MUSIC

Joe Bonsall, Oak Ridge Boys tenor vocalist

Minnie Pearl, center, joins the Oak Ridge Boys — Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban — as presenters during the 12th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 9, 1978.
Minnie Pearl, center, joins the Oak Ridge Boys — Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban — as presenters during the 12th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 9, 1978.
Bill Welch / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, second from left, speaks for the Oak Ridge Boys after they won the Vocal Group of the Year award during the 12th annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 9, 1978. The Oak Ridge Boys, with members William Lee Golden, left, Duane Allen and Richard Sterban, were a gospel group until two years ago and won the award, which had been the property of the Statler Brothers for the past six years. They also won the Instrumental Group of the Year award.
Joe Bonsall, second from left, speaks for the Oak Ridge Boys after they won the Vocal Group of the Year award during the 12th annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 9, 1978. The Oak Ridge Boys, with members William Lee Golden, left, Duane Allen and Richard Sterban, were a gospel group until two years ago and won the award, which had been the property of the Statler Brothers for the past six years. They also won the Instrumental Group of the Year award.
Bill Welch / The Tennessean
Oak Ridge Boys tenor Joe Bonsall, left, and teammate Bill Anderson are ready for the start of the Fan Fair Celebrity Softball Tournament at Cedar Hill Park in Madison on June 9, 1980. The all-day event was the opening event on the official Fan Fair calendar.
Oak Ridge Boys tenor Joe Bonsall, left, and teammate Bill Anderson are ready for the start of the Fan Fair Celebrity Softball Tournament at Cedar Hill Park in Madison on June 9, 1980. The all-day event was the opening event on the official Fan Fair calendar.
Dale Ernsberger / The Tennessean
The Oak Ridge Boys members Duane Allen, left, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban, right, along with presenter Ronnie Milsap, second from right, are celebrating their Single of the Year award for "Elvira" during the 15th annual CMA Awards show nationally televised from the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 12, 1981.
The Oak Ridge Boys members Duane Allen, left, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban, right, along with presenter Ronnie Milsap, second from right, are celebrating their Single of the Year award for "Elvira" during the 15th annual CMA Awards show nationally televised from the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 12, 1981.
Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean
Members of the Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Bonsall, left, and Richard Sterban show off one of the racing cars on June 7, 1982, that will be used in the race. They are among the ones country music stars entered in a special Fan Fair race at Nashville Raceway.
Members of the Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Bonsall, left, and Richard Sterban show off one of the racing cars on June 7, 1982, that will be used in the race. They are among the ones country music stars entered in a special Fan Fair race at Nashville Raceway.
Dale Ernsberger / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Golden and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys performing at the MCA Records Show during Fan Fair at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on June 10, 1982.
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Golden and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys performing at the MCA Records Show during Fan Fair at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on June 10, 1982.
Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean
Lee Greenwood, right, beat The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall at racquetball at the American Fitness Center in Goodlettsville on Aug. 10, 1983, while People magazine snapped feature photos. "I eventually would have caught up with him. Lee's got a few years on me," Bonsall said. He thinks he could beat Greenwood at tennis.
Lee Greenwood, right, beat The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall at racquetball at the American Fitness Center in Goodlettsville on Aug. 10, 1983, while People magazine snapped feature photos. "I eventually would have caught up with him. Lee's got a few years on me," Bonsall said. He thinks he could beat Greenwood at tennis.
Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean
White team member Joe Bonsall, left, and blue team captain Lee Greenwood share a moment during the third annual All American Country Games at Vanderbilt Stadium on June 9, 1984.
White team member Joe Bonsall, left, and blue team captain Lee Greenwood share a moment during the third annual All American Country Games at Vanderbilt Stadium on June 9, 1984.
Greg Lovett / The Tennessean
With dimmed lights and smoke pouring into the stage, The Oak Ridge Boys explode into view for the near-capacity crowd at Middle Tennessee State University's Murphy Center on Sept. 30, 1984. Joe Bonsall, left, and Duane Allen get things started.
With dimmed lights and smoke pouring into the stage, The Oak Ridge Boys explode into view for the near-capacity crowd at Middle Tennessee State University's Murphy Center on Sept. 30, 1984. Joe Bonsall, left, and Duane Allen get things started.
Carol Thackston / The Tennessean
The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall, right, confessed the group's nervousness at playing before the hometown folks, then admitted, "We're having a great time! We love it!" during their MTSU's Murphy Center concert on Sept. 30, 1984.
The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall, right, confessed the group's nervousness at playing before the hometown folks, then admitted, "We're having a great time! We love it!" during their MTSU's Murphy Center concert on Sept. 30, 1984.
Carol Thackston / The Tennessean
Legendary Ray Charles sways back and forth on his piano bench as he performs with a host of artists, including Joe Bonsall, second from left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys here, during the 18th annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 8, 1984.
Legendary Ray Charles sways back and forth on his piano bench as he performs with a host of artists, including Joe Bonsall, second from left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys here, during the 18th annual CMA Awards show on Oct. 8, 1984.
Dan Loftin / The Tennessean
Presenter Joe Bonsall, left, leads his fellow Oak Ridge Boys in pointing out a stunned Ricky Van Shelton as he accepts the Entertainer of the Year award during the fan-voted TNN/Music City News Country Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on June 4, 1990. Shelton also won the Male Artist of the Year award.
Presenter Joe Bonsall, left, leads his fellow Oak Ridge Boys in pointing out a stunned Ricky Van Shelton as he accepts the Entertainer of the Year award during the fan-voted TNN/Music City News Country Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on June 4, 1990. Shelton also won the Male Artist of the Year award.
Rick Musacchio / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys foul off a pitch during the second annual Music City Celebrity All-Star Softball Challenge at Nashville Sounds' Greer Stadium on June 7, 1992, to help kick off Fan Fair. Bonsall's WSM-FM (95) team lost 13-8 to WSIX-FM (98).
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys foul off a pitch during the second annual Music City Celebrity All-Star Softball Challenge at Nashville Sounds' Greer Stadium on June 7, 1992, to help kick off Fan Fair. Bonsall's WSM-FM (95) team lost 13-8 to WSIX-FM (98).
P. Casey Daley / The Tennessean
The Oak Ridge Boys tenor Joe Bonsall, center left, and his wife, Mary, came to pay their final respects at the Conway Twitty memorial service at the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., on June 9, 1993.
The Oak Ridge Boys tenor Joe Bonsall, center left, and his wife, Mary, came to pay their final respects at the Conway Twitty memorial service at the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., on June 9, 1993.
Rick Musacchio / The Tennessean
The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall, front left, and Richard Sterban are first in line for the first spin on the new Opryland U.S.A. theme park's Hangman on June 8, 1995. Opryland officials believe this open-air roller coaster will become a very popular ride.
The Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall, front left, and Richard Sterban are first in line for the first spin on the new Opryland U.S.A. theme park's Hangman on June 8, 1995. Opryland officials believe this open-air roller coaster will become a very popular ride.
Rex Perry / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, lead singer with The Oak Ridge Boys, is performing at the 1999 Fan Fair held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on June 14, 1999.
Joe Bonsall, lead singer with The Oak Ridge Boys, is performing at the 1999 Fan Fair held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on June 14, 1999.
Bill Steber / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, of The Oak Ridge Boys, is posing outside his offices in Nashville on May 14, 2004. Bonsall, wrote a book and a song about his parents, "G.I. Joe and Lillie."
Joe Bonsall, of The Oak Ridge Boys, is posing outside his offices in Nashville on May 14, 2004. Bonsall, wrote a book and a song about his parents, "G.I. Joe and Lillie."
Sanford Myers / The Tennessean
Richard Sterban, left, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, and Duane Allen of The The Oak Ridge Boys are singing the National Anthem at the City of Hope's 20th annual Celebrity Softball Challenge at Greer Stadium on June 7, 2010.
Richard Sterban, left, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, and Duane Allen of The The Oak Ridge Boys are singing the National Anthem at the City of Hope's 20th annual Celebrity Softball Challenge at Greer Stadium on June 7, 2010.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys is performing with others during the Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 3, 2012.
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys is performing with others during the Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 3, 2012.
Jeanne Reasonover / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, left, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys wave good bye to the crowd after performing at the We're All for the Hall Concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2012.
Joe Bonsall, left, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys wave good bye to the crowd after performing at the We're All for the Hall Concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2012.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys is talking to the crowd during the CMA Music Fest at LP Field on June 9, 2012.
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys is talking to the crowd during the CMA Music Fest at LP Field on June 9, 2012.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys is performing at LP Field for the Saturday night series of concerts during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2014.
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys is performing at LP Field for the Saturday night series of concerts during the CMA Music Festival on June 8, 2014.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys, right, is performing with inductee Jimmy Capps, left, during a concert after the induction of new members into the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum at the Municipal Auditorium on Jan. 28, 2014.
Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys, right, is performing with inductee Jimmy Capps, left, during a concert after the induction of new members into the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum at the Municipal Auditorium on Jan. 28, 2014.
Karen Kraft / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys perform the national anthem before the start of the very last Nashville Sounds game at Greer Stadium on Aug. 27, 2014.
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys perform the national anthem before the start of the very last Nashville Sounds game at Greer Stadium on Aug. 27, 2014.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Singer Joe Bonsall gets a hug after a public announcement on March 25, 2015, that the Oak Ridge Boys would be one of the 2015 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Singer Joe Bonsall gets a hug after a public announcement on March 25, 2015, that the Oak Ridge Boys would be one of the 2015 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, left, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and William Lee Golden speak during a panel discussion at the CMA close up stage on June 12, 2015, in Nashville.
Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, left, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and William Lee Golden speak during a panel discussion at the CMA close up stage on June 12, 2015, in Nashville.
Mark Zaleski / For The Tennessean
Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall laughs during a panel discussion at the CMA close up stage on June 12, 2015, in Nashville.
Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall laughs during a panel discussion at the CMA close up stage on June 12, 2015, in Nashville.
Mark Zaleski / For The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen and William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys present Kenny Rogers with is star at Rogers' Walk of Fame induction at Music City Walk of Fame Park on Oct. 24, 2017.
Joe Bonsall, left, Duane Allen and William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys present Kenny Rogers with is star at Rogers' Walk of Fame induction at Music City Walk of Fame Park on Oct. 24, 2017.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Joe Bonsall, left, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys congratulate Kenny Rogers at his Walk of Fame induction at Music City Walk of Fame Park on Oct. 24, 2017.
Joe Bonsall, left, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys congratulate Kenny Rogers at his Walk of Fame induction at Music City Walk of Fame Park on Oct. 24, 2017.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Ricky Skaggs, center, is congratulated by Oak Ridge Boys William Lee Golden, left, and Joe Bonsall after his name was announced as one of three inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame on March 27, 2018.
Ricky Skaggs, center, is congratulated by Oak Ridge Boys William Lee Golden, left, and Joe Bonsall after his name was announced as one of three inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame on March 27, 2018.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean