Jo-El Sonnier was born in Rayne, Lousiana to poor, French speaking sharecroppers. He began to play the accordion at three years of age. As he grew, his love for music increased as well as his ability with the accordion. Singing only in French, his Cajun heritage was evident. News of this gifted child spread, leading to his first radio debut at the age of 6 and his first recording session at the age of 11. As a favorite in local clubs, Sonnier remained a Louisiana sensation during his early life, but decided to try his luck at recording Country music and in 1974 he signed a recording contract with Mercury Records.

However, the success he sought continued to elude him and after four years in Nashville, he moved to California where he began performing solo shows with the help of many notable 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 several Top 10 hits including "Tear-Stained Letter" and "No More One More Time."

With radio success under his belt, Jo-El began to stretch out by becoming a sought after session player in Nashville. The sounds of his accordion can be heard on the albums of such greats as Alan Jackson, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Sammy Kershaw, The Indigo Girls, Mark Knopfler, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Jr. and Robert Cray. 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 artists such as Johnny Cash, George Strait, Mel McDaniels, John Anderson and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Although singing and performing are his first loves, 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 traditional French recordings, Sonnier continues to record and perform his traditional music to crowds around the world. Known for his incredible stage performances, he has played to audiences throughout North and South America and Europe. He is backed by five accomplished musicians which he calls, "The Tear Stained Letter Band."

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