Joe Bonsall

Joe Bonsall
Bonsall in 2013
Bonsall in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Sloan Bonsall Jr.
Born(1948-05-18)May 18, 1948
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJuly 9, 2024(2024-07-09) (aged 76)
Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresCountry, gospel
Occupation(s)Singer, author
Years active1973–2024
Formerly ofThe Oak Ridge Boys
Websitewww.josephsbonsall.com

Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr. (May 18, 1948 – July 9, 2024) was an American singer who was the tenor vocalist of the country and gospel vocal quartet the Oak Ridge Boys from 1973 to 2023.[1] Besides charting numerous hits as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall had a solo chart credit alongside the band Sawyer Brown in their 1986 single "Out Goin' Cattin'", on which he was credited as "Cat Joe Bonsall".

Biography

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Bonsall was born on May 18, 1948 in Philadelphia, to Joseph Sloan Bonsall Sr., and Lillie Maude Collins, who both served in World War II.[2][3] He also had a sister, Nancy Marie.

Bonsall performed in gospel groups of the Northeastern United States before joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973.[2] As an author, Bonsall released a four-part children's book series in 1997 titled The Molly Books[4] and in 2003 published GI Joe and Lillie,[5] a book about his parents' lives during and after World War II. He also authored On The Road With The Oak Ridge Boys, An American Journey, From My Perspective, and An Inconvenient Christmas. His latest book, I See Myself, a memoir, is slated to be released posthumously in November 2024.[6]

Bonsall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys.[3]

Illness and death

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Bonsall missed several tour dates in 2022 and was hospitalized for what at the time was stated to be pulmonary embolisms;[7]

On January 3, 2024, Bonsall released a statement announcing his retirement from touring with the Oak Ridge Boys due to a "slow-onset neuromuscular disease" (posthumously revealed as being amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS) that was diagnosed in 2019. For the rest of the tour, Ben James sang in Bonsall's stead.[8]

Bonsall died due to complications of ALS in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on July 9, 2024, at the age of 76.[6][9][10]

Discography

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Further information: The Oak Ridge Boys discography

Singles

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Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
[11] 		CAN Country
[12]
1986 "Out Goin' Cattin'"
(Sawyer Brown with "Cat" Joe Bonsall) 		11 4 Out Goin' Cattin'

References

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  1. ^ "The Oak Ridge Boys : Biography". CMT.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Hurst, Jack (October 13, 1984). "The Unlikely Rise And Continuing Reign of the Strangely-Rooted Oaks". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Friskics-Warren, Bill (July 10, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Tenor Voice of the Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 76". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Oak Ridge Boys". www.oakridgeboys.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  5. ^ The full title of the book is "G.I. Joe & Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty" (2003) New Leaf Press ISBN 0-89221-537-2
  6. ^ a b Sherman, Maria; Huamani, Kaitlyn (July 9, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, celebrated tenor in the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76". AP News. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Watts, Cindy (September 19, 2023). "The Oak Ridge Boys Announce Farewell Tour". CMT. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Black, Lauren Jo (January 3, 2024). "Joe Bonsall Bids Farewell to The Oak Ridge Boys After Five Decades on the Road". Country Now. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Willman, Chris (July 9, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music's Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76". Variety. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Grein, Paul (July 9, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Longtime Member of The Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 76". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Sawyer Brown - Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Sawyer Brown - Country Singles". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
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