Joe Bonsall. Photo: Jon Mir
Joe Bonsall, the high-energy tenor singer of The Oak Ridge Boys, died yesterday (July 9).
As a member of the group, he is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Bonsall was a key vocalist on such Oak Ridge Boys hits as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made.”
Bonsall was raised on the rough streets of North Philadelphia. He entered a talent contest as a singer at age four and appeared on local television. But he joined a street gang at age 12 and turned his back on music and religion. After a severe beating at age 14, he turned his life around. He was fascinated by vocal harmonies, particularly by those in gospel quartets.
The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Alan Messer
He joined a local group called The Faith Four Quartet. Singing in New Jersey, he heard a truly professional ensemble named The Eastman Quartet. It featured bass singer Richard Sterban, who became a friend. After Sterban joined The Keystone Quartet, the group invited Joe Bonsall to join when he was 19.
The Keystones admired and imitated The Oak Ridge Boys, a quartet founded in 1943. William Lee Golden and Duane Allen had already become members of the Oaks by that time. The veteran group was known for modernizing the gospel sound. Steban joined The Oak Ridge Boys in 1972. Bonsall completed the Oaks’ modern lineup in 1973.
He moved to Nashville to join the rest of the group. The Oaks signed with Columbia Records and became even bigger gospel stars. But they were also known as “gospel rebels” for including secular songs in their repertoire and playing Las Vegas. They also jettisoned the matching-suits, gospel-quartet uniforms and grew their hair long. In addition, Bonsall and the Oaks began drifting into country music.
In 1974, they started singing with Johnny Cash. A year later, they issued “Rhythm Guitar” (“Nobody wants to play rhythm guitar behind Jesus”) and won a gospel Grammy Award for their version of Johnny Russell’s country hit “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor.” The Oaks became one of the first American acts to tour the Soviet Union when they travelled there with Roy Clark in 1976.
They repeated their Grammy-winning feat in 1977 and 1978 with “Where the Soul Never Dies” and “Just a Little Taik With Jesus.” Paul Simon featured the group singing harmonies on his 1977 pop hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.”
By then, The Oak Ridge Boys had stopped taking gospel bookings. The group signed with ABC/Dot Records and issued “Y’all Come Back Saloon” in the summer of 1977. It inaugurated a string of 34 top 10 country hits of 1977-1991, including 17 No. 1 smashes.
On stage, Joe Bonsall became the group’s “spark plug,” energetically bouncing along and cheer-leading its performances. Duane Allen usually sang lead, but Bonsall’s high vocals were often just as ear catching. William Lee Golden handled the tricky baritone harmonies and provided a striking visual presence with his “mountain man”/“Biblical-prophet” look. Richard Sterban dressed in dapper designer suits and captivated crowds with his ultra-low bass-vocal dips.
The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Brandon Wood
The Oak Ridge Boys were the first country act to incorporate lighting effects and innovative staging into its concerts. Their 1979 trek with Kenny Rogers and Dottie Wast is considered to be country’s first arena tour. The Oaks were named both the CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year in 1978.
The four moved to MCA Records just in time for 1980’s chart-topping “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.” The following year, The Oak Ridge Boys became top 10 pop stars with the Platinum-selling “Elvira.” It was named the CMA and ACM Single of the Year and won a Grammy Award.
Among the additional No. 1 country hits that followed were “Fancy Free” (1981), “Bobbie Sue” (1982), “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes” (1984), “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend” (1985) and the Grammy nominated “Gonna Take a Lot of River” (1988).
“American Made” (1983) became a commercial jingle for Miller Beer. “When You Get to the Heart” 1986) was a collaboration with Barbara Mandrell. On “Broken Trust” (1980), the Oaks memorably harmonized behind Brenda Lee. The group’s rendition of “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” (1990) was included on the movie soundtrack of My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.
Joe Bonsall. Photo: Jarret Gaza
Shooter Jennings promoted the group and arranged for the quartet to record The Boys Are Back as a comeback album in 2009. It contained their version of The White Stripes rock favorite “Seven Nation Army.” In 2013, The Oak Ridge Boys celebrated the 40th anniversary of their modern lineup with a special tour, a commemorative CD, an Oaks-themed cruise and a TV special.
In addition to his contributions to The Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall became a prolific author. He wrote 11 books including his upcoming memoir I See Myself, which is scheduled for publication in November.
The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 2011. In 2000, the group was elected to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Country Music Hall of Fame followed suit in 2015.
Joe Bonsall announced in January that he was retiring from touring with the group. This was because he was suffering from the neuromuscular affliction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bonsall passed away at age 76 due to complications from the disease.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. At Bonsall’s request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
On The Row: Bryan Martin Boldly Recounts Real Experiences In His Music
/by Liza AndersonBryan Martin. Photo: Julian Mendoza
Singer-songwriter Bryan Martin has turned heads with his bold, gritty and unapologetically authentic style. Following the Platinum certification of his top-10-and-climbing country radio single “We Ride,” and the release of his latest tune “Wishbone,” Martin took some time to share his story and some of his work with the MusicRow team.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Madison Hahnen, Liza Anderson, Sherod Robertson, Bryan Martin, MusicRow’s LB Cantrell and John Nix Arledge
The 36-year-old recounts real experiences in his music and, as his songwriting signifies, is no stranger to struggle. Martin briefly served in the U.S. military as a young adult. After returning home, he continued to fight, but in a different kind of war, and attempted to take his own life at the age of 19. Martin shared that the first song he ever penned came from the suicide note he wrote. While battling to break down mental barriers, he got married, became a father and accepted a job in the oil fields in his home state of Louisiana, where he worked for 15 years. During the pandemic, Martin dealt with family conflict and moved into a camper behind his father’s house with his guitar. While living there, he started soul-searching and wrote close to 800 songs by himself within a year—including tunes that fans are hearing today.
Martin continued to power through hardships, as he later suffered a brain injury from an almost fatal car crash in Kentucky. Due to the head trauma, the songsmith couldn’t remember how play any of the music he’d created, and doctors told him he’d likely never be able to write songs again. Martin reunited with his family after the accident, and was contemplating selling his guitar and returning to the oil industry. But he was soon talked out of it and began playing again while consulting with medical professionals. After receiving medication, Martin relearned his music and picked the pencil back up.
He released his debut project titled If It Was Easy in 2019, and had composed nearly 3,000 songs by the time he made the move to Music City in 2021, the same year he signed a record deal with Average Joes Entertainment. Once in Nashville, Martin was told by various industry members that it would take a him a few years to make it big and advised him to trust the process. Determined to take care of his family, he felt as though he didn’t have a few years to wait and wrote “We Ride,” which was released in 2022 after his sophomore album, Self Inflicted Scars. The chart-climber was featured on his third studio collection, Poets & Old Souls, that dropped last year.
Average Joes CEO Shannon Houchins and Martin then made a deal that if he reached five million streams per week on Spotify, Houchins would give him his truck. Martin’s social media followers tripled the two weeks that followed, and he ended up signing with WME. Six months later, he had garnered more than five million Spotify streams per week and found himself in Houchins’ truck.
MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson & Bryan Martin
After brawling with addiction, Martin is now over 140 days sober and tries to write five to 10 songs a week. A recent free agent in the publishing world, he has around 1,500 co-writes under his belt.
“I’m all my family has to depend on. My happiness and motivation comes from seeing them comfortable and happy,” said Martin. “I’ve almost died a couple times, and [since then] I’ve thought about what my legacy is going to be. I had to ask myself ‘Am I going to be known as someone who just kept bailing and giving up or someone who got out of their own damn way and made it happen?’ and I decided to get out of my own way.”
With fingers strengthened by hard work, he poured his heart into the viral smash in addition to the powerful “Goin’ For Broke” and unreleased tunes “Don’t Come Lookin’ For Me,” which seeks to give a speakeasy vibe, and “What About Me” as well as “Ain’t That My Ole Man,” a beautiful ballad about Martin’s dad that he wrote alongside Lee Thomas Miller and Nick Walsh, and newly-penned “Home Sweet Livin’ Hell.”
He expressed his immense gratitude for the established artists he has toured with, including Morgan Wallen, who reached out to Martin personally about joining his “One Night At A Time World Tour,” and shared how he hopes to help others.
“We’re all human, and we all come to this town with dreams. But we put so much pressure on ourselves that we ultimately set ourselves up to fail, and I’m just trying to change that trend,” expressed Martin. “I want to show people that they don’t have to be scared of falling off the deep end, that they can come here and enjoy their time chasing their dreams.”
He is set to open for Wallen this Thursday (July 11) and Friday (July 12) in Tampa, Florida.
Emma Zinck Inks With Bridgette Tatum’s Tatum Town
/by Lorie HollabaughEmma Zinck & Bridgette Tatum
Singer-songwriter Emma Zinck has signed a production development and project management deal with Bridgette Tatum‘s Tatum Town.
“Emma is such an innovator with a level of musical integrity that makes each note exciting and important,” says Tatum. “Her latest release ‘Leather Jacket’ is a glimpse into why it’s so easy to believe in and be a fan of her endless creativity. I am so proud to be co-producing her project and that she chose Tatum Town to work and walk alongside as her career continues to rise.”
“Bridgette is a multifaceted player in the music industry,” says Zinck. “She’s a versatile songwriter, understands what it means to be an artist, and has truly taken the time to understand who I am as an artist. Her ideas in production uplift my creativity while allowing me to be all of the musician I am in the studio. I think it’s pretty bad ass that two women are co-producing together. She keeps it real, and that means the most to me.”
Tatum is an accomplished artist, songwriter, and producer with over 100 recorded songs under her belt, including the No. 1 most-played song of 2009, Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country.” She’s also had recent cuts by Ashley Cooke and Annie Bosko and her production credits include sister duo The Lockets, Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si & The Sicotics and Zinck.
BMI Appoints Two To Leadership Team
/by Lorie HollabaughTom Kershaw & Justin Rohde
BMI has announced the appointment of two senior executives: Tom Kershaw as Chief Technology Officer and Justin Rohde as Chief Transformation Officer. They will lead major initiatives as the company advances its strategic growth plan, reporting to President & CEO Mike O’Neill.
With over 20 years of experience working in technology-based markets, Kershaw co-founded open-source software organization prebid.org. He joins BMI from Travelport, a leader in travel distribution for air, hotel, car and rail. Kershaw has also held positions at Google and Ericsson. He received his undergraduate degree from New York University (NYU) and his master’s degree from London School of Economics. Kershaw will succeed BMI’s Chief Information Officer Mike West, who recently announced his retirement from the company.
“Tom’s background and track record of driving digital transformation, coupled with his passion for innovation and experience working with large scale data, position him well to lead BMI’s significant technological advancement and modernization,” notes O’Neill. “These include our efforts to manage the opportunities and challenges of AI and create new avenues for affiliates and licensing partners to enhance their BMI experience through technology.”
Rohde has more than two decades of experience in strategic management and building growth opportunities for corporations and consulting firms. He brings knowledge in process improvement, sales effectiveness, product development and global business management to BMI from Xplor Technologies, a Global SaaS and Payments conglomerate, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Transformation Officer. His previously led product development and growth strategies at Integramed America as well as management and strategy consulting at Bain & Company. Rohde received his undergraduate degree and two master’s degrees from Northwestern University.
“Justin brings a wealth of experience in driving business growth by pairing strategic vision with practical implementation. He will not only help us enhance our processes and programs, but also will lead our efforts to obtain new revenue sources for our affiliates. This is the absolute right time for our company to add the position of Chief Transformation Officer, as we continue to accelerate our plan to maximize royalties and improve the service we provide to our creative community,” says O’Neill.
Alexandra Kay Plots European Headlining Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughAlexandra Kay will head out on a European tour in the spring of 2025, with dates in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Manchester and more. The news follows Kay opening for Morgan Wallen across the pond at his Independence Day show for 50,000 people at Hyde Park in London.
Kay began writing songs at the age of 15 and after two failed major label deals and a starring role in a Netflix Original series, focused fully on her music. She has since gained over 300 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music through independent releases, and in October of 2023, dropped her debut album All I’ve Ever Known. The project spent multiple weeks in the No. 1 spot on the iTunes all genre and country charts in the U.S. and the UK, and top 10 on multiple Billboard Charts.
The singer-songwriter also has a single with Jelly Roll on the soundtrack for the new Twisters movie, which releases July 19, the same day she starts her U.S. headline run at House of Blues Cleveland. She will play 30+ arenas supporting Jelly Roll hitting the road this August as well.
Lindsay Ell To Receive CCMA’s Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award
/by Lorie HollabaughLindsay Ell is the Canadian Country Music Association’s 2024 recipient of the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award for her achievements with The Make You Movement fund, in addition to her advocacy work and support for sexual assault survivors and the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
After bravely coming forward with news of her own sexual assault with the 2020 release of “Make You,” Ell launched The Make You Movement, a charitable fund dedicated to raising money for organizations providing support for disenfranchised youth, specifically focusing on survivors of sexual trauma and domestic abuse. With Ell galvanizing friends and fans from all over the world to contribute, the fund has received donations in excess of $33,000. The Community Fund of Middle Tennessee, which manages The Make You Movement, recently confirmed that her international giving ranks among the highest of their more than 1,600 donors.
Ell’s commitment to advocacy extends to her long-time support of the Nashville Sexual Assault Center, where she recently spoke on behalf of the organization’s Safe Tracks Bystander Intervention Training program, launched in 2023 and designed specifically for the music industry. She continues to use her platform to boost donation opportunities through her appearances, spending time in Calgary working with the Woods Homes Foundation, contributing to the Rainbow Railroad and The Glenn Gould Foundation and working with organizations like RAINN and Youth For Tomorrow to raise much needed funds. Ell has also worked with The CMA Foundation as an Artist Ambassador, ACM Lifting Lives, Notes for Notes and St. Jude’s Country Cares program.
“Lindsay’s courage in sharing her own story to help others is truly inspiring,” says Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “She consistently uses her platform to advocate for those in need, and her dedication to making a positive change in the world makes her incredibly deserving of this honour. We look forward to celebrating her and her amazing work in Edmonton this September.”
“I think one of the most important responsibilities of artists is to use their platforms for good, to do everything they can to change the world or at least make it better for those whose voices aren’t always heard,” says Ell. “I’m so proud of what we have accomplished through The Make You Movement and know that this is just the beginning. Thank you to both The Slaight Family and the CCMA for inspiring this community to dig deep and help where we can with the creation of this award. I promise to continue this work with both passion and dedication.”
“Lindsay Ell’s remarkable contributions to improving the lives of countless individuals both in Canada and around the world is commendable,” shares Slaight, President and CEO of The Slaight Family Foundation. “The Slaight Family Foundation has always prioritized giving back to those in need as a fundamental human responsibility, and we wholeheartedly support Lindsay’s dedication to this mission. Her outstanding work with The Make You Movement and other charitable organizations truly merits this Humanitarian Award, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to her.”
The 2024 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award will be presented to Ell during a private industry event as part of Country Music Week 2024, taking place Sept. 11-14 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Matt Musacchio’s Champ Management Partners With Red Light
/by John Nix ArledgeMatt Musacchio. Photo: Alan Poizner
Artist manager Matt Musacchio has unveiled a partnership between his company, Champ Management, and Red Light Management. This collaboration brings artists Vincent Mason, Jessie James Decker and Dawson Anderson to Red Light’s roster. Alongside these artists, Kyle Marsh has joined the team as a day-to-day manager.
“I have always looked up to what Coran Capshaw has built, and after getting the opportunity to sit with him and talk about joining the Red Light Management family, I knew it was the right next step for Champ Management and my clients,” shares Musacchio. “I’m excited to get to work with such an incredible team with endless opportunities.”
“We’re excited about our partnership with Matt Musacchio,” adds Capshaw. “He has a great roster of artists and we look forward to working to help enhance all aspects of their business.”
Mason, discovered by Musacchio in 2022, has recently gained attention with his viral hit “Hell is a Dance Floor” which scored him a record deal with Interscope Records/UMG Nashville/Music Soup. Decker, managed by Musacchio since 2015, has achieved significant success, including her album, Southern Girl City Lights, reaching No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. Anderson, formerly part of the band Temecula Road, is now pursuing a solo career with new music set to release via Empire.
Reach Musacchio at matt.musacchio@redlightmanagement.com and Marsh at kyle.marsh@redlightmanagement.com.
Inaugural U.S. ‘Red Bull Jukebox’ To Take Place At Ascend Amphitheater This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughRed Bull has announced that its inaugural U.S. “Red Bull Jukebox” will take place at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Oct. 2. “Red Bull Jukebox” is a new live music experience that allows fans to determine what songs are performed and how.
Brothers Osborne, Shaboozey, Priscilla Block, Tucker Wetmore, Muscadine Bloodline, Breland, The Castellows and some surprise guests will step onstage to perform setlists created entirely by their fans during the special show. Hosted by Whiskey Jam’s Ward Guenther, the event will also feature the “Red Bull Jukebox” house band, curated by guitarist and producer Derek Wells. Tickets go on sale this Friday (July 12) at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, click here.
Leading up to the event, fans can visit the “Red Bull Jukebox” the website to vote across multiple categories and shape the performances they want to see. The first vote is now open to the public, and attendees will be able to vote on more unique categories on artists’ socials throughout the summer as well as in person at the show. Each attendee will receive a light-up wristband upon entry, giving them the option to choose “red” or “blue” to vote for each live pick.
“‘Red Bull Jukebox’ has created a brand new way to experience a concert–letting the fans vote on our setlists,” says Shaboozey. “I can’t wait to see what y’all pick!”
“This being Nashville, the potential for surprises around Whiskey Jam and knowing Red Bull’s tendency to surprise—this event has great potential. You never know. Somebody’s always here,” notes Guenther. “Overall, the uniqueness of this event, this being the first ‘Red Bull Jukebox’ in America, coming to Nashville, Whiskey Jam being involved, is one of the biggest honors we’ve ever had. Nashville has never seen a show like this.”
Additionally, songwriters from Music City and beyond have submitted songs to the “Red Bull Jukebox” songwriting competition over the past few months. Applicants were narrowed down to the five that fans can now vote on. The winner will be announced during the event in October, and awarded an all-expenses paid trip to record at Red Bull Music Studios in Los Angeles. They will also receive one-on-one coaching sessions with a professional songwriter and BMI.
Oak Ridge Boy Joe Bonsall Passes At Age 76 [Full Obituary]
/by Robert K OermannJoe Bonsall. Photo: Jon Mir
Joe Bonsall, the high-energy tenor singer of The Oak Ridge Boys, died yesterday (July 9).
As a member of the group, he is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Bonsall was a key vocalist on such Oak Ridge Boys hits as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made.”
Bonsall was raised on the rough streets of North Philadelphia. He entered a talent contest as a singer at age four and appeared on local television. But he joined a street gang at age 12 and turned his back on music and religion. After a severe beating at age 14, he turned his life around. He was fascinated by vocal harmonies, particularly by those in gospel quartets.
The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Alan Messer
He joined a local group called The Faith Four Quartet. Singing in New Jersey, he heard a truly professional ensemble named The Eastman Quartet. It featured bass singer Richard Sterban, who became a friend. After Sterban joined The Keystone Quartet, the group invited Joe Bonsall to join when he was 19.
The Keystones admired and imitated The Oak Ridge Boys, a quartet founded in 1943. William Lee Golden and Duane Allen had already become members of the Oaks by that time. The veteran group was known for modernizing the gospel sound. Steban joined The Oak Ridge Boys in 1972. Bonsall completed the Oaks’ modern lineup in 1973.
He moved to Nashville to join the rest of the group. The Oaks signed with Columbia Records and became even bigger gospel stars. But they were also known as “gospel rebels” for including secular songs in their repertoire and playing Las Vegas. They also jettisoned the matching-suits, gospel-quartet uniforms and grew their hair long. In addition, Bonsall and the Oaks began drifting into country music.
In 1974, they started singing with Johnny Cash. A year later, they issued “Rhythm Guitar” (“Nobody wants to play rhythm guitar behind Jesus”) and won a gospel Grammy Award for their version of Johnny Russell’s country hit “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor.” The Oaks became one of the first American acts to tour the Soviet Union when they travelled there with Roy Clark in 1976.
They repeated their Grammy-winning feat in 1977 and 1978 with “Where the Soul Never Dies” and “Just a Little Taik With Jesus.” Paul Simon featured the group singing harmonies on his 1977 pop hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.”
By then, The Oak Ridge Boys had stopped taking gospel bookings. The group signed with ABC/Dot Records and issued “Y’all Come Back Saloon” in the summer of 1977. It inaugurated a string of 34 top 10 country hits of 1977-1991, including 17 No. 1 smashes.
On stage, Joe Bonsall became the group’s “spark plug,” energetically bouncing along and cheer-leading its performances. Duane Allen usually sang lead, but Bonsall’s high vocals were often just as ear catching. William Lee Golden handled the tricky baritone harmonies and provided a striking visual presence with his “mountain man”/“Biblical-prophet” look. Richard Sterban dressed in dapper designer suits and captivated crowds with his ultra-low bass-vocal dips.
The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Brandon Wood
The Oak Ridge Boys were the first country act to incorporate lighting effects and innovative staging into its concerts. Their 1979 trek with Kenny Rogers and Dottie Wast is considered to be country’s first arena tour. The Oaks were named both the CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year in 1978.
The four moved to MCA Records just in time for 1980’s chart-topping “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.” The following year, The Oak Ridge Boys became top 10 pop stars with the Platinum-selling “Elvira.” It was named the CMA and ACM Single of the Year and won a Grammy Award.
Among the additional No. 1 country hits that followed were “Fancy Free” (1981), “Bobbie Sue” (1982), “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes” (1984), “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend” (1985) and the Grammy nominated “Gonna Take a Lot of River” (1988).
“American Made” (1983) became a commercial jingle for Miller Beer. “When You Get to the Heart” 1986) was a collaboration with Barbara Mandrell. On “Broken Trust” (1980), the Oaks memorably harmonized behind Brenda Lee. The group’s rendition of “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” (1990) was included on the movie soundtrack of My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.
Joe Bonsall. Photo: Jarret Gaza
Shooter Jennings promoted the group and arranged for the quartet to record The Boys Are Back as a comeback album in 2009. It contained their version of The White Stripes rock favorite “Seven Nation Army.” In 2013, The Oak Ridge Boys celebrated the 40th anniversary of their modern lineup with a special tour, a commemorative CD, an Oaks-themed cruise and a TV special.
In addition to his contributions to The Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall became a prolific author. He wrote 11 books including his upcoming memoir I See Myself, which is scheduled for publication in November.
The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 2011. In 2000, the group was elected to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Country Music Hall of Fame followed suit in 2015.
Joe Bonsall announced in January that he was retiring from touring with the group. This was because he was suffering from the neuromuscular affliction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bonsall passed away at age 76 due to complications from the disease.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. At Bonsall’s request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi To Release Solo Project
/by LB CantrellBrad Tursi of the multi-Platinum, award-winning country band Old Dominion is releasing his first ever solo album next Friday (July 19). The project, titled Parallel Love, will arrive via Sony Music Nashville.
Tursi’s 10-song collection has been written over the past decade, and reflects where the accomplished artist, guitarist and songwriter is in the present moment. Parallel Love was created and released with the band’s full support, and was produced entirely by Tursi, with Ben West and Marc Scibilia co-producing select tracks. Stephen Wilson Jr., Dan Isbell, Jessi Alexander and Matt Jenkins are featured as co-writers on the album.
“This process was purely creative. I wasn’t even sure I’d release a project, but when I played it for my team, they all reacted really positively,” Tursi shares. “It felt like everything aligned to finally share it.”
In addition to Tursi’s role in CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year, he is a prominent songwriter on Music Row. The Grammy nominee has earned multiple CMA Triple Play Awards for writing three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period, been named AIMP Artist Writer of the Year and co-written hits for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker and Cole Swindell, among others.
Parallel Love Tracklist:
1. Oh Darlin’ (Intro) (Brad Tursi)
2. Church Bells and Train Whistles (Brad Tursi/Ben West/Stephen Wilson Jr.)
3. Question the Universe (Brad Tursi)
4. Where You Been (Brad Tursi)
5. Parallel Love (Brad Tursi/Dan Isbell)
6. Oh Darlin’ (Interlude) (Brad Tursi)
7. Crazy Life (Brad Tursi)
8. Lover and a Fried (Brad Tursi)
9. Afraid to Love (Brad Tursi/Jessi Alexander/Matt Jenkins)
10. Oh Darlin’ (Outro) (Brad Tursi)
Produced by Brad Tursi
Track 2 Produced by Brad Tursi & Ben West
Tracks 3, 9 Produced by Brad Tursi & Marc Scibilia
Shaboozey Notches First No. 1 On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
/by Liza AndersonShaboozey. Photo: Daniel Prakopcyk
Shaboozey has notched his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and top 10 breakthrough on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, with double-Platinum hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
This week marks the tune’s ninth week in the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and its 12th week overall. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” peaked at the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Songs Of The Summer chart, upon release earlier this year. Shaboozey and Beyoncé also made history as the first two Black artists to lead the chart with back-to-back No. 1 songs on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart.
The track has amassed more than 700 million streams and landed in the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, where it became the first independent single to top the Australian Recording Industry Association charts this year, as well as Canada, Sweden, Denmark and the U.K.’s Big 40.
The rising star recently performed “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards last month, with a surprise appearance by J-Kwon, and during Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks special this past weekend. Additionally, he plans to kick off his “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going Fall Tour” in September, and join Jelly Roll on the “Beautifully Broken Tour 2024” later this fall.