WATCH: Did You Catch the Oak Ridge Boys’ Powerful Joe Bonsall Tribute at the CMAs?

The 2024 CMA Awards were full of powerful moments, but there was one especially poignant tribute that seemed to fly under the radar for a lot of fans.

The CMAs included two huge tributes in 2024. Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson and Chris Stapleton led an all-star tribute to George Strait, which ended with the King of Country himself joining in.

Ashley McBryde also took the stage to perform “Help Me Make It Through the Night” as a tribute to Kris Kristofferson, who died in September.

However, the awards also included an emotional tribute from the Oak Ridge Boys, who spoke glowingly of their departed bandmate, Joe Bonsall.

Bonsall died in July after battling ALS for years, and his colleagues of five decades were visibly emotional when they took the stage to present the award for Vocal Group of the Year, taking a few moments to remember the singer.

Duane Allen, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden took the stage, with Allen saying, “It’s an honor for us to be here tonight. Sadly, our member for 50 years and friend, the great Joe Bonsall, is no longer with us.”

“It’s been just a few months since he passed away, and we miss him so much,” he reflected.

“We miss the laughs and the laughter, and the music and the memories he gave us,” Sterban added. “As I know all of you do.”

Golden was the last to speak, saying, “Joseph, you’ll always be with us.”

Bonsall retired from the Oak Ridge Boys as a touring member in January and was replaced by a young singer named Ben James, who’s been singing his old parts during the group’s farewell tour.

RELATED: Joe Bonsall’s Oak Ridge Boys Legacy Is So Much Bigger Than Just Music

The Oak Ridge Boys announced their farewell tour in September of 2023. Their official tour calendar shows dates through Dec. 21, but it’s unclear if they will add more dates in 2025, or what will be the final concert date of their career.

*Remember: The best way to watch the CMA Awards is on ABC with ToC on your phone.

Country Stars Who Are Retiring in 2024

Every road has to come to an end, and 2024 finds a number of country stars saying goodbye to their fans. Read on to see which country stars have announced that they are retiring in 2024.

Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

John Michael Montgomery

John Michael Montgomery announced that he was retiring from the road in a statement in January of 2024, thanking his fans for a long run.

“I’ve been fortunate and blessed to be able to do what I love for so many years,” he wrote on social media.

Montgomery’s biggest hits include “I Swear,” “I Can Love You Like That” and “I Love the Way You Love Me.”

His official website listed dates through Nov. 2, though he initially said he planned to wrap his touring career in 2025.

It remains to be seen if he will add more shows in 2025 before stepping out of the spotlight permanently, but Montgomery’s official website currently shows no upcoming dates.

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Ray Stevens

Ray Stevens revealed that 2024 would be his final year of regular live performances in a social media statement in January of 2024.

The 85-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer wrapped his run of live shows at his Nashville night club, Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom, in December of 2024, and his official calendar offers no future dates.

However, he still plans to write and record, as well as performing sporadically.

Larry Busacca, Getty Images

Faith Hill

Faith Hill has been in and out of the spotlight sporadically for most of the last 20 years, but from the looks of things, she may have quietly stepped out of the public rat race for good in 2024.

Hill hasn’t released a full-length solo album since Fireflies in 2005, and even her most recent work, 2017’s collaboration The Rest of Our Life with husband Tim McGraw, is nearly a decade old now.

Their joint tour in 2018 marked the last time she toured, and Hill has been mostly out of the public eye since she made the media rounds to promote her starring role in 1883 in 2021.

In 2024, Hill abruptly deleted all of her social media accounts, and even her official website only shows visitors a blank screen. It’s unclear if she even has a publicist or professional representation anymore, and if Hill has any further plans to work in the music business, it’s certainly not apparent.

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Joe Bonsall

Oak Ridge Boys singer Joe Bonsall announced that he would retire from the road in January of 2024.

The beloved singer had been battling a neuromuscular disease in recent years, which forced him to retire before the Country Music Hall of Famers could complete their previously announced farewell tour.

Sadly, Bonsall did not just retire; the singer died on July 9, 2024, as a result of complications from ALS. He was 76.

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

The Oak Ridge Boys

Though Bonsall had to bow out early, he’s not the only member of the Oak Ridge Boys who announced his retirement.

The Country Music Hall of Famers announced their American Made: Farewell Tour in September of 2023.

Their official website initially showed dates through December of 2024. However, those dates went so well that they have announced new tour dates for 2025, with shows scheduled all the way through December.

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is retiring from the road after his next run of shows … or, is he?

The 66-year-old country icon has announced a run of shows that he’s calling his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour, with dates in 2024 and 2025.

Jackson stopped short of calling it a farewell tour in a press release, but he did say the shows would mark the final time he would play those cities. Further dates are possible, but dependent on his health.

The country icon revealed in 2021 that he had been living with a degenerative nerve condition for more than ten years. Jackson has been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which causes nerve damage in the body, primarily in the arms and legs.

“I’ve been touring for over 30 years – my daughters are all grown, we have one grandchild and one on the way… and I’m enjoying spending more time at home,” he states. “But my fans always show up to have a good time, and I’m going to give them the best show I can for this Last Call.”

Jackson’s official tour calendar currently shows dates through May of 2025, with nothing further announced so far.

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Doug Stone

Doug Stone revealed his plans to retire from the road in December of 2023, citing his desire to spend more time with his family.

“I’ve been on the road for 34 years, and I’m still in pretty good shape,” Stone said. “I’ve missed a whole lot of family life. I’ve got a seven-year-old daughter now, and it’s time to come off the road and have a home life.”

Stone is known for a string of ’90s hits including “I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),” “In a Different Light,” “A Jukebox With a Country Song,” “Why Didn’t I Think of That” and more.

His official tour calendar initially showed dates through Aug. 22. Stone has since added just two shows for 2025, but it appears that he is stepping away from his live career for the most part.

Stone plans to continue to release new music periodically.

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band announced their upcoming retirement from the road in January of 2024.

The band embarked on their All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour in March, with initial shows planned through Sept. 14.

The group has added more shows for 2025, with dates so far scheduled through June.

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood announced that he was retiring from the road in a podcast interview in November of 2023.

The 82-year-old country legend said health concerns including two titanium knees and a titanium cage in his back factored into his decision, as well as his two sons being in college.

However, Greenwood has since announced a run of additional shows for 2025. His official tour schedule includes shows through Nov. 8, but he has not yet announced his final show.

Read More: Did You Catch the Oak Ridge Boys’ Powerful Joe Bonsall Tribute? | https://tasteofcountry.com/oak-ridge-boys-joe-bonsall-tribute-2024-cma-awards/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQBrYlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeu2v8x0g6OLz1k5KiwR5VeaFgFoSRkppYAXmxmWJtMs3A4RIkt0t2sGw8BEw_aem_hZez3_2-I8ZJj20c3JT0PQ&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral