I don't think I've ever posted anything by Cajun/country singer Jo-El Sonnier. His signature hit was his 1988 cover of Richard Thompson's Tear Stained Letter.
I saw on FB that he's been on tour and that he was playing Saturday afternoon at the Llano County Opry in Texas.
Now this tonight.
Grammy Award winning Cajun and Country Recording Artist Jo-El Sonnier passed away Saturday evening at the age of 77, while on tour in Texas.
“Jo-El Sonnier had just completed an incredible show at the Llano Country Opry in Llano, Texas,” Texas Country Music promoter Tracy Pitcox said. “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. Unfortunately, he suffered cardiac arrest and was air flighted to Austin where he was pronounced deceased. It is never easy to lose a legend, but he truly spent his final day doing what he loved-entertaining his fans with his loving wife Bobbye by his side.”
I'm shocked and saddened.