Jo El Sonnier was an American singer-songwriter and accordionist who died on January 13, 2024 .
Originally signed to Mercury Nashville Records, Sonnier charted several minor singles on the Billboard country charts in the late 1970s.
By the late 1980s, he had signed to RCA Records, breaking through with the Top Ten hits “No More One More Time” and a cover of Richard Thompson’s “Tear-Stained Letter”.
Although his chart success waned at the beginning of the 1990s, he continued recording music, releasing more than thirty albums primarily on independent labels.
Jo El Sonnier cause of death
Jo El Sonnier died of a heart attack on January 13, 2024, just after a performance near Austin, Texas, at the age of 77.
Sonnier had just finished a concert at the Llano Country Opry in Llano on Saturday when he suffered a major heart attack.
‘Jo-El mentioned that he needed to rest for just a few minutes before signing autographs. Unfortunately, he suffered cardiac arrest and was air flighted to Austin where he was pronounced deceased,’ said Texas Country Music promoter Tracy Pitcox.
Sonnier had played for over an hour then ended the show with his signature song Tear Stained Letter. He received a standing ovation and returned to the stage to perform his song Jambalaya as an encore.
Pitcox said in a Facebook post, “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.”
Who was Jo-El Sonnier?
Jo-El Sonnier was a country and Cajun singer born October 2, 1946, in Rayne, Louisiana.
Sonnier began his music career when he was a child playing his brother’s accordion. At only six years old, Sonnier made his first radio debut.
In the ’70s, Sonnier signed with Mercury Nashville Records, however, he chose to go independent signing with Rounder Records.
He released his song Zydeco Gris-Gris as an independent artist which gained immense success.
In 1986, Sonnier was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording for Zydeco Gris-Gris.
Eventually, Sonnier went on to sign with Capitol Records in the ’90s.
Sonnier released more than 30 albums throughout his music career earning a Grammy win in 2015 for his 2013 album, The Legacy.
While The Legacy was his last recorded album, the Cajun legend still performed across the nation til his untimely death.
Jo El Sonnier wife
Jo-El Sonnier was married to his wife Bobbye for 31 years.
During their 25th anniversary, Sonnier took to Facebook to share the celebratory milestone.
Sonnier wrote: “Happy anniversary to my wife Bobbye of 25 years today.
“It’s our silver anniversary but it seems like only a few years ago that we said I do. The years are passin’ by quickly now but our love grows stronger each day.”
Jo El Sonnier children
Yet to update…………….
Jo El Sonnier illness
Jo-El Sonnier, the Grammy Award-winning Cajun and country artist, passed away on January 13, 2024, at the age of 77. He suffered a fatal cardiac arrest following a performance in Llano, Texas .
Jo El Sonnier net worth
According to idolnetworth.com, Jo-El Sonnier’s net worth is estimated to be $17 million.
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