Country Music has lost another great member of the community, Grand Ole Opry member, Country Music Hall of Fame member and 50 year member of the Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Bonsall, who passed away today at age 76 from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Here is what some of his closest artist friends had to say.
He was amazing talent ….friend ….and legend. The world of country music lost a great talent ….but the angels in heaven gained an incredible voice. – Billy Ray Cyrus
“The world has lost a familiar and beloved voice. Heaven welcomes another tenor to the Choir. See you there, Joe.” – Dennis Quaid
Heartbreaking to hear the news about Joe Bonsall passing. Joey was a true road brother and a great friend for many years. Deepest Condolences to his family and to all the Oak Ridge Boys organization and his many fans. – David and Howard Bellamy, The Bellamy Brothers
So very sorry to learn that our dear friend Joe Bonsall of the The Oak Ridge Boys has passed. What a great man and great artist he was. Prayers to his family, friends and to his Oak Ridge Boys family. – Gene Watson
“Along with the rest of the world I was saddened this morning to learn of the passing of the multi-talented Joe Bonsall. Joe was a great singer, the consummate performer, and a dear friend. We not only had country music in common, but he loved baseball just as much as I do, and we had many friendly discussions as to which was the better team…his Philadelphia Phillies or my Atlanta Braves. I won’t say any money ever changed hands, but I won’t deny it either. I will think of Joe and miss him with every high note I hear sung and every crack of the bat that echoes across the summer skies. Rest in peace, my friend. You were truly one-of-a-kind.” – Bill Anderson
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“I grew up listening to The Oak Ridge Boys. They were a gospel group at the time I grew up and my grandmother loved them and our other family members who also had gospel groups were influenced by them. Their harmonies have always been rich and pleasing to the ears. You could hear each individual voice through the iconic blend of their voices. There was and is something very special in their sound. I am saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Bonsall. He is singing with the angels and will be truly missed.” – Harry Wayne Casey, KC and the Sunshine Band
Those stand out tenor vocals from Joe and the blend he created with the Oak Ridge Boys will never be matched. – Taylor Hicks
“Joe was such a nice guy. I love the Oak Ridge Boys, and Joe was so friendly whenever we performed together. He always had a smile on his face. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.” – Phil Vassar
“As a member of Little Texas, I was always inspired by the harmonies of The Oaks. My heart goes out to Joe’s family. God bless him; he will be greatly missed.” – Brady Seals
From his early days in southern gospel music to his successful career in country, Joe was an encourager to other artists and always celebrated the wins of others. We didn’t just lose a great entertainer… we lost one of our highest cheerleaders. – Mickey Bell
“The brothers and I have always loved listening to the harmonies of The Oak Ridge Boys! Joe Bonsall will be missed! He’s definitely singing with the angels today!” – Chad Sitze, Flat River Band
“We are saddened by the passing of one of the great voices of a generation. Joe and the rest of The Oaks paved the way for harmony groups like us and did so with a great amount of class. Our hearts go out to his family both on the road and at home. Thanks for the music, Joe Bonsall!” – Due West
“We’re saddened by the news of Joe Bonsall’s passing. What an amazing talent and an incredible career spanning 50+ years. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire Oak Ridge Boys team.” – Maggie McClure and Shane Henry, The Imaginaries
