SONNIER BROTHERS BAND - DANE SONNIER

DANE SONNIER
Guitar, Vocals

Dane spent his formative years in a close-knit Cajun family in rural Southwest Louisiana with whom appreciating and creating music was as much a survival skill of the soul as a form of entertainment. He's been playing guitar and singing ever since - more than 30 years. After high school, musical destiny led him to Houston, Texas, where he became an influential part of the music scene burgeoning around artists such as Dug Pinnick and Ty Tabor of King's X.

His work from this era included vocal contributions to King's X's "Faith Love Hope" album and also to both "Galactic Cowboys" (DGC/Geffen, 1991) and "Space In Your Face" (Geffen, 1992) from DGC/Geffen recording artists Galactic Cowboys during his two-album stint as their original guitarist. With these accomplishments under his belt, Dane returned to his musical roots and formed The Sonnier Brothers Band with brother Len. Together they assembled a crew of top Houston talent and wrote, recorded, produced, self-released and toured in support of the critically acclaimed "Redefined". Their guitar-driven, harmony-laden songs and from-the-heart live shows quickly attracted a fervently loyal following in Houston and eventually most of Texas as they shared bills with regional acts such as DAG, Breedlove, Omar the Howlers, Vallejo, Bob Schneider/Ugly Americans and Storyville. Regional momentum led to national recognition as they opened for high-profile artists such as King's X, Aerosmith, John Mellencamp, Doyle Bramhall II, Robin Trower, the Marshall Tucker Band and the Allman Brothers Band.

Music industry frustrations led to the eventual disbanding of the first Sonnier Brothers Band lineup. When asked about the current state of the music business, Dane observes:
"It's become about how quickly you can get the biggest return on your meager investment. 'Flavor of the week.' Back in the '60's, record companies were actually fans of the bands they signed. They nurtured and cultivated that talent. Hell, you could write a tune, record it and have it spun on the radio in the same month. What a novel concept. Even artists these days are looking for the 'one big hit' that they can retire on...Having a 'big hit' is great, but I'd really love to have a career. I think the advent of the internet music industry makes it a bit more possible for me and mine."

While on hiatus from the Sonnier Brothers Band, Dane lent his guitar and vocal talents to Houston-area rockers Sevenfold for their "Things Left Unsaid" album.

Some things, however, simply can't be denied. Citing Doyle Bramhall II, David Ryan Harris, the Black Crowes, Gov't. Mule, the Allman Brothers Band, Chris Whitley, Ty Tabor, Albert Lee, and Dimebag Darrell as current musical influences, Dane is once again writing, recording and performing with Len and an all-new cast of Houston's finest.

"Music will continue to be the thing that sustains me. My highest form of expression, my truth. I will always play and sing for those who will listen. Be it 10 or 10,000. This is my therapy, my anti-drug (if there is such a thing). My body and soul require it."

Email Dane at dane@sonnierbrothersband.com