Lennis was born in 1917 and passed away in 1993. The Vinton native learned guitar in his youth, inspired by his father, Jack, who played fiddle. He joined the Hackberry Ramblers in 1933 playing guitar and singing.
Along with Luderin Darbone, Joe Werner, and Lonnie and Floyd Rainwater, they performed throughout Texas and Louisiana, eventually centering their operation in Crowley.
While broadcasting their morning show from Montgomery Ward in Lafayette, they were contracted to record on the Bluebird/Montgomery Ward label in New Orleans. Recording as the Riverside Ramblers on non-Cajun numbers and the Hackberry Ramblers on Cajun songs, Sonnier recorded 58 sides for the label between August 10, 1935 and September 10, 1937.
Two notable tunes from these sessions included his vocal of "Jolie Blonde" and the Joe Werner hit "Wondering."
He also recorded for Arhoolie and Goldband Records in the 1950's and 60's. In 1965, the Ramblers were one of the first Louisiana bands to perform on the upstart folk festival circuit. Appearing on the eighth Berkley Folk Music Festival, the band included Lennis's son, Maxie, on drums, as well as original member Edwin Duhon. Lennis' 40 year music career ended with a major stroke in 1972.
