Blake Shelton shared a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Joe Bonsall following his passing. Joe was a member of The Oak Ridge Boys, a renowned country and gospel group, from 1973 until 2024.

On Tuesday, Blake, 48, posted a photo on Instagram of himself performing live with The Oak Ridge Boys, although the exact date and location of the photo remain unknown.

In his post, Blake expressed his sorrow, saying, “I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsall’s passing. I’ve never seen Joe without a genuine smile on his face. He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

He also mentioned that his prayers were with Joe’s family and his brothers at @theoakridgeboys, adding, “We have all lost someone special today.”

Blake and The Oak Ridge Boys collaborated on the song “Doing It to Country Songs” in 2016. Joe Bonsall passed away due to Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neuromuscular disorder that affects voluntary muscles.

Although fans learned about his illness in January 2024, Joe had been battling it for four years.

Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, their two daughters, Jennifer and Sabrina, two grandkids, and two great-grandchildren. The Bonsall family shared a statement noting that Joe was also the author of 11 books, including an upcoming memoir titled *I See Myself*, set to be released in November.

They emphasized his love for his family, Jesus, and his passion for life, saying, “We will see him again on the Promised Day.”

The Oak Ridge Boys, which included Joe, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden, became famous for hits like “Elvira,” “Come On In,” “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” and “Bobbie Sue.” The band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and has won five Grammy Awards.

Joe took great joy in singing, reading, writing, and playing the banjo. Today, the Oak Ridge Boys’ farewell tour, “American Made: The Farewell,” kicks off and will run through December 8.