The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall Died On July 9, 2024 At The Age Of 76

Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys performed his last show on December 17, 2023. Just a few weeks later, Bonsall announced his retirement, citing ongoing health issues as the reason.

“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular disorder,” Bonsall said. “I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys band crew and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget and for those of you who have been constantly holding me up in prayer I thank you and ask for you to keep on praying.”

My personal statement …

“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years…

— Joe Bonsall (@joebonsall) January 3, 2024

Bonsall performed with the Oak Ridge Boys for 50 years before his retirement. As a member of the Oaks, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Singer Ben James took Bonsall’s place on the Oak Ridge Boys’ American Made: Farewell Tour.

Sadly, just six months after retiring, Bonsall died on July 9, 2024, at the age of 76. The Oak Ridge Boys confirmed his death in a press release.

“Joseph S. Bonsall (76) of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed on to Glory on July 9, 2024, from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [otherwise known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease]. He leaves behind his precious wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.”

Watch Him Sing “Mama’s Table” With The Oak Ridge Boys During One Of His Last Shows

After 17 years of releasing gospel albums, the Oak Ridge Boys dropped a new country record in 2009. Titled The Boys Are Back, the album contained ten tracks, including a tune named “Mama’s Table.”

“Mama’s Table” was written by Jamey Johnson and George Teren. The song has the Oaks reminiscing on fond memories they made with their families around their mothers’ dinner tables. As they sing:

“It was the center of the best times I remember. Sometimes the only thing that brought us all together. Grandma passed it down when I was in a cradle. It’s in my kitchen now but it’s still my mama’s table.”

The Oak Ridge Boys delivered a moving rendition of “Mama’s Table” during one of Bonsall’s last shows, which took place in Corinth, Mississippi, in November 2023.

Seated on a stool, Bonsall sang “Mama’s Table” while the other Oaks came to him to join him in song. Duane Allen placed his hand on Bonsall’s back as a sign of support.

Watch the Oak Ridge Boys’ emotional performance of “Mama’s Table” during one of Bonsall’s final shows by tuning in to the video below.

Those who want to honor Bonsall can make donations to The ALS Association or the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center. Our hearts go out to all of Joe Bonsall’s loved ones as they mourn their loss…