Blake Shelton wrote a heartfelt tribute to his friend Joe Bonsall after his passing. Joe was a member of The Oak Ridge Boys, a country and gospel group, from 1973 until 2024.
On Tuesday, Blake, 48, shared a photo of himself performing with The Oak Ridge Boys, though the exact time and place of the photo are unknown.
On his Instagram Stories, Blake expressed his sorrow, stating he had never seen Joe without a genuine smile and noting Joe’s deep love for singing. He offered his prayers to Joe’s bandmates and family, acknowledging the significant loss.
Joe’s death was caused by Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, a condition that affects voluntary muscles and currently has no cure. Fans learned about his illness in January 2024, four years after he had been suffering.
Joe is survived by his daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, as well as two grandkids and two great-grandchildren.
The Bonsall family also shared that Joe authored 11 books, including an upcoming memoir titled *I See Myself*. Joe enjoyed his time on the farm, was a Philadelphia Phillies fan, and prioritized Jesus and his family above all.
The Oak Ridge Boys, consisting of Joe, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden, are known for hits like “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue” and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
Joe, who cherished singing, reading, writing, and playing the banjo, is remembered fondly as part of a band where no original members remain.
