Louisiana and the world of Cajun and Country music morns Jo-El Sonnier, the man who took the music of South Louisiana to the world. While on tour in Texas, Sonnier received a standing ovation for one of his biggest hits, Tear-Stained Letter, before he left the stage to rest before signing autographs. Minutes later he suffered a fatal heart attack. Cajun Music Historian, Wade Falcon…
“To pass away right after an amazing performance in Texas within minutes of sitting down it was as if his last calling was to make one grand performance before he left this world.”
Sonnier died doing what he had done his whole life, bringing joy to his audience with his songs like No More One More Time, Come on Joe, Raining in My Heart and others. Falcon says the Emmy award winning Cajun brought music to the world on local and national record labels and stages, and his remarkable career started early…
“The man started playing music at the age of 11. Started recording at the age of 13. Been on a stage and a studio ever since then.”
From a young age Sonnier learned from and played alongside great Cajun musicians from the post World War II Dance Hall era. Falcon says, Sonnier lived and breathed his style of music…
“I don’t think anyone who lived and breathed it nearly as deep as Jo-El Sonnier ever did. He went from Cajun music into the country music realm and bounced back a couple of times.”
Sonnier had a reputation for generosity. He performed and collaborated with many well-known Cajun and Country artists.
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