‘Healin’ Song’ recorded to help Acadiana

A press conference was held Wednesday, Oct. 10, at the Acadiana Community Foundation at River Ranch in Lafayette by Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne who announced the release of a song and video by Rayne native Jo-El Sonnier, “The Healin’ Song.”
Sonnier wrote and recorded the moving song following the 9/11 tragedies that shock the nation in 2001. But, has never performed it on stage -- until now.
Why now? He felt the people of Acadiana needed it in light of the recent shooting tragedies that have touched local communities. And a number of his music comrades agreed.
Sonnier was joined by a number of all-star Cajun and Zydeco musicans and vocalists of Acadiana at the Dockside Studio in Maurice recently, including Wayne Toups, Steve Riley, Chubby Carrier, Charlene Howard, Buckwheat Zydeco, Yvette Landry, Roddie Romero, Eric Adcock, Michael Doucet, Sonny Landreth, among other participants who wanted to offer their talents.
Sonnier, in addition to all in attendance on recording day, donated their time and talents towards the project. Not at all a big surprise when you consider the Cajun culture and the great people of Acadiana.
The “healing” came about when Sonnier and his wife were trying to make sense of the recent events and spoke of how Acadiana could heal. At that point, he realized he had written the perfect song following 9/11 but never allowed people to her his “healing” words.
With the help of radio the CFA, the song will be a success and funds will be raised to help people in need from senseless tragedies.
Proceeds raised from this project will be donated to the Healin’ Song Fund, a dedicated fund of the Community Foundation of Acadiana to help our neighbors in time of need.
For more information visit www.Jo-ElSonnier.com or call 337-769-4840. Donations can be made directly to www.cfacadiana.org/healingsongfund.