Jo-El Sonnier
Born: Oct. 2, 1946 in Rayne, La.
Jo-El Sonnier grew up in a family of poor, French-speaking sharecroppers. He began to play the accordion at three years of age. Singing only in French, he had his first radio debut at the age of 6 and his first recording session at the age of 11. A favorite in local clubs, Sonnier decided to try his luck at recording country music and in 1974 signed a recording contract with Mercury Records.
Commercial success eluded him, and after four years in Nashville, he moved to California where he began performing solo shows with his friends including guitarist Albert Lee and The Band's Garth Hudson. By the mid-1980s, Jo-El had a Grammy nominated recording to his credit with Cajun Life. Recognition combined with the album's success allowed Sonnier to fuse his deep Cajun roots with country, rock, and other pop influences. In 1987, a new recording contract with RCA Records produced “Come On Joe” which contained top 10 hits including "Tear-Stained Letter" and "No More One More Time."
Jo-El became a session player in Nashville and the sounds of his accordion can be heard on the albums of Alan Jackson, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Sammy Kershaw, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams, Jr. An accomplished musician, in addition to the accordion, Jo-El plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, drums and harmonica. As a songwriter, he has had songs recorded by Johnny Cash, George Strait, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Sonnier has also done his share of film acting. Among his credits you will find roles in Mask and A Thing Called Love. With three Grammy nominations for his French recordings, Sonnier continues to record and perform his traditional music.
Jo-El Sonnier sings "Tear Stained Letter."
