Fans, friends share tributes following death of Jo-El Sonnier

Fans, friends share tributes following death of Jo-El Sonnier

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Grammy award-winning Cajun recording artist Jo-El Sonnier has died at the age of 77 while touring in Texas.

The Louisiana legend had completed a show at the Llano Country Opry on Saturday night before suffering a major heart attack shortly after his performance. According to Texas Country Music promoter Tracy Pitcox, Sonnier ended his show with “Tear-Stained Letter” and received a standing ovation.

Sonnier is a Rayne native and known for many hits, like “No More One More Time,” “Come On Joe,” “I’ve Been Around Enough To Know,” and “Raining In My Heart.” His musical talent emerged early, and he began playing his brother’s accordion by the age of three. By six, he had been on the radio, and by age 11, Sonnier has recorded his first songs.

He first was signed to Mercury Nashville Records in the 1970′s in pursuit of a country music career, but he began recording Cajun music on the independent Rounder Records label, with whom he was nominated for a Grammy. After Sonnier was signed as Merle Haggard’s opening act, he decided to return to country music.

Sonnier moved to Capitol Records in the 1990′s, continuing to make music and briefly taking up acting, as well. He continued to find success, and his albums “Cajun Pride” and “Cajun Blood” received Grammy nominations.

In 2009, Sonnier was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

He continued to stay busy, winning a Grammy in 2015 for is album “The Legacy” and making appearances in the HBO series True Detective.

Tributes have flooded in from friends and fans, highlighting Sonnier’s lasting contributions to Cajun and country music.