Two Louisiana Cajun Music Legends Share A Birthday Today

Two Louisiana Cajun music legends both celebrate their birthdays today.  Wayne Toups and Jo-El Sonnier were both born on October 2nd and are two of the most iconic Cajun musicians of all time. Both artists are also Grammy Award winners.

What are the chances, huh?  Of course, they were born in different years, as Sonnier is older than Toups. Unfortunately, we lost Jo-El earlier this year when he passed away from a heart attack.

Jo-El Sonnier was born on this day in 1946, so Jo-El Sonnier would have turned 78 years old today.  Sonnier recorded Cajun music all his life, with iconic songs like the most popular remake of Harry Choates' song, Jolie Blon.

Sonnier was also in Nashville in the mid-'80s when he was on the RCA record label, where he recorded songs like “Tear-Stained Letter” and “No More One More Time”.

Wayne Toups was born in Crowley, Louisiana on this day in 1958, so Wayne turns 66 years old today. Wayne is known for his hit records like Take My Hand, Please Explain, True Love, Don't Leave Me Blue, That's What I Love About My Baby, Two Step Mamou, and many more.

You may not know this, but on top of all the classic songs Wayne has released in his career, he has also played accordion on several major country music recordings. Wayne was featured on Mark Chesnutt's "It Sure is Monday", Clay Walker's "Live Laugh Love", and Alan Jackson's song "Little Bitty".

Happy birthday to the late Jo-El Sonnier. We love and miss you, sir. Keep playing that great Cajun music in heaven. Also big happy Birthday to Mr. Wayne Toups!