Jo-El was a very humble man. He loved his fans, fishing, crabbing, and the simple way of Cajun life. He was more than a "Cajun Born, and Cajun Bred. He was proud to be a Cajun, and lived the Cajun life, and set the bar high. R.I.P. brother. Well done!
I was just a teenager and on the air in a country station in Wyoming when No More One More Time came out of nowhere to be a top 10 hit that nobody knew was going to be a hit. It was just Jo-El doing what he does. It was as much a factor that he was touring with Merle Haggard as anything else, but the genuine feel the song captured many. And Tear-Stained Letter, its follow-up, did similar chart success and landed his album in the top 20 on the country charts, which Sonnier never even planned on. All he really wanted was to just play, and those songs meant that he could. And that's exactly how he lived his life and mapped out his career. The nominations for Grammy Awards with the one win that followed were just Jo-El being tenacious to his roots, and this broadcaster, who also hits the autism spectrum, holds much respect for that.
I agree along with the rest of his stuff, Tears Of Joy from 1991 was probably his best record of the Nashville era but country was beginning to move in the Garth Brooks direction and it got next to no promotion or radio play.
My condolences to the family, may you Rest in peace, Great Music, I probably danced to your music early 70’s at some dance hall in Scott, Rayne and Lafayette Louisiana when I was in the Army in Fort Polk Louisiana 🙏
RIP Jo-El, you were one of my all time favorite performers. You made that squeeze box talk. Such a clean cut, fun loving performer. It seemed like the most important thing in life to you was to please your audience. Hope to meet you on the other side.
First, allow me to express my condolences to Jo-El's family, friends and fans. I only learned today he had passed earlier this year. Now, it's confession time. I first heard the LP "Cajun Life" one afternoon in the Cat's Eye Pub on Baltimore's waterfront back in 1987. I hated it. In fact, at the time, I hated everything Cajun. But, it wasn't because of his music and I will explain. I and many of my co-workers on the Baltimore tugboats were going thru a labor dispute. A strike to be exact. We struck and were replaced by a lot of Cajuns and mariners from down south. There was a lot of hostility to be quite honest. In time, as I matured and my music interests became more diverse. I learned to love this record and became a big fan of Sonnier's. Unfortunately, I never got to see him perform live, but rest assured, "Cajun Life" was regularly played. Loud too. I hope I am forgiven for this, as I was an idealistic young man. Rest in Peace, Jo-El. "Come on everybody, sing along with me..."
What a wonderful musician and true to his love of Cajun culture!
Welcome Home Jo-El! ❤
Best accordian player I ever heard, and he died with his boots on. Thanks for the music Jo-El, RIP.
A good friend and excellent musician. Enjoyed working with him. Enjoyed being around him. Rest well my friend.
Jo-El will be missed!
There is no sadder song than Jo-El's Valse de chere bebe.
There is no sadder news than that he's left this world.
Jo-El was a very humble man. He loved his fans, fishing, crabbing, and the simple way of Cajun life. He was more than a "Cajun Born, and Cajun Bred. He was proud to be a Cajun, and lived the Cajun life, and set the bar high. R.I.P. brother. Well done!
Tear-Stained Letter is one of my favorite songs. What a talent!!
So sorry to hear of Jo-El. Great talent who'll really be missed. Loved "Evangeline Special".
I was just a teenager and on the air in a country station in Wyoming when No More One More Time came out of nowhere to be a top 10 hit that nobody knew was going to be a hit. It was just Jo-El doing what he does. It was as much a factor that he was touring with Merle Haggard as anything else, but the genuine feel the song captured many. And Tear-Stained Letter, its follow-up, did similar chart success and landed his album in the top 20 on the country charts, which Sonnier never even planned on. All he really wanted was to just play, and those songs meant that he could. And that's exactly how he lived his life and mapped out his career. The nominations for Grammy Awards with the one win that followed were just Jo-El being tenacious to his roots, and this broadcaster, who also hits the autism spectrum, holds much respect for that.
His RCA Records-era stuff needs to be on streaming services. RIP.
I agree along with the rest of his stuff, Tears Of Joy from 1991 was probably his best record of the Nashville era but country was beginning to move in the Garth Brooks direction and it got next to no promotion or radio play.
Bless him great entertainer sang beautifully a huge loss to music. He was a great one.
My condolences to the family, may you Rest in peace, Great Music, I probably danced to your music early 70’s at some dance hall in Scott, Rayne and Lafayette Louisiana when I was in the Army in Fort Polk Louisiana 🙏
RIP Jo-El, you were one of my all time favorite performers. You made that squeeze box talk. Such a clean cut, fun loving performer. It seemed like the most important thing in life to you was to please your audience. Hope to meet you on the other side.
I am so sad. The song Tear Stained Letter was the first song I'd heard him sing.
The best accordion player! My favorites include "Flammes de L'efer" and "Allons a Lafayette"
Thankyou for this video...
RIP Mr Sonnier...
🎉🎉🎉🎉😢❤
Born in Rayne La, in live in Rayne, Jo-el is my people. And it’s Rayne (rain).
Loved his..."No More One More Time"....lyrics, the entire song hit so many of us where it hurt....the truth. Thank you for the music sir.
Sorry for the loss of your husband may the lord bless yall through this time Rip I really liked his music 🎶 don't understand its but I like it anyway
He was from Rayne Louisiana (Pronounced Rain)
May he RIP 🕊️
RIP, cher.
Rip
First, allow me to express my condolences to Jo-El's family, friends and fans.
I only learned today he had passed earlier this year.
Now, it's confession time.
I first heard the LP "Cajun Life" one afternoon in the Cat's Eye Pub on Baltimore's waterfront back in 1987.
I hated it. In fact, at the time, I hated everything Cajun.
But, it wasn't because of his music and I will explain.
I and many of my co-workers on the Baltimore tugboats were going thru a labor dispute. A strike to be exact.
We struck and were replaced by a lot of Cajuns and mariners from down south.
There was a lot of hostility to be quite honest.
In time, as I matured and my music interests became more diverse. I learned to love this record and became a big fan of Sonnier's.
Unfortunately, I never got to see him perform live, but rest assured, "Cajun Life" was regularly played. Loud too.
I hope I am forgiven for this, as I was an idealistic young man.
Rest in Peace, Jo-El.
"Come on everybody, sing along with me..."
Rest in peace brother.
NO NO NO NO NOOO! I just found him today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Legendary! Endlessly❤
HomeFreeAmen 🙏
God Bless not a Cajun love the music people and culture true Americans
que ton ame repose en paix (rip)
Giant
Joe. L. The. Best. Form. La
I'm sad I'm one man like him I just started causing bobby lyle causing I'm doing just started
AND NO MUSIC IN THIS CLIP!! U HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!