Jo-El Sonnier, a Grammy Award-winning artist known for his talent in singing and songwriting particularly in the Cajun and country genre, has died at the age of 77.
"Jo-El Sonnier had just completed an incredible show at the Llano Country Opry in Llano, Texas," said Tracy Pitcox, Texas country music promoter.
"He had entertained over an hour and ended with his signature 'Tear Stained Letter.' He received a standing ovation, and I asked him to do 'Jambalaya' as an encore.
"He performed a rousing rendition of that classic. Jo-El mentioned that he needed to rest for just a few minutes before signing autographs."
According to reports, the singer had suffered a cardiac arrest and was airlifted to Austin where he was pronounced dead.
Jo-El Sonnier's Last Performance
Sonnier was born in Louisiana to French-speaking parents. He formed a deep bond and love for music at a young age.
As per reports, he started playing the accordion when he was three years old, and by the age of six, he was performing on the radio.
It was not until 1980 that he finally earned his flowers and received a breakthrough after signing with Rounder Records as a Cajun artist.
Some of his hit songs are "No More One More Time" and "Tear-Stained Letter," which came from his 1987 album "Come on Joe."
Since he was a child, Sonnier loved playing and making music, and up until the very last day of his life, he did what he loved doing the most.
"It is never easy to lose a legend," Pitcox added. "but he truly spent his final day doing what he loved - entertaining his fans with his loving wife, Bobbye, by his side."
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Fans Mourn, Pay Tribute to Jo-El Sonnier
Fans flocked to social media following the news of the musician's death. Even some musicians like Joe Bonsall also paid tribute to him.
"Saddened by the loss of dear friend JO-EL SONNIER ... Cajun legend ..." Bonsall wrote.
"Rest in peace to the legendary Grammy Award winning Cajun and Country Recording Artist Jo-El Sonnier," Rounder Records wrote.
"The Cajun music industry has lost a legend, tonight. R.I.P. Jo-el Sonnier."
Another netizen wrote: "Sonnier continuously paid homage to his Francophone roots. 'I play my music in French,' he said in 2018, 'to give back to my home, the young generation and the older one. You have to have someone to protect and to preserve the music and the language.'"
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