Sonny Landreth (born February 1, 1951) is a American blues musician from southwest Louisiana who is especially known as a slide guitar player. He was born in Canton, Mississippi, but soon after, his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, before settling in Lafayette, Louisiana. When he is not touring and performing, he resides in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
Although Landreth is a competent guitarist in the conventional form, he is most well-known for his slide playing. Landreth has developed a technique where he also frets notes and plays chords and chord fragments behind the slide while he plays. Landreth plays with the slide on his little finger, so that his other fingers have more room to fret behind the slide. He's also known for his right-hand technique, which involves tapping, slapping, and picking strings, using all of the fingers on his right hand.
Landreth has worked steadily for decades and amassed a following among his fans and peers. Eric Clapton has said he is "probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced, and it puts me to shame."
Landreth has also recorded with Jimmy Buffett, and accompanied him on his 2006 and 2007 summer tours.
Sonny Landreth has performed on many other artists' albums, including albums from Little Feat, Jimmy Buffett, John Hiatt, Waterline, John Mayall, Bobby Charles and The Goners. He has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Steve Conn, Michael Organ (drummer), Eric Clapton, Gov't Mule, Mike Gordon, Bernie Worrell, and Buddy Guy, among others. Landreth performed at Clapton's 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival, as well as returning as the opening act at the 2007 Festival in Chicago, Illinois.
Sonny's Krewe is a group of people from all around the world who appear at Sonny's shows and sell his merchandise for him for no cost. All profits from the sales (excluding CDs) go to the Dr. Tommy Comeaux fund.
Uberesso
World away
Mark Knopfler & Sonny Landreth - Gravy Train
"Riding With the King" John Hiatt & Sonny Landreth
Storm Of Worry
Pedal to the Metal
Native Stepson
