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Joe Bonsall

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Joe Bonsall
Bonsall in 2013
Bonsall in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Sloan Bonsall Jr.
Born(1948-05-18)May 18, 1948[citation needed]
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
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/gospel vocal quartet the Oak Ridge Boys from 1973 to 2023.[2] 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[edit]

Bonsall was born in 1948 to Joseph Sloan Bonsall Sr. (1925–2001), and Lillie Maude Collins (1924–2001). Both are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His younger sister Nancy Marie was born on August 24, 1953.[citation needed]

Bonsall performed in gospel groups of the Northeastern United States before joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973.[1] As an author, Bonsall released a four-part children's book series in 1997 titled The Molly Books[3] and in 2003 published GI Joe and Lillie,[4] 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 newest book, I See Myself, is due to be released in November.[needs update]

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

Illness and death[edit]

On January 3, 2024, Bonsall released a statement announcing his retirement from touring with the Oak Ridge Boys due to neuromuscular disease (posthumously revealed as being amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS). For the rest of the tour, Ben James sang in Bonsall's stead.[5]

Bonsall died in Hendersonville, Tennessee, due to complications of ALS on July 9, 2024; he was 76.[6][7]

Discography[edit]

Further information: The Oak Ridge Boys discography

Singles[edit]

Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
[8] 		CAN Country
[9]
1986 "Out Goin' Cattin'"
(Sawyer Brown with "Cat" Joe Bonsall) 		11 4 Out Goin' Cattin'

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hurst, Jack (October 13, 1984). "The Unlikely Rise And Continuing Reign of the Strangely-Rooted Oaks". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "The Oak Ridge Boys : Biography". CMT.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  3. ^ "Oak Ridge Boys". www.oakridgeboys.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Sawyer Brown - Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  9. ^ "Sawyer Brown - Country Singles". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2019.

External links[edit]


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