Joe Bonsall - From His Perspective | Absolutely Gospel Music

Joe Bonsall - From His Perspective

Most fans of Gospel and Country music know you as the tenor for the Oak Ridge Boys. However, you're also an accomplished writer. Tell us about your new book.

My new book is called From My Perspective. It is a broad canvas! It contains commentaries, musings, short stories and anecdotes about many different subjects from Oak Ridge Boys and music to Faith and inspiration, from humor to banjos to barn swallows to veterans to Johnny Cash. Folks are enjoying it, and that is a blessing to me. I hope to entertain, but mostly, I hope to inspire with this book. I want people to take a good look at America, our troops and our Veterans, and I hope folks will learn the importance of quiet time with God and allow more of JESUS into their lives after reading From My Perspective!

From My Perspective isn't your first book - what else have you written?

Well, I wrote a series of children’s books in the late 90s called the Molly The Cat Series which was published by Ideals Children’s Books and was very successful. I wrote a book on The Oak Ridge Boys called An American Journey, another children’s book called An Inconvenient Christmas, and my most successful book to date has been G.I. Joe and Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty which was based on the lives of my parents and the greatest generation. By the way, ALL of these books are available at amazon.com under Joseph S Bonsall (blatant plug! HA!).

How did you find out that you loved to write?

Well, I love words, and I love stories. I have ever since I was little, but I must admit I never thought I would ever really have a byline on anything. My old English teachers are spinning about now!

Avid followers of social media know you well on Twitter (@joebonsall) - how has that specific platform affected you? What kind of new relationships do you see forming from such an avenue?

Well I just love Twitter for many reasons. I can keep people updated on the group with @oakridgeboys, and with @joebonsall, I can do lots of things. I love to tweet about sports, banjos, cats, and every other little goofy thing that I think might be entertaining. But then I love to come up with a good Bible verse or comment of personal faith that might get people to stop and think for a minute. I really treat it like From My Perspective... again... a broad canvas. I have also made a ton of friends through Twitter and have gotten to know a lot of people better then I would have otherwise. For instance, this whole interview is a result of getting to know @chrisunthank on TWITTER. (We all have @ in front of our names there.)

On Twitter, you talk a lot about your farm. Tell us about that, and how does your time there affect you spiritually, emotionally, and physically?

My wife Mary and I bought a 400 acre farm on the Kentucky / Tennessee line about 13 years ago. Growing up in a big city as I did, I never dreamed I would have such a place. People see me as outgoing and surrounded by friends, but on a gut level I am a very private and alone type person and going out to my farm is perfect for me. My grandchildren love the place as well. I fuel up there. I work hard and take long walks and also spend a lot of time alone in nature in prayer and communication with God on every level. Of course you do NOT have to own a place in the country to do that!

How do you feel about gaining new, young fans? What do you guys do to actively participate in gaining younger fans?

The Oak Ridge Boys are the quintessential music group. We have been passed down through generations. Many times we will see the young kids singing our old songs, and I will challenge them. “That song was out before you were born!” Their comeback is always, “Our parents played your music the whole time we were growing up!” Pretty cool! Of course from a musical standpoint we are a forward thinking group, and we are always trying to update and do things better. And as a side-note, our band rocks!!!

Working in both Country and Gospel markets - what words of advice can you give Gospel artists in the areas of fan growth that they might not have thought of before?

Well, the most important thing is giving it all you have, every time there is an opportunity to do so. You must follow your heart and follow your dreams and prepare to work hard and sacrifice. There are no shortcuts no matter what kind of music you play!

Tell us about the Oak Ridge Boys' current Christmas tour.

This is our 23rd Annual Christmas Tour, and for the most part, we have taken it west this year. I am in fact answering these questions in Salt Lake City. It is amazing how big this tour has become. This year before we arrive home on December 22nd, we will have played 37 shows. Each night, we perform 40 minutes of hits and several new songs from our new CD. Then we take a 20 minute intermission and do a 75 minute full production Christmas Show. It is very cool. People can see us at the State Fair in August and then see a whole different show in December. We play at these beautiful performing arts centers for the most part, and we rarely see an empty seat. It also provides a great chance to witness about the real meaning of the season - the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

What's next for the Oak Ridge Boys?

2011 will be a busy year on the road and in the studio. We have several different projects on the table right now, including a new Cracker Barrel CD which we are really stoked about. A new Gospel album and a new Christmas album plan is also on the table.

What has God been teaching you lately?

Humility. To always be thankful for good health and the blessings of doing just what I dreamed of doing as a little boy growing up in Philly. Nothing ever taken for granted. I give Him the honor and praise for the life I have lived and the blessings I have shared with my family and friends.

Any additional information you'd like to share?

Folks can go to www.josephsbonsall.com and learn about my book and also visit www.oakridgeboys.com for a ton of info and cool stuff. They can also follow me on Twitter - @joebonsall!