Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – September 26, 2025 – If you scanned the crowd during one of the music performances at a Downtown Jonesboro Barbecue and Music Festival over the years you could probably find the outline of a man with his eyes fixated on the guitar player in the band on stage. In a typical year, that man was probably talented musician James (Sonny) Hunt, Jr. Described by one local musician, Mike Dickerson, “Sonny is the guy the BEST guitar players look up to.” And Sonny enjoyed nothing better than watching other players and other bands perform.
Sonny won’t attend this year’s barbecue festival. Sonny died Thursday at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House at the age of 68 after a battle with dementia.
“I remember him coming up to me after Hugh (Duty) had passed and was just so genuine in his sorrow,” said Mandy Duty. “I know Heaven is throwing one heck of a rock party now as Sonny joins Hugh, Rick, and the others!”
One of Sonny’s closest friends was drummer/musician Eddie Ross. In the weeks that Hunt lived in a nursing facility, Ross would “check him out” and take him out to lunch for visits. “I have so many stories about the years I’ve spent as Sonny’s friend,” Ross said. “I will miss him.”
“Sonny played his last gig three weeks ago at the Collins Theater in Paragould with us,” said Scott Snellgrove, a member of the band Nightwing along with Ross, Hunt, Andy Fulkerson and Grady McGwier. “He nailed it.”
Hunt’s obituary on the Emerson Funeral Home website devotes one sentence to his primary vocation. “Sonny was one of the proud owners of the family business, Midsouth Plumbing and Electric Supply Co.” Most of the remainder of the obituary is a tribute to Sonny’s first love, his music.
“Sonny formed a small band very early in life with my brother-in-law Mike Walker and another neighborhood friend John McNair and called themselves “The Bellwood Band.” You could hear guitars strumming and drums banging almost every day,” wrote Bruce Poleet on his Facebook page. “It got even louder when they saved up enough money to purchase sound equipment and electric musical instruments!”
Hunt owned Soundplex Creations in Jonesboro also known as SoundWorks in later years. “This is where he poured his creativity and talent into such creations as the album Steelwind and a CD known as Guitars in Heat in addition to multiple individual songs,” referenced his obituary.
Hunt did many shows with another talented singer/guitarist, Tony Spinner. “Sonny was my buddy and friend,“ Spinner said. “Going to miss him but I’ll see him again. Sonny was an incredible musician but also an incredible person and spirit. I will cherish the memories.”
Hunt was the son of the late Jimmy Doyle and Cora Latourette Hunt.
In addition to his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by his daughter, Victoria “Tori” Chism; his maternal grandparents, Pierre and Juanita Latourette; and his paternal grandparents, Houston and Jeanette Hunt. He is survived by his sister, Tina (Warren) Coots of Jonesboro; his beloved grandchildren, Haven and Ty Chism; his son-in-law, Jared Chism; and cousins, Jim (Jamie) “Moose” Brown, Todd (Susan) Hunt, Sid Brown, Jacki Jones, and Sandi Solomon, nieces Jaime (Brad) Waltman and Toni (Carlos) Sharlow and numerous great nieces and nephews as well as extended cousins.
“Sonny Hunt was a musical hero and mentor to me, but beyond that he was my family and a dear friend,” said Jim “Moose” Brown, Hunt’s cousin. “We grew up together making music in his studio and it was at that time I discovered the love of being a session musician and I began to dream that dream. He was always in my corner cheering my career on and I cherish his friendship and the memories we made. I owe him a debt that can never be repaid, if it weren’t for Sonny I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
The respect other musicians had for Hunt was impressive. “So many musicians looked up to him. I have for as long as I can remember,” wrote Creed Slater. “An absolute animal on guitar. But would get on stage with anyone and genuinely enjoy it. I was so nervous the first time I got on stage with him. But after just a few minutes he made everyone on the stage feel like they were rockstars!”
Visitation for Hunt will be held Sunday, September 28 from 1:30–3:00 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home, with a service to follow at 3:00 p.m., led by speakers Mitch Holifield and Jim “Moose” Brown. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society in Jonesboro. You may mail donations to 6111 E. Highland Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 or you can use this link.
“To know Sonny Hunt was to love him,” wrote Lori Dial. “His humble spirit couldn’t hide his ENORMOUS talent, and to share a stage with him was more than a privilege.”