"Man" began playing music at the age of 12.  He played the drums and sang.  He played with the first Cajun Band on television out of the city of Lafayette, La.  Mr. Abshire wrote and/or recorded such songs as "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" and "Flames of Hell."  He represented the state of Louisiana at the Folk Festival in Washington, D. C.

His music would make women cry and men stop fighting.  Amede, a black Creole accordionist considered by many to be the godgather of cajun music and zydeco.  The song "Quoi Faire" is a 1920's Ardoin original.  He recorded French tunes of broken love affairs.  He recorded French Solo songs for Decca Records in New York City.

Sometimes called "The Ambassador of Jazz" Louis was the first jass artist to tour Europe.  In 1922 he joined the Creole Jazz Band in Chicago as second Cornetist.
At the age of seven he bought his first real horn.  It has been said that Armstrong used his horn like a singer's voice and his voice like a Musical Instrument. 

Dewey was fervent activist for the preservation of Cajun music and culture, and contributed greatly to the revival of Cajun pride in the late 1960's and early 1970's.  He recorded memorable songs like "Drunkard's Sorrow Waltz" and "Parlez-nous a Boire" and appeared on the Swallow label.  Balfa's cultural pursuits garnered him the National Heritage Award.

Dave helped develop and define the sound of Rhythm & Blues in the Fifties.  He was a man of many talents:  Band Leader, Trumpet Player, Songwriter, Producer, Arranger, Talent Scout and more.  Dave was largely responsible for shaping the rhythmic orientation of that city into a sound everyone would come to know as Rock and Roll.

Ralph made a name for himself both in Louisiana and elsewhere with his routines
which poked fun at both himself and the cajun culture.  "He loved to make people laugh."  Ralph's trade-mark was the paid of Red Tennis Shoes he wore on stage.  He was known as the "Red Tanny Shoe Man."

Cedric was first introduced to the music of Hank Williams at the age of four.  He incorporates a mean Cajun Squeeze Box (Accordion) to a twist of Cajun, a touch of Zydeco and a dab of good ole Southern Rock-N-Roll with a variety of the Spice of Life.

As a young boy Shirley played a box guitar and then a steel guitar.  He had a very high pitched voice which represented Cajun singing at its best.  He was also a very distinguished songwriter.  All of the songs the "Veteran Playboys" recorded were written by Shirley.

Singer and songwriter Rod hosted his own live music radio program.  His most popular recordings are "This Should Go On Forever" 1958;  "One More Chance"-1962.  "The Frost" became a national hit and led to Bernard's appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in 1959.  Labels on which he recorded include Jin and LaLouisianne.

Bubba started playing music at the age of 10.  The first band he played with was the DOWNBEATS.  The keyboard has been his life and Bubba has shared some good music with many people.  At the age of 13 his parents drove him to his gigs and they would wait outside all night for him

He made his way to New York and was soon dancing on Broadway in the original production of Cole Porter's hit musical "Kiss Me Kate" and several of Judy Garland's Specials.  Breaux eventually moved into Choreographing.  His first movie venture was "Mary Poppins", and perhaps his best.

Van played Dixieland music around Ascension Parish until 1954 when after hearing Elvis' early songs, he switched to rhythm and blues music.  In doing so, Van contributed to the formation of "Swamp Pop" music (or Bayou Boogie as he called it).  He has recorded for the Rex, Red Stick, Bayou Boogie and CSP labels.

Rex started playing the harmonica at the age of eleven and went on to learn to play guitar, accordion and drums.  His career started on the road playing the accordion and singing as a one-man band for a Drive-In Theater.  His variety of music has made him one of the most sought after drum player in Louisiana.

"One of the most original performers in American Music today" (Gambit)
Boozo is a man of many titles.  He is the modern master of zydeco as well as the undisputed King of at least the Single-Note and Triple-Note accordion.  Boozo is undeniably a living legend in American music.

Crowned the "King of Zydeco", Clifton diversified the old-school accordion and rub-board music by adding horns and a rhythmic core of bass and drums.  In his entire career he was known as the best performer and chief innovator of the Gulf Coast's most danceable and infectious music.  "Les Zydeco Sont Pas Salé" and "ÉCOUTE" were written by Chenier himself.

"La Reine Cadjine" (The Cajun Queen) taught herself to play the accordion at the age of six by sneaking her father's accordion while he was working in the fields farming.  Winner of the 1989 "Maison de Bal" contest (24 bands competed), also in 1989 she won the CFMA's Cajun Music Award for best "45" recording of "Mon Coeur et mon Amour."

In 1972 Pierre Daigle wrote and had published "Tears, Love and Laughter," the story of Cajuns and their music.  In 1989 Pierre was awarded "Song of the Year" award by CFMA for his song "La Lumière dans ton Châssis" (The Light in Your Window).  In 1996l he was awarded "The Heritage Award" by CFMA.

No doubt the oldest existing Cajun Music Group, the Hackberry Ramblers, were founded in 1930 by fiddler Luderin.  He pioneered the first Cajun string band music, combining traditional Cajun music with the new "Western Swing" sound from Texas.  He first recorded in 1935 and his more notable works included "Quitter la Maison" and the "Cajun Crawl."

Ernie grew to enjoy singing through his stints with various gospel groups.  He recorded as a solo with labels such as Herald and Specialty and came up with a regional hit "Hello My Lover" in 1959.  His other song, "Mother-In-Law" became a huge hit in the spring of 1961.

Born a musician, his mother said he was trying to sing before he could talk.  Camey recorded his first record while working at radio station KAJN.  He has recorded several 45's, five albums, and one CD.  Probably Camey's best known song, which touched many hearts, is "Mom I'm Still Your Little Boy."

Frankie sang his way to Rock-N-Roll immortality in 1959 with the mega hit "Sea Cruise."  That song has become one of the greatest Rock-N-Roll classics of all time.  The tag line "OOH-WEE, OOH-WEE, BABY" is one of the most recognizable in all of popular music.

Bob took his first trombone lesson in 1942 at Cathedral High School, Lafayette, La.  When Bob was 15 years old he played at the Cedar Lane Club in Opelousas, La.  He won several Louisiana Music Educators Association's Awards for solo trombone performances while in high school.  He is now playing "The Music of Yesteryears."

The blues blowing Harmonica Master had major hits with "I'm A King Bee" (1957), "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961) and "Baby Scratch My Back" (1966) all on EXCELLO LABEL.  In March of 1968 Slim hit the Billboard Chart with "Te-Ni-Nee-Ni-No."

Singer, Songwriter, Trombone and Piano Player, he could sing like a girl, and could sing like a frog.  That latter trade mark "Croak" utilized to the max on his 1956 debut smash hit "Ain't Got No Home" earned him the nickname FROG MAN HENRY.

Ken comes to the world with simpler tools - a voice, a guitar, and a host of great country songs.  In 1994 he was named the "Male Vocalist of the Year" with the song "Runs in the Blood" from the Christian Country Music Association.  "Entertainer of the Year" (CCMA) and "Christian Country Album of the Year" by the International Country Gospel Music Association.

In 1959 T. K. founded the Lonely Knights Band, and the next year recorded "I,m Not a Fool Anymore."  He followed that with other popular Swamp Pop recordings, including "As You Pass Me By" (Graduation Night).  T. K. has recorded for the Boo Ray and JIN Labels, as well as his own "TK" Label.

Bo James Ryan was born in New Orleans, La.  His first job in the French Quarters was at Papa Joe's.  He played around New Orleans till 1974.  In 1976 he was voted Lafayette's Top Singer with the record "STATUE OF A FOOL" on Jin Label.  He played at Toby's in 1978.  He then went to Texas and played Country Music for two years.

Doug is considered by most to be the "King" of the fiddle players.  In 1969, "Louisiana Man" was the first song broadcast back to earth from the moon by the Apollo 12 mission. Having mastered over 20 instruments, many of Doug's peers consider him the best musician to ever come out of Southwest Louisiana.

The only beat Eddie needed came from the heart.  LeJeune revealed that he had no use for a drummer.  He also believed that the right hand set the rhythm on the accordion.  His first "Rounder" disc "Cajun Soul" was recorded in 1988 with his accordion, a guitar and a fiddle.

In 1983 Time Magazine quoted Jerry saying "I'm a Rompin, Stompin, Piano Player".  He began to play piano at age of eight on a "Start Up Right."  With a real taste of Rock and Roll, the song "Whole Lotta Shakin" started moving up the charts and didn't stop until it held the number one spot in all fields of music.

Dennis was of Irish descent and Seminole Indian forbears. At the age of 14 Dennis learned to love the fiddle.  Within six months he was playing dances.  In 1929, Dennis recorded many songs in New Orleans.  He traveled to Canada, New York, and Paris to play for several events.

As a child, he developed a interest in music from hearing his mother play a guitar.  B.B's first guitar consisted of a piece of wood and one string, a wire from the screen door.  His friends and fellow musicians started calling him "The Blues Boy."  His associates also called him "The Major."  Using the two nicknames he came up with "B.B. Major."

He is the only Cajun artist to ever receive a gold record with a French Cajun song called "Lache Pas La Potate" in Canada in 1976.  Also Jimmy joined the world famous Grand Ole Opry as a member in 1956.  He continues to tour Europe at least once a year.

Joe's first recording debut on the Gennett Label was in 1923.  Oliver is remembered not only for his Classic Creole Jazz Band recordings but also for his brilliant cornet playing.  His many compositions, including "Dippermouth Blues," Canal Street Blues," "Riverside Blues," "Sweet Like This," and "Camp Meeting Blues."

Johnny started playing music at the age of five and a half.  He played teenage dances that was advertised by the local DJ's.  Johnny was known as the "Tenor Sax King" of New Orleans.  In was inducted into the "Louisiana Music Hall of Fame" in 1999.

His kind of music is rich in Lyrical imagery and strong in artistic roots.  Eddie has been writing and playing a mixture of Rock, Country, Cajun and Blues since he was a Louisiana teenager.  His first single release for the Georgia based Cosmos Label, "Once a Fool" was one of his own compositions.

As a New Orleans R&B Legend, he has been a permanent fixture on the Crescent City music scene for over half a century.  He cut his first single on the Imperial Record Label.  In 1995 Tommy released one of the year's best album "Since the Blues Began" on the Black Top Label.

Raised with an accordion since the age of three, it is no wonder there is an innate fire burning throughout every performance.  Jo-El is a much sought after session player because he also plays bass guitar, acoustic guitar, drums and harmonica.  The future is hot for the "King of Cajuns."

At the age of nine Johnny received his first set of makeshift drums.  With the desire to be an Accordion player, he formed his first band called "The Cajun Fugitive."  In 1984 he changed his style of music to Zydecajun Music with his first recording of "The Devil Went Down to New Iberia."

Joe is one of the first artists to build a bridge between Rock-N-Roll, Rhythm and Blues, and country music.  In 1976 Joe had eight singles chart in the Billboard Magazine and was awarded "Billboard's" single of the year.  Joe can liven up any crowd with his high energy.  One of his hits was "Roll On Big Mama."

Travis has been singing since the tender age of seven.  He has performed on a 1977 project with the California based super group "Chicago."  Travis has been writing music since 12 years old, when he wrote the song "TAKE MY HAND."  He has performed on several albums with his father and father's group, Gary Thibodaux and the "Deuce of Hearts."

Lawrence is synonymous with great accordion playing, first rate songwriting, and a smooth danceable sound that set the standard for modern Cajun bands.  He played Cajun and Hillbilly music that displayed a definite blues influence.  Lawrence recorded in Dallas in 1929 and again in New Orleans in 1935.  In 1936 he appeared at the National Folk Festival in Dallas.

Hank Jr. (Randall) was born in Shreveport, La.  At the age of 11 he made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.  His first recording was of his father's song "Long Gone Lonesome Blues."  He was named the Entertainer of the Year five times, has received four Emmys, Thirteen  Number One Hits, Twenty Gold and six Platinum albums.

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