Blake Shelton wrote a touching tribute to his friend Joe Bonsall after his death.
From 1973 to 2024, Joe played in the country and gospel band The Oak Ridge Boys.
The 48-year-old Blake shared a picture of himself singing on stage with The Oak Ridge Boys on Tuesday.
No one knows for sure when and where the picture was taken.
“I’m so sad to hear about the death of my friend Joe Bonsall,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories.
“I’ve NEVER seen Joe when he wasn’t smiling and completely full of life.”
Blake went on, “He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“His family and his @theoakridgeboys brothers are in my thoughts and prayers.” Today we lost a very important person.
Blake put out the song “Doing It to Country Songs” with The Oak Ridge Boys in 2016.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, led to his death.
ALS is a neuromuscular disease that can’t be cured. It affects the body’s voluntary muscles.
Fans found out about the singer’s diagnosis in January 2024, four years after he had been sick.
His wife was named Mary Ann, and he had two daughters named Jennifer and Sabrina. He also had two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A family spokesperson said in a press release, “Joseph is also the author of 11 books, including his most recent, a memoir called I See Myself, which comes out in November.”
“He loved running the farm.” He also loved the Philadelphia Phillies. It said, “But Jesus and his family always came first, and we will see him again on the Promised Day.”
During the news of his diagnosis, Joe said he was leaving the band.
TIMES WITH THE BAND
The Oak Ridge Boys are made up of Joe, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen.
Elvira, Come On In, Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight, and Bobbie Sue are some of the band’s best-known songs.
In 2015, The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. They won five Grammy Awards.
Neither of the current band members is a member from the beginning.
“Joe really liked to sing. He liked to read a lot. He liked writing a lot. He really liked playing the banjo.
Formed the band were Curly Kinsey, Lon “Deacon” Freeman, Wally Fowler, and Little Johnny New.
The Oak Ridge Boys are on tour right now with American Made: The Farwell. The show runs until December 8.