LLANO, TX (CelebrityAccess) – Grammy Award-winning Cajun and Country music singer/songwriter and accordion player Jo-El Sonnier passed away Saturday (January 13). The cause of death was a heart attack following his performance in Llano, TX. He was 77.
Sonnier, a notable figure in the Cajun and country music scenes, had completed a show at the Llano Country Opry. According to KPEL965, Texas Country Music promoter Tracy Pitcox said Sonnier ended his performance of “Tear Stained Letter” by receiving a standing ovation.
“He performed energetically and then mentioned he needed to rest before signing autographs. Sadly, he suffered cardiac arrest and was air flighted to Austin, where he was pronounced deceased,” Pitcox said.
“It is never easy to lose a legend, but he truly spent his final day doing what he loved – entertaining his fans with his loving wife Bobbye by his side,” Pitcox shared.
Born in Rayne, LA, to French-speaking sharecroppers, Sonnier’s musical talent emerged early. He played his brother’s accordion at three, was on the radio by six, and recorded his first songs at eleven. His career spanned several decades, beginning with independent singles and albums as a teenager. He later signed with Mercury Nashville Records in the 1970s but found greater success in the 1980s with RCA Records, producing hits like “No More One More Time” and “Tear Stained Letter.”
He received his first Grammy nomination for Zydeco Gris-Gris, his second for the 1997 album Cajun Pride, and his third nomination for his 2001 album Cajun Blood. In 2006, he was nominated a fourth time for his album Cajun Mardi Gras, and in 2015, he received his fifth nomination and first Grammy win for the album The Legacy.
Sonnier’s contributions to music were recognized with his induction into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009. He also appeared in the HBO series True Detective and released a children’s book in 2017 titled The Little Boy Under the Wagon, which he used to reveal his own Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis.
Tributes have poured in from friends and fans.
The Oak Ridge Boys: “Rest in Peace long time friend and Cajun music legend JO-EL SONNIER.”
Actor Judge Reinhold: “Jo-El fused rock-n-roll and cajun music … He was a legend in the music industry and played with the greats. … I will miss my sweet friend.”
Leroy Thomas: “Our great friend Jo-El Sonnier passed away after a great performance in Texas last night. RIP LEGEND.
RIP.
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