Abe Manuel, Jr.
“The Cajun Trickster with a Nashville Edge”
Quick Intro
Abe Manuel, Jr. (a/k/a “Lil’ Abe Manuel”) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and entertainer whose music blends Cajun tradition with country swagger and comedic flair. From his time with Merle Haggard’s band to his wild solo releases, Abe’s career has been a whirlwind of accordion riffs, fiddle runs, and lyrical mischief.
In-Depth Profile
Born into a musical dynasty, Abe Manuel, Jr. is the son of Cajun fiddler Abe Manuel Sr. and rhythm guitarist Dottie Manuel. He grew up performing with the Manuel Family Cajun Band, appearing on albums like Cajun Fire (1994) and Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (1998). His early work showcased his skill on accordion, fiddle, drums, and piano, and his knack for backing vocals and harmony arrangements.
In the 1990s, Abe joined Merle Haggard’s touring band, contributing guitar, fiddle, percussion, and harmony vocals to Haggard’s 1996 album Beer Can Hill. Despite his success in Nashville, Abe returned to his Gulf Coast roots, forming the band Moe-D and later releasing solo albums that fused Cajun dancehall energy with country satire and swampy storytelling.
His breakout solo album, Swire from Grand Chenier, released on Jin Records, became a regional sensation. Tracks like “Ka Ka Song,” “Pickin’ the Piquants,” and “I Don’t Repeat Myself” showcased his warped humor and musical dexterity. Abe’s songs appeared in the 2006 film Little Chenier: A Cajun Story, further cementing his place in Louisiana’s cultural canon.
Whether fronting Moe-D, jamming with the Manuel Family, or performing solo, Abe Manuel, Jr. brings a unique blend of wit, warmth, and Cajun pride to every stage. He continues to live and write in Lil’ Chenier, Louisiana, where he prefers fishing, family, and music on his own terms.
Signature Tracks
- “Ka Ka Song” — absurd, catchy, and a local radio hit
- “H.B.P.D.” — a regional favorite from the Honky Tonk Band era
- “Rainbow Song” — a rare moment of dreamy introspection
Notable Accomplishments & Awards
- Performed and recorded with Merle Haggard in the 1990s
- Featured in the film Little Chenier: A Cajun Story (2006)
- Released acclaimed solo album Swire from Grand Chenier on Jin Records
- Founding member of Moe-D and contributor to Manuel Family Cajun Band
Bonus Notes
- Known for his comedic lyrics and cartoonish vocal delivery
- Skilled on accordion, fiddle, guitar, drums, and piano
- Prefers life in Lil’ Chenier, Louisiana, where he writes, hunts, and plays music
Album Reviews
Swire from Grand Chenier
Bluesrag Magazine — Written by Dennis Rozanski (June–July 2010)
“Better buckle up, as madcap Lil’ Abe Manuel’s Swire from Grand Chenier is a ride through a Cajun funhouse.”
The craziness begins outside, with its adorning artwork of him grappling an accordion-squeezing alligator, then baring more than his soul on the “rear” accordion shot. But the real mischief is inside, where, with impish delight, Acadian dancehall melodies get commandeered for Manuel’s own cracked muse. That’s when the musician-singer-songwriter with the cartoonishly backwater inflection springs forth the repetitive repetition of “I Don’t Repeat Myself,” “Pickin’ the Piquants,” a certifiably whacked “Ka Ka Song,” and the sing-along title track, which towered as 2008’s biggest single on southwest Louisiana radio. Although accurately likened to a bayou blend of Ray Stevens and Roger Miller, Manuel is more than a downhome jester. He’s long been the right-hand man in Merle Haggard’s band. And he can readily temper the clowning with steadfast Cajun pride and heartfelt poignancy (as with the post-Katrina lament of “Hurricane Women”). Yet it’s that capacity to twist chank-a-chank into “My Baby Chews Tobacco (But She Won’t Choose Me)” that’s pure warped genius.