Jo-El Sonnier and Big Gus & Swampadelic

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer

Dancers enjoying the music

July 12, the Saturday to remember in 2014, culminated with great music on the Southern Junction. Actually, with Texas True setting the pace with its acoustic country and bluegrass music in the afternoon, it was an easy transition to the big, inside stage for the night-time music.

Jo-El Sonnier, the King of Cajun music since he hit the scene about five decades ago, brought a great band with him from his home in Louisiana, and then added Big Gus and his guitar to the mix. Bunches of boss instruments on stage — guitars, fiddle, keyboard, and of course, Jo-El’s ever-active accordion, that is, when he wasn’t picking guitar himself. He has released numerous recordings through his career, and mostly those were, of course, his Cajun tunes including his biggest hit, “Tear-Stained Letter,” which when he played it Saturday night, brought the room to its feet… some from tables, others to the dance floor. He also has recordings of classic country and Christmas music, and lots more. Catch these on his Website:  Jo-ElSonnier.com

For Jo-El Sonnier and band photos, click here

Dancers of, literally, all ages enjoy the music at Southern Junction.

But then, it wasn’t over. Big Gus’s band, Swampadelic, hit the stage, and shared it with not only Jo-El,but also his keyboard player and guitarist. Gus, himself, was native Cajun country, where he got his initial love of great music, and then added and learned  the blues and country loves when his family moved to Dallas. Swampadelic encompasses all of those, plus the jazz and other genre loves of its other members: Greg Waits on trombone, Thad Moore on drums, and Bill Sallee on (100+-year-old) stand-up bass.

For Big Gus & Swampadelic photos, click here

After a finale brought by Jo-El and his band, Big in Vegas hit the stage, some of them line-dancing on stage along with their fans line-dancing to their music. Saving the pix for a separate story on this amazing house-style band.

Just a suggestion, but the next time you go over to Southern Junction — and Thursday night would be a great idea, since Cody Johnson Band is playing that night — find its owner Charles Houk and thank him for his visionary choices and variety of music he brings to the area.

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