Center for Louisiana Studies Archival Catalog
This searchable database provides information on images, documents, and audio and video recordings, made between 1934 and the present.
Interview of Crawford Vincent by Ben Sandmel
Crawford Vincent:
00:00 - Talking about the early days of the Hackberry Ramblers
02:40 - Evolution of the band - Crawford joining the band when he was with the Civilian Conservation Corps
03:20 - Working on the farm after finishing school
04:50 - Playing with Harry Choates, Leo Soileau, Happy Fats
06:45 - Jolie Blonde
08:10 - Music changing - Began playing music with Accordion players
-Iry LeJeune, Joe Bonsall, Sidney Brown, Marie Falcon, August Broussard
11:00 - Crawford's thoughts on being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Tennessee
12:30 - Jimmy C. Newman, Rufus Thibodeaux, Curzy "Porkchop" Roy
14:00 - Mentioning Johnnie Allan's "Memories" book
Interview with Kenny Bill Stinson by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1987
Kenny Bill Stinson:
00:00 - Born in Texarkana, grew up in Monroe and West Monroe, Early life
01:30 - How he got started with music - first guitar, playing by ear
02:40 - Played trumpet in elementary school
03:00 - First band was the Marvels after the Marvel Comics
04:00 - How be began to get into Rhythm and Blues and Country music
05:00 - Blues music in North Louisiana
08:45 - Starting to front his own band, learning old material
12:50 - Stories - life in the road
19:40 - Moving to Nashville
19:00 - European Tour with Brenda Lee, Roy Acuff, Emmylou Harris, Charlie Rich; More discussion about touring
30:00 - Playing with the Nevilles
33:40 - Future music plans - wanting to branch out
35:00 - World's Fair - David Doucet
37:45 - Music in North Louisiana not getting the same recognition as the rest of the state
41:00 - Lack of music venues in North LA
41:45 - Jazz Fest
Interviews of Nathan and Sid Williams by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1988
Nathan & Sid Williams:
00:00 - People in the family who play music - Dennis Paul, Allen, Sid, Florita Williams
00:30 - Dennis Paul Williams and Francis Pavy
05:45 - Sid and Sid's wife bought Nathan his first accordion, sound system
07:00 - Learning from Buckwheat Zydeco (Stanley Dural) learning from and starting to play with him
09:00 - Starting up El-Sid-O's
15:00 - Talking about his son, Nathan Williams, Jr. - Getting him started in music
15:45 - Growing up speaking French and playing Zydeco
19:00 - Talking about songs on the album
24:50 - What inspires him to write a song
30:30 - List of songs on the CD
31:20 - Singing style
35:10 - Members of the band - Adam Harris, Kevin Menard, Paul Daigle, Mark Williams
39:00 - Zydeco clubs, festivals he plays
40:30 - Touring full time
42:30 - His club in Lafayette
46:00 - Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat as influences
Interviews of Reverend Burnell Offlee by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1985
Reverend Burnell Offlee:
00:10 - Religious songs
03:30 - The work he does as a preacher
08:10 - His work as a cab driver
09:30 - Went to the council meeting to plead on behalf of the other cab drivers
14:00 - Story of how he saved a marriage working as a cab driver
22:45 - Born in Zachary, LA - Early life
23:30 - Singing gospel music - other people in the family who sing - The Gospel Four, The Silver Leaf Quartet
26:00 - People in his band being of different denominations
29:20 - Doesn't write many songs - rearranges old songs
32:15 - Forming the group
33:00 - Living and working in Seattle
35:00 - Driving cabs, Talking about his 1957 Chevy
40:00 - The message in gospel songs
42:00 - Blues versus Spiritual Music
Interview with Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural by Ben Sandmel
Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural:
0:55 - Talking about the album and why is is different from others he has done
2:20 - Using a Zydeco groove in more mainstream tunes
3:00 - Album Rehearsals
Hackberry Ramblers in New York Part 1.
Recorded February 1998 live
08:45 - Hackberry Ramblers on MTV Live for Pre-Grammy Jamboree - Theme Song
10:15 - Interview with the Hackberry Ramblers - Nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album Grammy
12:00 - Interview with Kelsey Grammer
13:40 - Interview with Hanson
15:00 - R. Kelly
23:50 - Interview with R. Kelly
26:33 - Portion of Queue de tortue
29:25 - Interview with Hanson - Hackberry Ramblers playing entrance music
50:50 - Pauvre Hobo
53:45 - Theme Song
55:30 - Queue de tortue, La dernière valse
Live Performance by the Hackberry Ramblers at Tramp's in New York City, Part 2.
Hackberry Ramblers Performing at Tramp's in New York City
Recorded in February 1998
00:00:00 - 'La dernière valse'
00:06:00 - 'Pipe Liner's Blues'
00:08:30 - 'I Have A New Heartache'
00:11:45 - 'Jolie Blonde'
00:15:30 - 'Johnny B. Goode'
00:19:25 - 'I'm So Afraid of Losing You Again'
00:22:40 - 'Take Me Back To Tulsa'
00:24:20 - 'J'ai passé devant ta porte'
00:28:15 - 'Hip et taiaut'
00:30:40 - 'J'ai étais au bal'
00:34:00 - 'Hack à Moreau'
00:37:30 - 'Rollin on a River'
00:40:10 - 'Please Release Me'
00:44:18 - 'Toe Tappin'
00:49:50 - 'Bosco Blues'
00:53:05 - 'Take These Chains From My Heart'
00:57:00 - 'Deep Water'
Hackberry Ramblers Instrument Donation Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame
Recorded at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville - December 1999
00:00 - Introduction
01:10 - Hackberry Ramblers honored - Band History Bluebird label
04:00 - Band Intro, Luderin Darbonne talking about donating his fiddle to the Hall of Fame
10:00 - How Luderin learned to play the fiddle (reading music and playing by ear)
13:00 - Forming the Hackberry Ramblers
18:00 - Edwin Duhon donates his guitar to the Hall of Fame
20:15 - Rodney Crowell speaks about the Hackberry Ramblers
Hackberry Ramblers Perform:
25:45 - 'Hackberry Ramblers Theme Song'
27:00 - 'Queue de tortue'
29:50 - 'Jolie blonde'
32:30 - 'Step It Fast'
35:20 - 'Pipeliner's Blues'
39:50 - 'My Head Stays Foggy Cause You're Mine'
Hackberry Ramblers performance and interview on IRM with Bart Shore
Hackberry Ramblers:
00:00 - 'Hackberry Ramblers' Theme Song'
03:15 - 'Ben Sandmel Introduces the band'
08:25 - 'J'ai étais au bal'
12:00 - Interview with Glenn Croker
15:40 - 'Pauvre Hobo'
24:15 - 'Old Pipeliner'
33:15 - Early record contracts - selling rights to recordings
35:40 - 'Sitting on Top of the World'
43:20 - 'Married to One, In Love with Another'
49:20 - 'Spanish Two Step'
51:25 - Interview with Ben Sandmel
52:45 - 'Hackberry Ramblers' Theme Song'
53:40 - 'Grand Texas'
Hackberry Ramblers Live Performance and Interview on WSM
Recorded in December 1993
Hackberry Ramblers:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Luderin Darbonne discussing the beginning of the band - working in radio broadcasting
02:45 - New Album on Flying Fish Records
03:25 - Recording with RCA in 1935
05:25 - 'Queue de tortue'
11:50 - 'Hip et taieau'
17:30 - 'Crowley Waltz'
21:50 - CD Version of 'Old Pipeliner' with intro and vocals by Rodney Crowell
26:10 - Ben Sandmel introduces the band
27:00 - 'Grand Texas'
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Boozoo Chavis
Some interview questions by Amanda LaFleur - Recorded in Summer 1987
Ben Sandmel with Boozoo Chavis:
00:00:00 - Where he was born and raised
00:01:00 - Talking about getting getting married and family members
00:04:20 - Discussing Trail Rides
00:09:00 - How he started playing accordion
00:10:10 - Learning to play by ear, does not read or write music
00:10:30 - Early House Dances - learning from the man who was playing accordion
00:16:45 - People he learned from Len Pitre, Ray Sam- Playing rubboard with Joe Jackson
00:17:50 - Describing "Paper in My Shoe"
00:22:00 - How he bought his first accordion and began playing in clubs - Continental Club, Club 15, Club 16
00:23:45 - Recording "Paper in my Shoe - Being connected to Eddie Shuler by Sidney Brown
00:25:30 - Payment for "Paper in my Shoe" from Eddie Shuler at Goldband Records
00:31:10 - Boozoo did not fall off his stool while recording "Paper in my Shoe"
00:36:30 - Retiring from music
00:37:50 - Coming back - Recording for Floyd Soileau
-Other types of music he enjoys - Hank Williams Sr. and Jr.
00:45:00 - Speaking Creole and French and the differences between what is spoken in different areas
00:48:50 - How he got the name "BooZoo"
00:51:15 - Raising horses
00:53:15 - The party record - Deacon Jones - Some clubs not allowing him to play the song
-Playing at clubs in Houston and Austin, TX
01:02:25 - Zydeco coming back and the young people's interest the music and language
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Boozoo Chavis
Recorded in Summer 1987
Ben Sandmel with Boozoo Chavis:
00:00 - The songs Boozoo has written
02:00 - Talking about his style of playing
04:40 - The musicians he likes and does not like
09:30 - His perspective on the young musicians coming up - Terrance Simien
11:00 - Hippies - Boozoo's thoughts on smoking marijuana
13:40 - Boozoo's description of Zydeco music
16:15 - Baisse-bas, short step
Interview by Ben Sandmel with C.J. Chenier
Phone interview with C.J. Chenier conducted in 1995
Ben Sandmel with C.J. Chenier:
00:50 - He was raised in Port Arthur by his mother
01:20 - CJ knew his Dad and his music
02:00 - Music he heard when growing up
02:40 - How he began playing music
-Clifton buying him a guitar, taking piano lessons, Saxophone in marching band
04:20 - Starting bands of his own and playing with his dad
05:30 - Joining Clifton's band
08:40 - Learning to play zydeco music and the accordion
-Clifton getting sick and continuing to play with Clifton's band after his death
11:00 - The New Album coming out, "Too Much Fun"
13:50 - Talking about each song
21:25 - The people to thank for the album
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Dalton Reed
Recorded circa 1990
Ben Sandmel with Dalton Reed:
01:20 - Comes from a religious musical background - Musical family members
03:10 - Started out singing in a children's choir and then in his high school band
03:45 - Joining high school marching band, high school stage band
05:25 - Talks about bands he played with after his career got going
07:35 - Jockey Etienne
11:15 - Musical influences
13:10 - The influence his brother (Johnny Reed) had on his music
-The new album and explaining each song on the album
18:00 - Rounder Records
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Don Cravins
Ben Sandmel with Don Cravins:
00:10 - Growing up on a farm in Mallet, LA
01:00 - Speaking French growing up
01:30 - How he got involved in Zydeco Music
02:00 - Had many businesses liked to take a challenges
02:30 - Started to do a Zydeco show on Z 106 (name of station at the time)
04:30 - Discovering Zydeco Force at a trail ride
05:45 - Zydeco TV Program - Zydeco Extravaganza
08:00 - Zydeco bands he likes
10:00 - Networking and meeting people, running for state senator
14:50 - Talking about traditional Zydeco music
15:30 - The young Zydeco musicians and the come back of Zydeco. Trail rides
17:45 - His enjoyment of doing the radio show
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Marc and Ann Savoy Part 1
Recorded circa 1984-85
Ben Sandmel with Marc and Ann Savoy:
01:00 - How he runs his accordion business and handles those who do not appreciate the culture
02:00 - Selling Peavy merchandise in his store
04:30 - His views on how music should be played and represented
07:20 - How he runs his store - good service, good quality. No need for sales pitches
13:00 - Cajun music being popular outside of Acadiana
16:00 - Choosing to keep a low profile
22:00 - Clifton Chenier
26:30 - Feelings about recording in a studio and playing dances
29:10 - Music he grew up listening to as a child
30:00 - His father bought him an accordion at age 11, because Mark showed interest in Cajun music
34:00 - Talking about modern Cajun music
35:30 - Musical influences
39:40 - New Country music
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Marc and Ann Savoy Part 2
Recorded circa 1984-1985
Ben Sandmel with Marc and Ann Savoy:
00:10 - Mark's Grandparents did not speak English - learning to speak French with them
02:05 - Comments on CODOFIL
03:20 - High school experiences, did not fit in very well
05:30 - College years
07:20 - Beginning of his music playing career - Huey Meaux - Crazy Cajun Records
10:25 - Realizing that his true talent was in his craftsmanship
11:30 - This led him to a cross road to decided weather to purse a musical career or a career as a craftsman
13:30 - The development of his skills as an accordion builder and how he learned/self taught the craft
16:30 - What professional musicians look for in an accordion
18:45 - Perfectionism vs. Cajun culture
27:00 - Mark prefers to focus his energy and talents in the local community
36:30 - Current musicians he admires
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Marc and Ann Savoy Part 3
Recorded circa 1984-1985
Ben Sandmel with Marc and Ann Savoy:
00:01:30 - The vision of Cajun music in the eyes of Non Cajuns even local people
00:03:00 - Ann's first impression of Louisiana
00:06:00 - The land they live on has been in their family for seven generations
00:07:00 - Restoring their house
00:07:55 - Ann's musical background and French background
00:09:55 - Marc and Ann playing music together and how they complement each other
00:12:50 - Ann's formal musical training
00:15:00 - Ann talking about her book - reasons for writing it
00:18:00 - What she learned about Cajun culture from writing her book
00:20:20 - Ann's interactions with Cajun women
00:24:30 - Ann's family's reaction to her moving to Louisiana
00:28:00 - Marc wants to stay home instead of going on the road
00:29:00 - Ann talks about how she was accepted here immediately
00:33:25 - Description of their music
00:36:00 - How playing with a full band effects the sound of the music
00:38:30 - Marc's experiences playing folk festivals outside of Louisiana
00:45:30 - What makes Cajun music and Louisiana attractive to others and why it should be maintained
00:49:00 - The warmth in Cajun music and culture - nothing superficial
00:52:30 - Marc talking about how he's satisfied with where he's at in his career
00:55:40 - Clifton Chenier
00:59:30 - Older Cajuns - Not necessarily well-educated, but were smart, talented and creative
01:02:50 - Experience at a festival in Shreveport
01:06:00 - Difference between a musician and a performer
01:07:45 - Walking outside, describing some buildings on their property
Interviews by Ben Sandmel - Hackberry Ramblers meeting with Eddie Shuler at Goldband Records
Contract negotiations at Goldband Records - Fall 1993
Hackberry Ramblers and Eddie Shuler:
02:00 - Defamation of character - Eddie Shuler
03:30 - Exclusivity clause with Goldband
08:00 - Lease agreement, Eddie's issues with the Flying Fish contract
14:00 - Discussing contract with Flying Fish Records
19:00 - Eddie isn't concerned with the contract with Flying Fish
28:00 - Eddie arguing about "power of attorney"
Interview by Ben Sandmel of Fernest and Dalton Arceneaux
Recorded in 1987
Fernest and Dalton Arceneaux:
00:20 - Born and raised in Carencro - raised in Mouton Switch
01:10 - Musical and Family background
04:00 - Ferdinand Arceneaux (Fernest's dad) Pete Duhon - Had a band with two accordions
06:45 - Fernest and the Thunders
09:20 - Zydeco regaining popularity
10:30 - Young musicians in Zydeco music
11:00 - Speaking French and the French language coming back
12:50 - Songs on the new record
15:30 - Popular modern music
17:25 - Other musicians they admire
18:40 - His description of Zydeco music
20:00 - Family members playing music
22:00 - Lil Buck Senegal
25:00 - Learning music by ear
26:30 - Describing Zydeco
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Floyd Soileau
Recorded in 1996
Ben Sandmel with Floyd Soileau:
00:25 - First label he recorded under was Jin records (1957), recording the Boogie Kings and Rod Bernard
01:10 - Creating Swallow Records
02:00 - Going from recording Swamp Pop to Cajun, Creole, Zydeco music
02:30 - Maison de Soul and Komaday labels
03:00 - Flat Town Music - Publishing and Main Company Name
03:30 - Reasons for recording under different labels
05:30 - The basis of Flat Town records is to promote Louisiana music
06:30 - State of Swamp Pop music
10:00 - The late 50's and early 60's when Cajun music was in a lull
12:15 - Younger Cajun musicians learning to sing in French and then learning to speak French
-David Greely, Percy Boudreaux Jr.
15:00 - The marriage of Cajun music and food
15:10 - The movie the Big Easy and the influence it had on the culture
18:00 - What draws people to South Louisiana music
19:10 - Being punished for speaking French when Floyd was growing up
19:50 - Musicians who have recorded or are recording with him
-Lawrence Walker, Aldus Roger, Austin Pitre, Adam Hebert, Balfa Brothers, Pierre Daigle, Paul Daigle, Belton Richard
22:30 - More about Belton Richard and his upcoming album
24:30 - Terry Huval, Reggie Matte, Jambalaya, Tasso, Mamou Prairie Band, Basin Brothers, Balfa Toujours
26:00 - Marketing, Licensing, Distribution - Europe becoming a major market for South LA traditional music
26:30 - Zydeco music - Geno Delafose, Chris Ardoin, Rosie Ledet
29:00 - Rockin' Sidney - Recording "Toot Toot" and going about getting the rights and payments set up
30:00 - Rockin' Sidney purchasing a radio station in Lake Charles
31:30 - Leasing "Don't Mess With My Toot Toot" to Epic Records and John Fogerty's version
37:40 - Vinyl pressing plant burning down
40:20 - Reviving the print pressing plant, graphic design
42:00 - Floyd's Record Shop, Floyd's Wholesale Distributing
42:40 - How he goes from recording at record to putting out the finished product
45:00 - His wife and children getting involved in the business
49:00 - Floyd's recording studios - The Back Door, Promised Land, Balfa Brothers, Ronnie Cole
51:40 - Eddie Shuler
Hackberry Ramblers on NPR's World Cafe
Recorded in 1993
Hackberry Ramblers:
01:00 - Ron Levy - 'Gimme a Break'
06:20 - Johnny Cash and Chris Novaselic - 'Time of the Preacher'
10:02 - The Blasters - 'Border Radio'
12:40 - Wilson Pickett - 'Funky Broadway'
15:25 - 'La pointe aux pins'
16:00 - 'Hackberry Ramblers theme song'
17:30 - Band Introduction
18:50 - Talking about mixing Cajun and Western Swing music
19:30 - Introduction of electric guitar, R&B influence
20:10 - 'Cajun Boogie'
23:00 - Talking about how they ran their amplifier off of the car
25:20 - 'T'es petite est t'es mignon'
27:30 - Discussion about their day jobs
Interview by Ben Sandmel with Jude Taylor
Recorded in 1990
Ben Sandmel with Jude Taylor
00:30 - Started out by singing in the church Choir and then going out to dances
-Lil Buck, Guitar Gable, Paul Senegal
01:15 - Followed Clifton Chinier and sitting in with him
01:50 - Then he started following Buckwheat and worked with the band for a while
02:50 - His inspiration for wanting to play the accordion
03:45 - Within 3 months of learning the accordion, he knew a few songs
04:10 - Taught himself how to play - listening to records
04:45 - Influences - B.B. King, Johnny Taylor, Bobby Bland, Stevie Ray Vaughn
05:20 - His son learning to play drums
06:00 - Members of the band
07:30 - His view of what caused Zydeco music to come back and his definition of Zydeco music
Interviews of Morris Ledet by Ben Sandmel
Recorded in 1990
Morris Ledet:
00:30 - How he began playing Zydeco music
-Lanice Ledet
00:58 - Other types of music he listen to
01:10 - Who he admires in music - Boozoo Chavis, Nathan Williams, John Delafose
01:30 - Surprised to see how much Zydeco music has come back in recent years
01:35 - Only plays diatonic accordion
01:45 - Band Members - Ray Johnson, Perry Guillory, Wilson Alexander
01:55 - Places they play
02:30 - What he'd like to tell "the world" about Zydeco music
Interviews of Robbie Mann by Ben Sandmel
Robbie Mann:
00:30 - The band members switching instruments during a set
01:50 - Band members - Jeffery Broussard, Herbert Broussard, Shelton Broussard, Raymond Thomas, Kenneth Pierre August
04:00 - He played in the high school band at Paul Breaux High School
04:30 - Grew up partially in Lafayette
04:35 - Played some Jazz music in California with a group working with Etta James
05:30 - Played and learned from Rosco Chenier
06:40 - Formation of Zydeco Force
07:00 - Describes his Zydeco music as aggressive
09:00 - Zydeco Force's music getting to Europe
Hackberry Ramblers interviewed by Studs Trekel
Studs Trekel with the Hackberry Ramblers:
01:00 - Luderin Darbone and Edwin Duhon
-Founded in 1933, been together for 60 years
-Some families have been listening to them for 3 generations
02:30 - 'Hey La-bas' recorded in 1937
05:45 - Recording for Chris Strachwitz in 1963
07:00 - Started playing at the time when radios were just coming out
08:30 - Ordered a "Public Address System" to play through so they could be heard across the dance halls
11:00 - How Edwin and Luderin met and began playing together
12:30 - 'Une piastre ici, une piastre la-bas' - recorded in 1992 - written by Luderin Darbone
16:30 - Experiences as children speaking French
18:00 - Recording French songs for RCA Victor in New Orleans
20:30 - Used the model A engine to run the amplifier and the reaction of the people
22:45 - 'Queue de tortue'
26:00 - Began playing at the Silverstar as a way to make supplemental income
28:40 - Playing music has kept them healthy
31:50 - Dancing and Cajun music;
32:20 - Backing up Slim Whitman, Lefty Frizell
34:30 - 'Pipe Liner Blues' with Rodney Crowell
39:40 - Differences between Creole and Cajun Music
44:00 - Parents bought Luderin a fiddle at the age of about 10
46:00 - Other members of the band
48:10 - Theme Song
Interview of Katie Webster by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1990
Ben Sandmel with Katie Webster:
01:20 - How playing the European circuit came about
03:00 - Traveling/playing with Otis Redding and his interest in her
-Her name was never on Otis' recordings because she was under contract with J.D. Miller
05:25 - Other records she played on - Sea of Love, Mathilda
07:00 - Eddie Shuler, Trials she encountered in trying to record and prove herself
09:20 - Moved to San Francisco to take care of her parents in the late 1970's
10:00 - Her Father hid letters from Norbit Best from her until the time of his death
13:00 - After her fathers death - Touring Europe
15:00 - Alligator Records
21:00 - Differences between recording and performing live 9
23:00 - Traveling to Europe, Japan, Australia
25:40 - Being homesick, Her second husband Earl Webster taught her a lot about playing music
27:00 - Played on a few country songs - "Love is the Answer"
-Tammy Wynette, Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo recordings
28:30 - Uses her own musicians for recordings
31:20 - What her children went through while she
Interview with Lynn August by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1990
Ben Sandmel with Lynn August:
00:00 - Grew up in Lafayette
00:40 - Had an Uncle who played accordion - Claudelle Duffy
01:30 - His main inspiration came from Ray Charles (R.C. Robinson) - playing in Four Corners
02:00 - Showed musical talent from a young age
-Drums were his first instrument. Parents were very supportive of his musical development
03:45 - His father would take him to different clubs to audition - Peppermint Lounge - Roland Dice
04:40 - Esquerita
05:15 - New Orleans Funk Beat
07:45 - Going on the road with Jay Nelson
09:00 - Starting his own band - playing with Buckwheat Zydeco (Stanley Dural)
10:30 - Status of Zydeco in the 60's - Clifton Chenier
12:30 - Worked at a Bino's Lounge in St. Martinville playing 4 nights a week solo on a Hammond B3 organ for $300 a week
13:30 - Side gigs besides Bino's Lounge
16:30 - Working the hotel circuits
17:30 - First Zydeco gig - Going on the road with Marcel Dugas
18:00 - Grew up speaking French
22:50 - Worked as choir director for churches around Lafayette
23:30 - Regional touring with lounge chains
24:35 - Worked at the Driftwood Club in Lafayette with a trio (at the Northgate Mall)
28:00 - Country artists - Ronnie Milsap, Keith Whitley, Randy Travis
29:45 - In 1988 started to get burned out so he built a studio and began writing and wanted to learn Zydeco
32:30 - How playing the drums helped him learn to play the accordion
35:00 - Blind Musicians - Blind John Davis, Henry Butler, etc
36:30 - Purchased his first accordion in 1989
37:00 - Comeback of Zydeco music
38:45 - He never let his blindness hold him back
42:30 - Singing 'Juré'
Interviews of Rusty Kershaw by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1990
Ben Sandmel with Rusty Kershaw:
00:01:20 - Born on a house boat
00:01:30 - Talks about his childhood and parents - trapping, fishing, hunting
00:02:20 - Mother and Father both played music and relatives on both sides of his family played music
00:02:50 - After death of his Father they moved to Lake Arthur; French was their first language
00:03:30 - His brother, Peewee, began playing with Amedée Breaux
00:03:45 - Later his mother started a band with her sons
00:04:45 - Later started a band was called Peewee Kershaw and the Continental Playboys;
00:05:15 - Recording a record with Doug Kershaw
00:05:35 - Playing with Lightnin' Slim
00:08:30 - Recording for Acuff/Rose in Nashville
00:09:00 - Played on Louisiana Hayride
00:09:30 - WSM - Grand Ole Opry
00:09:50 - Doug being drafted into the service
00:10:00 - Recording with Roy Orbison and other Nashville musicians
00:12:00 - Separating from Rusty and Doug and going solo
00:13:40 - Recording with Neil Young
00:15:10 - Moving back to Louisiana in the late 70s
00:15:30 - Growing up in the Rockefeller Reserve - the houseboat he grew up on
00:17:30 - New Project with Johnny Ray Allen
00:18:00 - As children they listened to the Grand Old Opry on the radio
00:20:00 - Learning to speak English
00:20:30 - Peewee playing with Amedé Breaux
00:20:50 - Seeing Iry LeJeune, Nathan Abshire, Harry Choates - Playing at the Avalon Club
00:21:00 - Iry LeJeune's influence on how they play music
00:22:10 - Hackberry Ramblers
00:23:30 - Lightnin' Slim - Recording for J.D. Miller
00:24:50 - George Jones, Seeing Hank Williams as a child
00:28:40 - Swamp Pop - Johnnie Allan, Rod Bernard, Cookie and the Cupcakes
00:29:40 - Clifton Chenier
00:32:35 - Rusty and Doug - Reunion shows and reissues of old recordings
00:33:15 - Art Neville
00:38:50 - Being raised around alligators
00:39:50 - Going through songs on his new album
00:41:30 - How he came to write some of his songs / Emotions in music
00:43:20 - Experience playing Jazz Music - Murton Thibodeaux
00:47:00 - Joking around and telling stories on stage
00:53:30 - Relation to Sammy Kershaw
01:01:15 - Writing a song with Rick Danko
Interview of Terrance Simien and Dickie Landry by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1990
Ben Sandmel with Terrance Simien and Dickie Landry:
00:30 - Cuts on the movie "Big Easy"
00:45 - How he finally settled on his most recent record deal
02:00 - How touring has helped the band
02:50 - Members of the band - Mark Semar, Russel Dorian, Troy Gaspard, John Esprit
08:30 - Songs on the record
11:40 - Comments on songs the band has done
14:45 - Influences of Reggae music
19:40 - How being in the "Big Easy" helped the band - Friendship with Dennis Quaid
20:50 - Meeting the Neville Brothers
24:00 - Zydeco music - distinctive sound
25:10 - Working on learning to speak French
30:00 - Singing harmony on the records
30:20 - Rockin' Sidney - "Don't Mess With My Toot Toot"
30:50 - Missing playing music locally at clubs like Slim's and Richard's
35:00 - Dickie Landry describing his recent work and musical style
35:15 - Wrote music for a Mass
(Recordings of Mass can be found in Dickie Landry Audio Collection at ACCF)
36:25 - Dickie's prior production work - Philip Glass
37:00 - Thoughts on finishing up with Terrence's album
39:00 - Record labels and contracts
Interview of Terrance Simien by Ben Sandmel
Recorded in 1987
Ben Sandmel with Terrance Simien:
00:30 - How he began playing music - Hanging out at Slim's and Richard's Club
01:05 - Church of Saint Anne's having a dance and hosting trial ride
02:45 - Teaching himself to play accordion and his influences
05:00 - Playing at the World's Fair and playing in Washington D.C.
09:30 - "The Big Easy" - writing a song with Dennis Quaid and recording it with Art Neville and Dickie Landry
10:30 - Booking Agent
11:20 - Description of his musical style
20:00 - Plans for future recording
22:10 - Parents spoke French but did not teach him, now he is trying to learn
25:45 - Soul music being worked into Zydeco music - different Zydeco styles
27:00 - Evolution of music
28:20 - Boozoo Chavis
29:30 - Clifton Chenier
34:00 - Difficulties playing music close to home and gaining respect in the local community
Interview of Brownie Ford by Ben Sandmel
Recorded circa 1985
Ben Sandmel with Brownie Ford:
00:10 - Was born in Oklahoma in Indian territory, raised by his uncle who bought and sold horses and cattle
03:00 - Wilson family - first female horse rider to wear men's clothes
-her husband was killed so she had to care for the stock
05:25 - Riding horseback to school at eight years old
07:15 - Indian Joe Keith
09:00 - Buffalo Bill - Wild West Show
13:00 - Story about the Burma Twins - Snakehorse Slim, Hook 'n Brimmer - Clyde and Claude Rogers
14:00 - Experiences growing up and the changes he has seen
15:00 - Was on a Wild West show and his experiences, Rodeo Experiences
25:00 - Moving to Louisiana
30:00 - Repairing chairs and saddles - Demonstrations at festivals
Interview of Brownie Ford by Ben Sandmel
Recording is mostly inaudible
Interview of Brownie Ford by Ben Sandmel
Ben Sandmel with Brownie Ford:
00:38 - Story about Bonnie and Clyde - Encounter with Bonnie and Clyde right before they were killed
05:00 - Marge Hamilton stories
10:30 - Thompson and Sutton family feud
Interview of Crawford Vincent by Ben Sandmel Part 1
Recorded in 1992
Ben Sandmel with Crawford Vincent:
00:10 - How he got started in music, born in Gueydan
00:20 - When he was 8 started playing the Harmonica, first learned Poor Hobo, Joe Werner
03:00 - Family members who played fiddle
05:20 - During his childhood 1930's it was hard to buy instruments
05:30 - Got his first fiddle through his sister when he was 9
18:15 - Has a love for the fiddle but plays other instruments mainly
09:30 - Got started on drums with Hackberry Ramblers because he needed a job on Saturday nights
16:40 - Lloyd Ellis
20:00 - Playing with Harry Choates, says he was a great guitar player but preferred fiddle
-Talking about Harry's life and growing up
22:10 - Story about Leo Soileau and Crawford saving Harry
24:30 - Leo Soileau - Mentoring Harry Choates and Crawford
26:00 - Harry Choates playing steel guitar - Charlie Christian
32:30 - Leo Soileau recording for Decca records with a drummer
28:00 - Some of the racism at the time effecting the music and musicians
41:50 - Driving with Iry Lejeune - stories about Iry
Interview of Crawford Vincent by Ben Sandmel Part 2
Recorded in 1992
Ben Sandmel with Crawford Vincent:
00:00 - Playing with Iry Lejeune's Uncle - Angelas LeJeune
01:40 - Lionel Leleux's story about Iry LeJeune - Iry playing music by himself
02:00 - Watching Amedé Ardoin play with Leo Soileau
03:00 - Late 30's - people didn't want to hear the accordion
04:00 - Trends in music - how styles change
07:00 - How they began playing at the Showboat
10:00 - People wanting more Western Swing than Cajun music
12:30 - Time when people looked down on the fiddle
12:50 - Trouble getting paid, other conflicts with clubs and musicians
19:30 - Otis and Floyd Shreve
21:00 - Reliability of musicians
Interview of Geno Delafose by Ben Sandmel
Recorded in 1990
Ben Sandmel with Geno Delafose:
00:30 - Plays accordion and drums
00:55 - What Geno likes about the album, favorite songs
01:40 - Comments on each song on the album
03:00 - Country musicians he likes and listens to
04:00 - Alvin Cormier
Interview by Ben Sandmel with John Delafose
Ben Sandmel with John Delafose:
00:20 - John talking about the make up of the new album
01:05 - Comments on each song
02:30 - Country musicians he likes
07:55 - Pride in his son's (Geno and Tony) playing music
Hackberry Ramblers on NPR's Fresh Air
Hackberry Ramblers:
00:00 - Intro and band info
00:55 - Hackberry Ramblers 1936 recording of Jolie Blonde
02:10 - Luderin talking about how the band got started
03:25 - Ben talking about joining the band
04:20 - Incorporating Western Swing/Hillbilly Music into Cajun music
04:35 - Playing in dance halls without electricity and ways they figured out how to power the amplifier
08:15 - Luderin learned to speak French as a child but was told to speak English when he went to school
09:10 - 1930's recording of Eh la bas
11:50 - Recording for Chris Strachwitz's Arhoolie Records in the 1960's
-Story about how Strachwitz was able to locate Luderin Darbone
13:15 - Black Bayou Rag recoded in the 1960s
14:15 - What it is like for Luderin to play music at his age
16:20 - Hackberry Ramblers Theme song
Interview by Ben Sandmel with John and Geno Delafose
Repeat of the interviews on SA1-050 and SA1-051