An Artist for the A to Z Page
Belton Richard (1939-2017) *photo courtesy of David Simpson A brief history… Belton Richard was born on October 5, 1939, in Rayne, LA. He was one of the most popular Cajun musicians of the 1960s & 70s. The polished rock-and country influenced sound he developed was representative of the trend in South Louisiana during that time to modernize …
A brief history… Michael Doucet, fiddler, composer, and bandleader, is perhaps the single most important figure in the revitalization of Cajun music in the United States. Cajun is the shorthand name for the French settlers of southwest Louisiana who were expelled from the Acadian region of Canada in the 18th century. During the first half …
Barry Jean Ancelet & Sam Broussard *photos courtesy of David Simpson A brief history… Barry Jean Ancelet is a native Louisiana French-speaking Cajun, born in Church Point and raised in Lafayette. He graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a BA in French in 1974. He received …
Balfa Toujours *photo courtesy of David Simpson A brief history… “Balfa Toujours” means “Balfa Still & Always” and you can be sure that brilliant musician Christine Balfa will always make sure that it is so. Christine is the daughter of the late, great Cajun fiddler Dewey Balfa, who certainly needs no introduction. She and her …
The Balfa Brothers A brief history… The Balfa Brothers (or Les Frères Balfa) were an American Cajun music ensemble from Bayou Grand Louis near Mamou, Louisiana. Its members were five brothers; Dewey on fiddle, Will on fiddle, Rodney on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, Burkeman on triangle and spoons, and Harry on Cajun accordion. The brothers …
Austin Pitre (1918-1981) A brief history… Austin Pitre was born in February of 1918 in the prairie Cajun town of Ville Platte, Louisiana, to Joseph Lezime and Mary Aliza Pitre. His parents were share croppers & the family relocated frequently within the nearby communities to find work. Austin’s family would always sing as they worked …
Adam Hebert (1923-2010) *photo courtesy of David Simpson A brief history… Adam Hebert was born near Church Point, Louisiana on August 23, 1923 and grew up amidst traditional Cajun and country music. At the age of four he was dancing for tips and by the fourth grade was singing Jimmie Rodgers songs for his fellow …
