Jo'el Sonnier

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

Isaac Miller
Posts: 83
Joined: 2 Aug 2016 8:09 am
Location: Lafayette,Louisiana

Jo'el Sonnier

Post by Isaac Miller »

Cajun & Country music Star Joel Sonnier has passed away, after peforming,in Llano Texas, from ,Cardiac Arrest,I knew Joel since we were young boys ,I also had the privilege & Honor of performing many shows,with him If anyone was dedicated to his,music it was,Joel,Our. Love & condolences to his ,loving wife ,Bobbie & their entire family. RIP Joe,you were truly,One of a kind ,Sincerly ,with sorrw ,Isaac Miller,Jr.
User avatar
Joachim Kettner
Posts: 7660
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 1:57 pm
Location: Germany

Post by Joachim Kettner »

I'm very sorry to hear this and also condolences to you and his family. I have two of his recordings which I like very much.
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube.
User avatar
Rick Campbell
Posts: 4496
Joined: 8 May 2006 12:01 am
Location: Sneedville, TN, USA

Post by Rick Campbell »

Sorry to hear this. Always enjoyed seeing him sing Tear Stained Letter. Saw him live. Good singer and entertainer. RIP

RC
User avatar
Brett Day
Posts: 5387
Joined: 17 Jun 2000 12:01 am
Location: Pickens, SC

Post by Brett Day »

I remember hearing "Tear Stained Letter" a few years after I started listening to country music. I remember another song he recorded called "Scene Of The Crime", which is another song I listened to a lot. I think Jo-El Sonnier was a great accordion player.
User avatar
Dave Mudgett
Moderator
Posts: 10435
Joined: 16 Jul 2004 12:01 am
Location: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Post by Dave Mudgett »

Really sorry to hear this. Saw him way, way, way back in a bar in the 70s, and was so pleased to see him hit the mainstream in the late 80s. But he was always true to his roots - you always knew what you were gonna get, and it was great. RIP.
billy tam R.I.P.
Posts: 1311
Joined: 27 Mar 1999 1:01 am
Location: baton rouge, louisiana

Jo-el

Post by billy tam R.I.P. »

Issac thanks for posting about Jo-el. Sorry to hear the news and my condolences and prayers for his family. Talented singer, performer, and songwriter. We did several shows and work a lot of shows with him when doing the big all day multi artist venues and two bands I was in recorded some of his songs. Great Louisiana talent.
Billy
User avatar
Craig Stock
Posts: 3908
Joined: 24 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Westfield, NJ USA

Post by Craig Stock »

RIP Jo-El

Nice obit below from SCM website'

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/coun ... rformance/
Regards, Craig

I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.

Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days
User avatar
Jim Cooley
Posts: 1853
Joined: 23 Apr 2010 9:12 am
Location: The 'Ville, Texas, USA

Post by Jim Cooley »

Jo-El passed away immediately after performing with Heart of Texas Records in Llano, Texas.

https://www.facebook.com/HEARTOFTEXASRECORDS
User avatar
Larry Dering
Posts: 5941
Joined: 17 May 2013 11:20 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Post by Larry Dering »

An absolute dynamic performer and musician. Rip Jo-El. My prayers for family and friends.
Christopher Breaz
Posts: 1
Joined: 25 May 2021 8:06 am
Location: Texas, USA

Post by Christopher Breaz »

"Come on Joe" introduced me to him many years ago. Rest in peace, Jo'El.
A few pedal guitars, a couple of lap steels, a handful of guitars, and a few amps.
William Holloman
Posts: 45
Joined: 26 Aug 2017 10:22 pm
Location: Florida, USA

Post by William Holloman »

So sorry to hear about my friend Jo-El. I met him as he was getting his record deal, and living in a motel room in Nashville. He took me to Possum Holler to see Kenny Rogers perform, and we were seated in the VIP section. RIP my friend.
User avatar
Donna Dodd
Posts: 6841
Joined: 29 Jul 2003 12:01 am
Location: Acworth, Georgia, USA

Post by Donna Dodd »

I was hooked on Jo’el the first time I heard ‘No more one more time.’ I’ve always heard what a really nice guy he was. Joe Rogers was a great friend of his.
May he rest in peace!
Donna Dodd
Georgia Steel Guitar Association (GaSGA) Board Member & Website Administrator
"Every person is a new door to a different world."
- from movie Six Degrees of Separation

Come visit my steel guitar store on CafePress! http://www.cafepress.com/zoomwithaview
Webmaster, http://www.georgiasteelguitar.com
User avatar
James Allison
Posts: 65
Joined: 21 May 2009 4:01 pm
Location: California, USA

Post by James Allison »

Very sad news indeed... Jo-el was an amazing, one of a kind Talent. Earl Ball introduced us in Nashville and we co-wrote "Wild Cajun Moon". What a voice and a more soulful Singer/ Musician I have yet to meet. We lost touch when I moved to Ca. and didn't see him until he toured here . A great reunion and we shared a wonderful and heartfelt Prayer with Bobbie at their hotel the memory of stays with me to this day. You will be so very missed my friend and my thoughts and prayers are with your Family...