Ben James set to replace Joe Bonsall as he steps away from touring with The Oak Ridge Boys due to illness

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Joe Bonsall, the tenor singer of 'The Oak Ridge Boys', revealed that he is stepping away from touring due to health concerns.

Ben James, who was introduced to the band in 2022, will replace Bonsall, according to People.

Why is Joe Bonsall retiring from touring?

On Wednesday, December 3, the 75-year-old singer revealed to the outlet that he is retiring from touring with the iconic country music group.

"Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road," said Bonsall.

"It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years and I am thankful to all the The Oak Ridge Boys band crew and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all," he said.

"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," he added.

Who is Ben James?

James who will be replacing Bonsall was introduced by Duane Allen, Richard Sterban, and William Lee Golden of 'The Oak Ridge Boys' during a concert in Greenville, Mississippi on December 30, 2023.

"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," said Bonsall.

"The Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me but rest assured I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!," he added.

James was first introduced during the band's concert in Wheeling, West Virginia. “Joe handed me the mic and said, 'You've got the next verse,’ said James.

"And I'm not sure I will ever get over that moment. ‘Elvira’ was always on repeat when I was growing up. It’s still one of those timeless songs that never grow old," the 27-year-old added.

The Oak Ridge Boys' farewell tour

Celebrating the 50th year of the bandmates playing their first show together, The Oak Ridge Boys will be touring through September for their The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Farewell Tour.

The tour has been named after the Country Music Hall of Famers' hit track 'American Made' which was released in 1983. The bandmates will be performing fan-favorites at the farewell shows.

"You could have never convinced that 25-year-old Joe Bonsall in 1973 that in 50 years the four of us would still be singing together and still loving every second of it," read Bonsall's statement shared to People in September 2023.

"Our mantra has always been LET’S SING… it still is!" he continued. "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," the singer added.