Losing someone who is close to you is going to touch you in a profound way. Sometimes we may see this happening with others, and it recently happened to Blake Shelton.

Blake Shelton is known as one of the most popular country music singers today, but he also had connections within the country music industry as well. Unfortunately, one of those connections, Joe Bonsall has passed away.

Bosnall was a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, one of the most popular country music bands of our time from 1973 till 2024. Blake would sometimes sing along with them, and there are pictures of them singing on the stage. Blake shared one of those on his social media.

He wrote on Instagram Stories, “I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsall’s death.

“I’ve NEVER seen Joe when he wasn’t smiling and completely full of life.

“He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

Fans did not learn about his diagnosis of ALS until four years after he had been sick. ALS can take a significant toll on an individual, as well as their family.

Joe was married and has two daughters, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Many people don’t know that he also authored 11 books including a memoir that is to be released.

When the announcement of his diagnosis occurred, he said that he was leaving the band. While with them, they won 5 Grammy awards and in 2015, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The original band members are no longer playing with the Oak Ridge Boys. They do plan on having a farewell tour, which will run through the beginning of December.