finetune artist: Sonny Landreth

b. 1 February 1951, Canton, Mississippi, USA. Being born in the birthplace or thereabouts of Elmore James, did not mean that Sonny Landreth had to play slide guitar, but it certainly makes good copy. In fact, after five years in Jackson, Mississippi, the family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, and Landreth grew up surrounded by Cajun music and its lifestyle. At the age of 10, he began studying trumpet in school, and three years later took up the guitar. At 20, he left college and, with his band Brer Rabbit, moved to Colorado. There he met Robben Ford, and worked in Michael Murphy's band. He also developed his unique slide technique, chording behind the steel at the 12th fret. Returning to Louisiana, he became involved with several Cajun bands, including Zachary Richard, Beausoleil, Red Beans And Rice, and in 1979 became the first white musician in Clifton Chenier's band.

Listen to Sonny Landreth at Finetune.

(2006) Levee Town
(2006) The Road We'Re On
(2006) Grant Street
(2003) The Road We're On

Gemini Blues
Hell At Home
Fallin' For You
A World Away
Juke Box Mama