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.
Woman tries grandmother’s 1950s honeymoon wardrobe and people can’t believe how good it is
Ambler, Pennsylvania resident Maddy Bill, 27, recently shared an amazing family heirloom on TikTok. She unveiled in a video a suitcase that, 70 years later, still held her grandmother’s 1952 wedding gown. To ensure each piece of clothing was long-lasting, Maddy’s grandma, Marie D’Alessandro Donato, cleaned and kept them all.
As she tried on the antique gowns and jewelry, Maddy said, “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” expressing her amazement. Maddy talked about her grandparents’ love tale and their honeymoon in New York City. Even though they were dressed simply, her grandmother treasured every second she spent with her darling “pop pop.”
After receiving a lot of attention from the public, Maddy thought about donating the clothing to next generations. Her goal is to carry on her grandmother’s tradition by highlighting the ageless attraction of fashion.
This endearing story highlights the timeless appeal of 1950s fashion while honoring the relationship between generations.
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