable. He spoke with the excitement of someone embarking on their first album, a rare quality in a seasoned musician.
“Far from projecting the seen-it-all cynicism of many career musicians, Bonsall speaks as enthusiastically about the new project and his fellow band members as if this were his first album, and it’s contagious,” I wrote at the time. His passion was not an act; it was a testament to his love for the group and the music they created together.
Bonsall’s approach to the music business was refreshingly simple. He believed in getting along, giving it everything on stage, and enjoying the journey. “I’ve always believed — and this could be a message to the kids singing today — that the music business can be as easy or as hard as you wanna make it,” he once said. “Let’s all get along, let’s go get onstage, let’s give it everything we’ve got, let’s hug each other’s necks and get back on the bus, get the check, shake hands and go to the next town. It can be that easy, you know.”
In a 2015 interview for a book project, Bonsall continued to speak highly of his bandmates, emphasizing the importance of open communication and mutual respect. “I gotta tell you, I can’t even remember a bad word amongst any of us for years,” he said. “And even if there is, it’s the kind of thing where maybe you have a disagreement about something, and you get it right out there and you talk about it, talk it through and put it right out there on the table. You don’t sit back and harbor anything. You always have to be open to the fact that your brother, your partner, may actually have a better idea than you.”
Despite the group’s long and storied career, Bonsall admitted that the thought of the end was something they rarely discussed. “I think the end scares us a little bit. We never talk about it,” he said. “I think we’ve been able to plan every aspect of our career except how to end it, so I guess we’ll just have to leave that with God.”
True to his word, Bonsall continued to perform until very nearly the end of his life, even taking the stage while seated in 2023 due to his battle with ALS. The Oak Ridge Boys still have concerts scheduled through December, but these shows will undoubtedly be bittersweet without Bonsall’s presence.
Reba McEntire, a fellow country star and coach on The Voice, shared a heartfelt tribute to Bonsall on Instagram. “Joe, you were a terrific entertainer, singer, and a wonderful friend!” she wrote. “I’ll sure miss your smiling face and your bubbly personality. I can’t wait to see you again. Love, Reba.”
Blake Shelton also took to social media to honor Bonsall, sharing a throwback photo of himself performing with the Oak Ridge Boys. “I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsall’s passing,” Shelton wrote. “I’ve NEVER seen Joe when he wasn’t smiling and completely full of life. He absolutely loved singing like no one I ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his @oakridgeboys brothers. We all lost a special person today.”
Joe Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Bonsall, their daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His legacy, however, will live on through the music and memories he created with the Oak Ridge Boys and the countless lives he touched with his boundless enthusiasm and genuine love for country music.
Source: Taste of Country, Instagram
