OAK RIDGE BOY, author, singer, Love JESUS, MARY, DAUGHTERS, GRANDKIDS, GUNS, CATS, BANJOS, our FARM and a GOOD SONG! new book I SEE MYSELF coming in November
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 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 @oakridgeboys will finish the Farewell Tour without me but rest assured I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!”
I am incredibly saddened at the loss of Toby Keith … He battled hard and I thought he was doing better and even hitting the road again. I guess God had other plans for him. Rest Easy Toby … You were a great talent who in my opinion never received the accolades you deserved! 😔
As Joe would say, he has "left the building". While our loss is Heaven's gain, we know our X accounts will not replace his...Our sweet Joe, Our Honey, Our Daddy, Our Joseph, Our Pop-Pop.
We would like to thank you all for the prayers, words of encouragement and stories which lift our spirits and warm our hearts.
We would like to share his original press release as follows: mailchi.mp/2911/the-oak-ridg…
We would also like to thank the amazing people with Alive Hospice and encourage donations, in his name, at alivehospice.org/donate
He Loved You All and So Do We!
Love,
His Mary
@sloanlynn and Dan, @sabrinacarver14 and @Grateful1976, @breannecarver and @lscarver
Our
Don't let the old man in
I wanna live here some more
Can't leave it up to him
He's knocking on my door
And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born
Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don't let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in
TOBY KEITH
I was 25 years old in 1973 when I joined the Oak Ridge Boys. I am 75 years old in 2023 and I am STILL and Oak Ridge Boy. I was the last to join a group that had already been a part of music history. Richard Sterban had joined the year before in 1972 after touring with The Stamps Quartet and ELVIS for a few years. Before that Richard and I sang together for almost 6 years. I loved the OAKS… they were cutting age Gospel group and I was a huge fan. William Lee and Duane and I became great friends as well long before I joined in fact Duane produced 10 albums on The Keystones, the group I sang with before joining the OAKS. WLG first joined the group in 1965 and Duane has been singing here since 1966 and together the 4 of us have managed to live out every dream we have ever dreamed and a whole lot more. It has been and still IS an amazing ride. You could have never convinced that 25-year-old Bonsall that in 50 years the four of us would still be singing together and still loving every second of it. No other act brings as much history to the stage as we do. We have had our share of challenges over all these decades, but we have always persevered as men who have each always cared about doing things right and God has blessed us for it. Our mantra has always been LET’S SING… it still is… #ORB50
OK Let me get this right... I am not allowed to carry a firearm in KROGERS now so if a nut case opens fire in the seafood aisle I have NO CHANCE at all because the NUT CASE will NOT follow that directive ... Screw It... I carry EVERYWHERE!!!!! Let God sort it out!!!
I could have easily died last weekend but God is not through with me yet … I am home now after 6 days in the hospital battling pulmonary embolisms … my recovery could take awhile … thanks for the prayers and love shown!! I am on the better side now… GOD IS ABLE! Love you ALL
Following @ScottBaio ‘s lead I have ordered 2 pairs of @brooksrunning Old Glory running shoes for me and Mary ... @Nike and @Kaepernick7 can kiss our respective keisters ... 🇺🇸🇺🇸
As Joe would say, he has "left the building". While our loss is Heaven's gain, we know our X accounts will not replace his...Our sweet Joe, Our Honey, Our Daddy, Our Joseph, Our Pop-Pop.
We would like to thank you all for the prayers, words of encouragement and stories which lift our spirits and warm our hearts.
We would like to share his original press release as follows: mailchi.mp/2911/the-oak-ridg…
We would also like to thank the amazing people with Alive Hospice and encourage donations, in his name, at alivehospice.org/donate
He Loved You All and So Do We!
Love,
His Mary
@sloanlynn and Dan, @sabrinacarver14 and @Grateful1976, @breannecarver and @lscarver
Asleep ... when Mary yells “Oh Joseph ... Kenny Rogers died”
I am a man of words but right now I have none ... I am stunned and heartbroken ... I loved this man ...
#RestinpeaceKennyrogers#SweetMusicMan
I met Richard when I was 15 and he was 20 … we started singing together when I was 19 and he was 24 … he joined the Stamps and Elvis and then joined @oakridgeboys in 72 I would join in 73 … I was 25 Rich was 30 … we have sung together for another 50 years here … I will soon turn 75 and today my lifelong friend and brother turns 80 … not sure where it has all gone but I am thankful for him. Happy Birthday man … let’s keep singing… @RASterban
I met her in 1978 … she smiled at me as I sang You’re The One in a Million and she became just that! We married on this day in 1982 and thankfully she still smiles at me! I love this woman more every single day and I will love her throughout eternity! I could not live down here without her … Happy Anniversary to my MARY … I pray that God gives us many more years together if it is His will … ❤️💕💘
Our grandson Luke is on his way back home after serving 5 years in the NAVY … I am so proud of him … he has learned so much and is ready for a new chapter … WELCOME HOME LUKE!!! ⚓️🇺🇸
A pandemic ... social unrest ... canceled shows ... many fine folks going out of business ... looney people defunding police ... yet I feel a peace in my heart over all of it ... I may be a bit looney as well but I believe God has a plan for those of us who are listening ...
I am overwhelmed by the love shown to me this week … I think I have heard from everyone I have ever known and many many more … Thank you doesn’t seem adequate … but THANK YOU ❤️
Whenever someone I love goes Home Mary always allows me to run out to our farm for a day, not to work, but to pray and be silent and to say goodbye and to strenghen my heart! I did that today ...
Sometimes I need this old farm way more than it needs me... sit here with me a sec
One year ago today I was at a hotel in Galveston trying to make it down an incline to get to the tour bus. I was on a cane at the time but my legs froze on the hill and I couldn’t move … Duane Allen came flying out of the bus to help me … one just does not forget things like that! My heart is with him and the BOYS today!!
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Out come the wackos … this tweet had nothing to do with politics or Taylor … it was about respect … coach has bad knees and Kelce almost knocked him to the ground while yelling in his face … DISRESPECT !!!!!!!
Update: I am not quite 100% yet but friends I am getting stronger each day I have several important Doctors appointments starting today where I will learn more but overall thanks to my God, my wife and my enormous support system I am getting there! Thank you for all the love
One thing the young Bills player accomplished last night was to bring most of America to its knees with a focus on God and prayer … haven’t seen much of that for a long time!
GOD please bless #DamarHamlin his mom and the #BuffaloBills family…
I came out to my farm yesterday to check on things and to see a sunset I drove up to my highest point and spent about an hour thanking Jesus for getting me through 22 and praying for everyone I know asking for good health and happiness in 23 if it be HIS will … #Happy23
Got myself in a situation last night. I was stuck and Mary couldn’t get me up … within 15 minutes @DARRICKK@DuaneAllen32993 and @wlgolden were at the front door … the brotherhood will ALWAYS exsist! ❤️
There has been some concern for me and yes I AM having some health issues, that’s why I was looking a bit weak at the shows last week I will not be out with the guys this weekend but brother RUDY GATLIN will be filling in Should be fun!!! I am going to be ok thanks for 🙏
When we landed in Houston and I saw the motorcade pull up to the jet and US Army and Air Force personnel get out of the SUVS and line up and stand at attention I cried like a baby... it was like he was still looking after us ... as he always has!! We are HERE sir! #GeorgeHWBush
Mother, mother ocean, I have heard your call
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall
You've seen it all, you've seen it all
Watched the men who rode you, switch from sails to steam
And in your belly, you hold the treasures few have ever seen
Most of 'em dreams, most of 'em dreams
#RIPJimmyBuffet
I have loved you for 42 years and today we celebrate 38 years of marriage ... Thank you my Mary for loving me back and for providing for me a life that many men only dream about! I would be totally lost without you ... YOU are my ROCK ... ❤️
I recorded this last Easter on the front porch of our farm … singing in my church voice 😊 HE LIVES!!!
Thankful today to my Risen Savior for blessing my life and for HIS Sacrifice and Victory!HALLELUJAH!! Happy EASTER!
I came home from the hospital 3 weeks ago today and thanks to the love of my family and fellow OAKS and so many of you, that rough 7 days seems all far behind me now Thank you all for the constant love, prayers and support I am very thankful! God is Great! Time to SING!
There are many who do not understand a thing like this but after 2 days on the road my Barney kitty missed me so much that he would NOT let me go up to bed … so I turned off the TV and slept by him for a few hours… photo by Mary Bonsall #Caturday#CatsofTwittter
Every single night … my healer… a cat who was so stressed when I was in the hospital that he got sick as well… I can’t explain it but … he just knows … #Barney
This is professionalism at its finest. There will never be grit like this man exemplified & the love from the crowd was palpable. He asked us to sing w him. I wanted to wrap my nurse’s arms around his broken heart. Much respect @DuaneAllen32993. You are loved. @oakridgeboys
When our Sally Ann kitty passed on Sunday I was preparing to bury her in our little kitty cemetery and 13 deer came to visit and all at once they all kneeled down. Seriously... Now I’m not saying they KNEW ... but maybe?? Whatever the case it seemed a blessing ...
My 76th birthday ends … with my Barney … @sloanlynn bought me relaxing pants with Barney on them … lol great day with family … and from so many friends thinking of me and praying for me … LOVE is all that matters … good night
Our personal lives have changed, our business has changed, our politics have changed and overall America and the world have changed and continue to change but I find much comfort in knowing that JESUS has NOT CHANGED ... He remains the SAME yesterday today and nigh onto ETERNITY
On my 2nd night in hospital with IV’s in each arm & monitors going off I heard the door across the hall open where a young man was being treated from an accident A woman’s voice said “Honey it’s mommy, I am here, everything will be all right now” Somehow I knew I would be ok too
Our Sally Ann kitty has gone home to that BETTER PLACE that has been prepared just for her by The GOD of ALL CREATURES!! Our sweet little girl... you were a dear friend and we Love You ... Our home will never be the same without you ... Bye Little Sals ... I am gone for awhile
My finger is sore from blocking hateful tweets @oakridgeboys just because we appeared at the 225th birthday of our state last night with the Governor! This was not a political event but more of a historical one! Such hatred! Can’t people just disagree anymore without it?
Please all my prayer warriors we need your prayers for our friend Nick D’anna’s daughter Kaia. 🙏🏼❤️
Kaia has Pneumonia with a viral infection. If they can't stabilize her breathing we will have to go upstairs to the ICU. :( we are absolutely exhausted right now.
Spent time with a camera crew at the house today filming interviews for my new book and for some @oakridgeboys stuff … it was a good day … thank you @DivineDetour@indiebling@jonmir
Just heard the sad news that the great Gary Sinise lost his 33 year old son Mac to a rare form of cancer … I am praying that the Holy Spirit will guide this family through this immeasurable loss … Gary is a great American 🙏❤️
@GarySiniseFound
A little porch singing on my final day to be 71 ... It IS well with my SOUL ... whatever is to come ... I have peace ... IT IS WELL... Thank you Jesus ...
I am sorry to tell everyone that our sweet Barny passed last night on Joe's birthday. Barny never gave up looking for his dear friend. I pray he found him! Mother Mary
As a young man BJ’s biography and song called Home Where I Belong and his testimony of how Jesus Christ changed his life meant the world to me A few years ago I shared that with him one night over pizza on the Country Music Cruise We cried and prayed together I loved BJ Thomas
I have played the @DuQuoinFair many times over the decades ... however, I must say that canceling @ConfederateRR JUST because their name is CONFEDERATE RAILROAD is a crock of crap!!! These are good men singing good songs... God please help us all ...
Our country is so divided and polarized right now. More like Bipolarized I think. You can say something in one state and get cheered and in another say the same thing and get booed but tell you what … Jesus is the SAME… yesterday today and forever … whether you believe this or not … it’s still true… He has NOT changed … Therefore … We will be ok …
What a time we are living in when a professional athlete makes headline news for STANDING for our National Anthem ... geez ... 🇺🇸 I am about done with sports friends...
When the weather cleared a bit around 4 am the invasion was on… Joe Bonsall and his 90th infantry attached to the 4th hit Utah Beach on the first wave! Daddy was awarded a bronze star for his unusual courage, valor, and sacrifice on the beach that day although to be honest daddy never remembered what in the world he ever did that day to deserve that medal. He was just happy to be alive.
He would fight on through the hedgerows and 51 days after the landing he would get hit hard at Saint Lo France, while taking out machine gun nests on his own. He was awarded the silver star for that one and a purple heart. He would always say “I wasn’t no hero son. I was just stupid. All of us kids were just stupid!”
#DDay80
Well, those stupid kids save the world now didn’t they? I miss you, daddy. You WERE a hero!
My precious Mary and daughter @sabrinacarver14 said goodbye to Norah Lee yesterday. It was a beautiful service for a beautiful soul gone Home! As usual she brought so many old friends together and I was so happy to see them all! Thank you to @DARRICKK for looking after me and making sure I could get there…
I pray unceasing for @DuaneAllen32993 … until the day!
Before I retire this evening I want to sincerely thank you all for the love and prayers over the last month or so. That medical event knocked the cornbread out of me but I am doing much better now!!FORWARD…
❤️🙏
I may have had a few setbacks of late with my leg issues but it doesn’t change the fact that my life has been blessed a million times over beyond that… a life of songs, great friendships, a wonderful wife, precious family and great cats … never taken for granted … Thank you to my Jesus …
I felt the need this morning to get down on my knees and pray (like my mom always did) I prayed for America, our military, my family and wisdom for our leaders on both sides of the aisle but mostly I prayed for the people of UKRAINE … 🙏
I must admit I have not been able to watch footage of our Amazing Grace at Bush funeral until today. WOW... I think it is the best we have ever done and Jesus gets all the Glory. We were tired, emotional and quite nervous but HE brought us through this. piped.video/mcNbdPPX5-Q
Up late tonight with my Barney kitty … he has helped me through some rough times this summer … He is right here for me again tonight … I LOVE him … he just knows…
I want everyone to know that I am doing great… I believe that awful medical event is behind me now. Still gaining strength and still dealing with a bad leg but I am used to that lol … see you on the field … thanks for all the love and prayers … they WORKED!
Our grandson Luke is on a new adventure starting today … I never talk about where he is or where he is going … I just ask that on occasion you send up a prayer for him … thank you @USNavy 🇺🇸
I post this every #GoodFriday and if the good Lord allows me to still be here next year I’ll post it again… Thank you JESUS for your sacrifice for me. I sure don’t deserve it but you loved me enough to do it! There is NO greater love than this … My sins are forgiven and my pathway leads to eternal life with you because of THE CROSS!
Every night … every single night …perhaps for just an hour or sometimes much longer my Barney comes to me … I can’t tell you, especially in my new life, how much he means to me … the cat just KNOWS … I love em!
Happy Anniversary to my Mary … I believe I have loved you since I was a little boy dreaming about sharing my life with a beautiful woman who would one day come into my life and love me for who I am … My dreams came true … I will LOVE you throughout Eternity … ❤️❤️
HUGE GIANT NEWS … I just signed s publishing contract with @GTerashita of Fidelity Publishing for my new book
I SEE MYSELF … Musings and Memories of a Blessed Life
By Joseph S Bonsall
Scheduled for a November release … this is a unique approach that I think you will enjoy … I am so blessed and thankful
These are perhaps my last tweets about grandson in the Navy. Notice I said nothing until he graduated boot camp... I will not say much about where he is or where he is going. I will say that he is on a mission and very prepared and ask for prayers on his behalf. Thank You! 🇺🇸⚓️