Blake Shelton paid tribute to his late friend Joe Bonsall, who passed away recently. Joe was a longtime member of The Oak Ridge Boys, a celebrated country and gospel group, from 1973 until his death in 2024.
On Tuesday, Blake, 48, shared a heartfelt photo on his Instagram Stories of himself performing alongside The Oak Ridge Boys. While the exact details of the photo’s location and date are unclear, Blake expressed his sorrow over Joe’s passing, saying: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Joe Bonsall”.
He fondly recalled: “I have never seen Joe without a genuine smile on his face. He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met”. Blake extended his thoughts and prayers to Joe’s family and fellow bandmates, stating: “Today, we have all experienced the loss of someone truly important”.
In 2016, Blake and The Oak Ridge Boys collaborated on the song “Doing It to Country Songs”. Joe’s death was attributed to Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive condition affecting voluntary muscle control, which has no known cure. Fans became aware of Joe’s struggle with the illness in January 2024, four years after he announced his condition and retirement from the band.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Jennifer and Sabrina, from his marriage to Mary Ann, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The Bonsall family shared in a statement that Joe authored 11 books, with his memoir, I See Myself, scheduled for release in November. He cherished his time at the farm and was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, but emphasized that his faith and family were his greatest priorities.
The Oak Ridge Boys, consisting of Joe, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden, are famous for hits like “Elvira”, “Come On In” and “Bobbie Sue”. The band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and has won five Grammy Awards. As the group embarks on a farewell tour that will last for about a few month, they reflect on their legacy, despite the original lineup no longer being intact. Joe’s love for music, reading, and writing, along with his skills on the banjo, will be fondly remembered by fans and loved ones alike.
15 Fashion Moments That Are Truly Hard to Understand
Oh, the world of fashion. It’s where creativity knows no bounds and anything goes — as long as it’s bizarre and difficult to comprehend. It’s where wearing clothes made out of raw meat is considered a bold statement, and 2 people that were meant to be paired together are considered high fashion. It is truly a mystery. Take, for example, today’s finds.
1. A model walking the runway during the Rick Owens show
2. A model walks the runway during a show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2015, in Paris, France.
3. Loud and clear
4. A bit straight forward, but we love it.
5. A model walks the runway during the Giambattista Valli Ready to Wear fashion show.
6. A model walks the runway at the Moschino Ready to Wear fashion show on February 23, 2017, in Milan, Italy.
7. Not everyone can become a model, and most importantly, not everyone can walk like this model.
8. When your dress runs faster than you
9. Little Red Riding Hoodis here.
10. It says, “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.”
11. “No photos, please.”
12. A model wearing a garbage can lid on her head
13. A model walks the runway at the Gucci show.
14. A dress with wings? Yes, perfect.
15. A model walks the runway…
Preview photo credit Gil-Gonzalez Alain/ABACA/EAST NEWS, Gil-Gonzalez Alain/ABACA/EAST NEWS
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