Trivia

Inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

His first group was The Faith Four. His sister Nancy also sang with this group.

As an author, Bonsall released a four-part children's book series in 1997 titled The Molly Books and in 2003 published GI Joe and Lillie, a book about his parents' lives during and after World War II.

In September 2023, Bonsall toured with the Oaks for their American Made: Farewell Tour. However, in January 2024, he announced his decision to retire, explaining that his neuromuscular disorder had made walking impossible. He was replaced by a 27-year-old singer named Ben James.

Joe was also a banjo player who has studied the instrument for 13 years .

Bonsall spent five decades as an Oak Ridge Boys member, singing on hits such as "Elvira," "Bobbie Sue" and "American Made.".

In addition to his work in music, Bonsall was the author of 11 books, including a memoir called I See Myself that is slated for release in November 2024.

As part of his work with the Oak Ridge Boys he was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2015, he and his bandmates were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Bonsall was open about his health struggles in his latter years. He had a brush with death in 2022 after doctors found pulmonary embolisms, requiring a six-day hospital stay.

Bonsall had a solo chart credit alongside the band Sawyer Brown in their 1986 single "Out Goin' Cattin'", on which he was credited as "Cat Joe Bonsall".