Handy Award for his release "Cadillac Baby" b/w "Big Leg Woman", which the Blues Foundation deemed to be the 'Blues Single of 1990'.

His subsequent debut album, They Call Me the Cat Daddy, was acclaimed but coincided with his early death in May 1990, just prior to embarking on a UK tour.

[4] Rodgers was born in 1939 near Hughes, Arkansas, United States,[2] and he learned to play the guitar from his father, who hailed from the Deep South.

Rodgers formed his first band at the age of 17 and, in October 1959, was recorded by Alan Lomax accompanying Forest City Joe.

Sonny's album incorporated mainly blues standards including "Black Nights are Falling", "Walkin' Thru the Park", "Five Long Years", "Fever", "Stand by Me", and "Good Morning Little School Girl"; as well as several of Rodgers' original numbers.