Jo-el Sonnier was born the son of French-speaking sharecroppers near Rayne, Lousiana. Sonnier began playing his older brother's accordion at age three and first performed on the radio when he was six. Influenced by the great Iry LeJune, he began playing Cajun music in local clubs, making his recording debut at age 13. When Jo-el finished school, he moved to Lake Charles and joined Robert Bertrand's Louisiana Ramblers. Sonnier recorded a number of songs for Goldband both as a member of the Ramblers and as a solo artist.

Selected Recordings by Jo-el Sonnier
CD-722 / The Cajun Valentino
	"Rolling Pin Special" / streaming mp3 * streaming realaudio
FC-11971 / Swampland Jewels
	/ "Fee Fee Poncho"
FC-12531 / Freddie Fender and His Friends at Goldband
	"Ship of Broken Hearts"