Jo-El Sonnier, a renowned Cajun and country music artist, passed away at the age of 77 on Saturday after suffering a major heart attack following a vibrant encore performance in Texas.

The tragedy unfolded after Sonnier had just concluded a concert at the Llano Country Opry in Llano, Texas. According to reports, Sonnier had mentioned that he needed a short rest before signing autographs. Sadly, he experienced cardiac arrest and was immediately air-lifted to Austin, where he was later pronounced deceased, as stated by Texas Country Music promoter Tracy Pitcox.

Sonnier had mesmerized his audience with an energetic performance that lasted for over an hour, culminating in his signature song, "Tear Stained Letter." The crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation, prompting Sonnier to deliver a powerful rendition of "Jambalaya" as an encore, leaving the audience captivated until the very end, as shared by Pitcox in a heartfelt Facebook post.

Born in Rayne, Louisiana in 1946, Jo-El Sonnier showed a great passion for music from a young age. By the time he was three years old, he had already mastered the accordion. At the tender age of six, he performed on the radio, and at 11, he made his first recording.

While Sonnier initially signed with Mercury Nashville Records in the 1970s, his breakthrough in the country music scene took some time. He later took a hiatus from country music to explore his Cajun roots and signed with Rounder Records, resulting in his first Grammy-nominated album.

Returning to country music, Sonnier signed with RCA Records in the 1980s, enjoying considerable success during that decade. His hits like "No More One More Time" and "Tear Stained Letter" climbed the ranks, securing spots in the Top 10 country music charts.

Throughout his illustrious career, Jo-El Sonnier received five Grammy nominations, finally earning the prestigious award in 2015 for his album, "The Legacy." In addition, he was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009, further affirming his musical legacy.

Not only was Sonnier a talented musician, but he also made a brief appearance in the first season of HBO's crime series "True Detective," portraying a member of a dance band in the third episode.

The music industry mourns the loss of this legendary artist whose contributions to the world of Cajun and country music will forever be remembered. Jo-El Sonnier's passing leaves a void in the hearts of his fans, but his music and legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.