Songwriter Otis René (Otis Joseph René Jr.) was born in New Orleans on October 2, 1898. Rene founded the Excelsior Records label with his brother Leon Rene in the 1940s. The brothers also shared writing credits for several classic tunes, including the trad jazz staple, "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", which became Louis Armstrong's signature theme song. René died in Los Angeles on April 5, 1970 at age 71. Read more here. See Otis Rene discography.
1941
Poet, author, blues scholar, cannabis activist, former WWOZ deejay, and one time New Orleans resident John Sinclair was born in Flint, Michigan on October 2, 1941. Sinclair died of congestive heart failure in Detroit on April 2, 2024 in Detroit at age 82. Read more here. See John Sinclair discography. Watch John Sinclair videos on YouTube.
Cajun and country accordionist, guitarist and songwriter Jo-El Sonnier was born in Rayne, Louisiana on October 2, 1946. Sonnier won the Best Regional Roots Music Album Grammy Award in 2015 for his album "The Legacy" (watch Jo-El accept the award from presenter Hunter Hayes). He was nominated for Top New Male Vocalist at the 1988 Academy of Country Music Awards. Sonnier hit the Billboard Country Singles chart 10 times between 1975 and 1990, with "No More One More Time" and "Tear-Stained Letter" cracking the Top 10. He suffered a major heart attack after a show in Llano, Texas on January 13, 2024. He was airlifted to a hospital in Austin, Texas where he passed away at age 77. See Jo-El Sonnier discography. Watch Jo-El Sonnier videos on YouTube.
1951
Gospel vocalist and guitarist Willie Williams (with the Zion Harmonizers) was born in New Orleans on October 2, 1951. Williams also recorded and toured with The Subdudes. See Willie Williams discography.
1951
Blues singer (and actor) Big Al Carson was born (Alton Carson) in New Orleans on October 2, 1953. Carson led his band The Blues Masters at Bourbon Street's Funky Pirate for over 20 years. He also played tuba with several local brass bands. Carson died on April 26, 2020 at the age of 66. Read more here. See Big Al Carson discography. Watch Big Al Carson videos on YouTube.
1958
Cajun and zydeco accordionist, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader Wayne Toups was born (Emery Wayne Toups) in Crowley, Louisiana on October 2, 1958. Toups won a Grammy in 2013 with Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy for the album "The Band Courtbouillon". Read more at waynetoupsmusic.com. See Wayne Toups discography. Watch Wayne Toups and Zydecajun videos on YouTube.
1978
New Orleans-born jazz cornetist and bandleader Albert "Abbie" Brunies passed away in Biloxi, MS on October 2, 1978 at age 78. Brunies worked with Papa Jack Laine, and went on to lead the Halfway House Orchestra. He continued to lead his own bands into the 1960s, playing at many clubs along the Gulf Coast. His brothers Merritt, George, Henry and Richard Brunies were also trad jazz musicians. See Albert Brunies discography. Listen to Albert Brunies music on YouTube.
1989
Blues pianist, vocalist and songwriter Cousin Joe (born Pleasant Joseph) passed away in New Orleans on October 2, 1989 at age 81. His bio, "Cousin Joe: Blues From New Orleans", was published in 1987. See Cousin Joe discography. Watch Cousin Joe videos on YouTube.
1997
RIAA certifications issued on October 2, 1997 included Master P's "Ghetto D" (Platinum), Mia X's "Unlady Like" (Gold), Tru's "Tru 2 Da Game" (2x Platinum). and the No Limit compilation "Down South Hustlers" (Gold)
Dr. John and the Lower Nine Eleven were musical guests on radio's "A Prairie Home Companion" on October 2, 2010. Listen to the show here.
2011
The GAC TV series "Day Jobs" premiered on October 2, 2011. The first episode ("Trace Adkins - Roughneck") featured singer and Louisiana native Trace Adkins, who once worked on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Watch clips from the episode here.
2025
Ivan Neville appeared on ABC's late night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on October 2, 2025. Ivan was sitting in with the show's house band, Cleto and the Cletones. See video clip 1 and video clip 2 from the show.
