Duane Allen, the lead singer of The Oak Ridge Boys, recently provided an update on the future of the beloved country music group, unequivocally stating that “The Oak Ridge Boys are not retiring.” This announcement comes amidst widespread speculation regarding their “farewell tour” and the recent, heartbreaking departure of long-time tenor, Joe Bonsall.
Allen revealed the emotional circumstances surrounding Bonsall’s exit and the seamless transition of his replacement, Ben James. Bonsall, who had been singing tenor for the Oaks for 50 years, had been battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), a degenerative muscular issue, which had made touring increasingly difficult. “It was heart-wrenching for us to say farewell to Joe Bonsall,” Allen shared, describing how Bonsall had to be helped on and off stage by two people during his last year with the group, though he remained a “trooper” and “never gave up.”
The succession plan for Bonsall was remarkably organic. Allen recounted an instance in Wheeling, West Virginia, when Ben James, then touring and singing with Dailey & Vincent, joined The Oak Ridge Boys on stage for a finale of “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue.” During “Bobbie Sue,” Bonsall, already struggling, handed the microphone to James, who “didn’t miss a lick.” Following this impromptu performance, James stayed in touch, expressing his admiration for Bonsall, whom he considered his “hero.”
The moment for the official passing of the torch came when Bonsall, realizing he “can’t go any further” due to his deteriorating health, personally called James. “Joe called him and told him… ‘get your singing britches on, I’m passing the torch to you,'” Allen explained. Ben James officially joined The Oak Ridge Boys at the end of December, stepping in for a show that Bonsall couldn’t make, marking the end of Bonsall’s Christmas tour with the group.
Allen expressed profound gratitude for James’s arrival during a challenging time. “God works in mysterious ways,” he reflected. “When the path seemed the darkest, God sent us a new light and brought Ben James into the group.”
The decision to continue performing with James reflects a long-standing philosophy within The Oak Ridge Boys. Allen emphasized the group’s “obligation to actually pass the torch to a new generation when it’s time.” He acknowledged that while “he’s not Joe Bonsall… no one is Joe Bonsall but Joe Bonsall,” James’s talent and the audience’s acceptance of him have been crucial to their ongoing success.
The Oak Ridge Boys will continue to tour for as long as they can, driven by this renewed energy and their commitment to their musical legacy, ensuring their harmonies resonate for years to come.