Thank you, Joe!
Joe Bonsall

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 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. There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there and he needs your love and encouragement … his sound is different than mine but he brings a ton of talent to the table! The Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me but rest assured I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!

– Joe Bonsall
January 3rd, 2024

Alumnus of the Year

From the forthcoming book, I See Myself

I see myself in 1982 being honored by my alma mater, Frankford High, with their prestigious Alumnus of the Year award. At a ceremony held in the school auditorium, there were dignitaries and members of the press from all over the city and state, as well as my family, my three Oak Ridge Boys partners, and people like Dr. Rude, Mister Hamilton, and Jim Halsey, who have all stood at many of the crossroads in my life. The senior class of 82’ was also gathered, and I had the opportunity to bring to them as positive a message as I could about working hard and following your dreams and putting God first.

It was an unforgettable day for me, as I never dreamed that the Joey who once walked through these halls and passed this wall of fame every single day would one day have my own photo up there. If you were to visit FHS today, you would see a long line of photos along a first-floor wall honoring Frankford Pioneer Alumnus of the Year through history. There are scientists, politicians, doctors, military heroes, inventors, scholars, and such, but just one who dropped his college courses to study music for a year, graduated with only a general diploma, and never went to college.

Yes… There is just one. The Alumnus of the Year in 1982… Joseph S. Bonsall

Joe through the years (and hairstyles!)

Ban-Joey

“PROMISED LAND” – A TRIBUTE

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY”

“Austin City Limits,” S10E01, 1985