Blake Shelton paid tribute to his late friend Joe Bonsall, who passed away recently. Joe was a longtime member of The Oak Ridge Boys, a celebrated country and gospel group, from 1973 until his death in 2024.
On Tuesday, Blake, 48, shared a heartfelt photo on his Instagram Stories of himself performing alongside The Oak Ridge Boys. While the exact details of the photo’s location and date are unclear, Blake expressed his sorrow over Joe’s passing, saying: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Joe Bonsall”.
He fondly recalled: “I have never seen Joe without a genuine smile on his face. He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met”. Blake extended his thoughts and prayers to Joe’s family and fellow bandmates, stating: “Today, we have all experienced the loss of someone truly important”.
In 2016, Blake and The Oak Ridge Boys collaborated on the song “Doing It to Country Songs”. Joe’s death was attributed to Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive condition affecting voluntary muscle control, which has no known cure. Fans became aware of Joe’s struggle with the illness in January 2024, four years after he announced his condition and retirement from the band.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Jennifer and Sabrina, from his marriage to Mary Ann, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The Bonsall family shared in a statement that Joe authored 11 books, with his memoir, I See Myself, scheduled for release in November. He cherished his time at the farm and was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, but emphasized that his faith and family were his greatest priorities.
The Oak Ridge Boys, consisting of Joe, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden, are famous for hits like “Elvira”, “Come On In” and “Bobbie Sue”. The band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and has won five Grammy Awards. As the group embarks on a farewell tour that will last for about a few month, they reflect on their legacy, despite the original lineup no longer being intact. Joe’s love for music, reading, and writing, along with his skills on the banjo, will be fondly remembered by fans and loved ones alike.
Cruise and Kidman’s Adopted Children, This is How Their Entire Adult Child Looks Like
This dynamic duo was hailed as one of Hollywood’s most formidable and visually stunning pairs. However, their journey to parenthood took a different route as they faced the challenge of not having biological children. In a heartwarming turn of events in 1992, the actor chose to embrace fatherhood by adopting a young girl.
Their adopted son was merely six years old when the union between the parents dissolved. In the aftermath of their separation, a legal decision mandated that both parties share parental responsibilities for their children.
Despite Kidman’s bustling schedule filled with acting commitments and globetrotting adventures, she struggled to carve out time for her offspring. Fast forward to today, and we catch a glimpse of Isabella, their adopted daughter, all grown up.
Kidman found herself powerless to shield her children from the influence of her husband, who had delved deeply into the realms of Scientology. Faced with limited options, she reluctantly relinquished control.
Interestingly, history seemed to repeat itself as the man’s subsequent marriage also crumbled under the strain of Scientology. Meanwhile, Nicole embarked on a new chapter, exchanging vows with a talented guitarist and embracing the joys of parenthood with their biological offspring.
As time wore on, the once-close bond between the renowned actress and her adopted children faded into obscurity. It’s only recently that they resurfaced, captured together for the first time in two years.
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