The Oak Ridge Boys’ New ‘Elvira’ Video Features Trace Adkins, Lorrie Morgan + More [WATCH]

Photo byCourtesy of 2911 Entertainment

The Oak Ridge Boys just released a video for their iconic hit, “Elvira,” 43 years after they originally released the song. The video, which was Joe Bonsall‘s last video he filmed before he passed away, features plenty of both country music’s legendary and rising stars, including Trace Adkins, Lorrie Morgan, Big & Rich, Ray Stevens, Chase Matthew, Kid Rock, The Gatlin Brothers and more.

Perhaps surprisingly, The Oak Ridge Boys have never filmed an official video for “Elvira,” until now. Directed by Brandon Wood, it was his idea to use the video to bring The Oak Ridge Boys’ music to a younger generation, and what convinced the four members, especially Duane Allen, to take the time to film a video for a song they released decades ago.

“When they started talking about doing a video of ‘Elvira,’ I wasn’t really on board,” Allen admits to Billboard. “It took a while for me to rally around the idea. Then I [realized] what they were doing was really paying tribute to the song, not us, and how that song affected everybody who heard it. [Then], I was gung-ho — because I really feel like once anybody hears that song, it’s just magic.”

When The Oak Ridge Boys filmed the video, Bonsall was already battling ALS, the disease that ultimately took his life last month. But even with his limited mobility, Bonsall was fully committed to doing the video.

“Joe was a pro,” Wood boasts. “He always gave 1000 percent and always had fun doing it. This day was no different. The energy he got from being in that room with his peers who love him was magical. We all felt it, but I think he particularly had a blast hugging necks and celebrating this amazing song. At one point when we were on a break, he grabbed my hand across the table and shared some words with me. He ended it with ‘I love you man.’ I’ll always remember that.”

According to Allen, even knowing he was battling an incurable disease did little to dampen Bonsall’s mood, or his determination to continue to be part of The Oak Ridge Boys for as long as he could.

“He was really feeling good,” Allen recalls of the day they shot the video. “It was just a great day. It was just like creating another piece of magic. You turn the cameras on and the song starts playing and everybody has fun.”

The video for “Elvira” is for The Oak Ridge Boys’ new version of the song, which will be part of a new album featuring both remakes of previous hits and new songs. Bonsall announced at the start of the year that he was coming off of the road as his health deteriorated. His loss was felt deeply by the remaining members of The Oak Ridge Boys, who continued on their American Made: Farewell Tour with Ben James filling in for Bonsall.

Photo byCourtesy of 2911 Entertainment

“For many years, Joe was my best friend,” Richard Sterban said, shortly after Bonsall passed away. “We knew each other long before we both became members of The Oak Ridge Boys. He was a special person, who was loved by everyone and was a true inspiration to us all. He was also the best singing partner a person could have. For several years he bravely fought a terrible disease and was a trooper right up until the very end. There is no doubt that today, he is in a much better place – at HOME with Jesus. I will see you soon my dear friend.”

Bonsall’s family requested that donations be made to The ALS Association or the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center, or Alive Hospice. Find all of the remaining dates on their American Made: Farewell Tour at OakRidgeBoys.com.