Down Home Cajun Music- Belton Richard on Chamo Volume One

In 1962, Belton and the Musical Aces recorded for Redlich's Chamo label out of Crowley. These first recordings the group did for the label were recorded at the local radio station, KSIG in Crowley. For the Chamo label, Belton and the Aces released eight 45 rpm records and one lp. Here is the first installment of the group's output on Chamo.

Pardon Waltz (Chamo 101)
Snoozin' (Chamo 102)
La Acadian Two Step (Chamo 103)
Wedding Bells (Chamo 105)
Waltz of No Return (Chamo 106)
Musical Aces Waltz (Chamo 107)
Oh, Yea Yi-Yi (Chamo 101)
Drunkards Waltz (Chamo 1000)
Heart Broken Waltz (Chamo 1000)
I'll Have To Forget You (Chamo 103)
I Don't Want You Anymore (Chamo 106)

*All selections from the original 45rpm records (except Chamo 1000 which was only released on lp.)

Down Home Cajun Music- J.B. Fuselier

J.B. Fuselier was a popular Cajun fiddler during the 1930's and 1940's. He first started recording with Beethoven Miller's group, Miller's Merrymakers and soon was leading the band under his name. Even during this time, J.B. would bring his accordion to dances and play it. He is credited by many musicians to bringing the accordion back in style.  After WWII, Fuselier joined with Iry LeJeune and the two ruled the dance hall circuit until 1955 when LeJeune was killed and Fuselier severely injured when hit by a car. Despite his injuries, Fuselier never stopped playing and recorded a number of sides for Goldband in the 1960s.

1.Millers Merrymakers- Te Ma Lessa Jolie Bond (Bluebird) 1936
2.Milles Merrymakers- Pine Island (Bluebird) 1936
3.Millers Merrymakers- Elton Two Step (Bluebird) 1937
4.Millers Merrymakers- Lake Arthur Stomp (Bluebird) 1937
5.J.B. Fuselier and his Merry Makers- Ma Chere Basett (Bluebird) 1938
6.J.B. Fuselier and his Merry Makers- La Robe Barre (Bluebird) 1938
7.J.B. Fuselier and his Merrymakers- Faut Pas Qu Tu M'Oublies (Goldband) 1962
8.J.B. Fuselier and his Merrymakers- T' Es Trop Jeune Pour Toi T' Marier (Goldband) 1962
9.J.B. Fuselier and his Merrymakers- Viens A Ma Maison (Goldband) 1962
10.J.B. Fuselier and his Merrymakers- Talkin In the Street (Goldband) 1962

Down Home Cajun Music- Early Clifton Chenier

In honor of June 25th being Clifton's birthday and Louisiana honoring him with Clifton Chenier day, this episode is a mix of Clifton's early recordings. 
Clifton began his recording career in the 1954, recording for Post ,Elko, Specialty Records and Chess Records. This episode focuses on his early years with those labels and ends with his recordings on the Crowley label Zynn Records in the early 1960's.

Rockin' The Bop (Post 2010) 
Country Bred (Post 2010) 
Tell Me (Post 2016) 
Rockin' Hop (Post 2016) 
Clifton Blues (Elko 920)
Boppin the Rock (Specialty 552)
Ay-Tete Fee (Specialty 552)
The Things I Did For You (Specialty 556)
Squeeze Box Boogie (Specialty 568)
The Big Wheel (Argo 5262)
Bayou Drive (Checker 939)
My Soul (Checker 939)
It Happened So Fast (Zynn 503)
Goodbye Baby (Zynn 503)
Rockin Accordion (Zynn 1011)
Night and Day My Love (Zynn 1011)
Everybody Calls Me Crazy (Flyite 539)
If I Ever Get Lucky (Flyrite 539)
Hey Ma Ma (Flyrite 539)
Things Have Changed Now (Flyrite 539)

*All selections from the original 78 and 45 rpm records.

*Thanks to Jared M for use of  his  Post 2010 & 2016, Argo 5262.

Down Home Cajun Music- Rayne Bo Ramblers 1935-1941

Leroy "Happy Fats" Leblanc started off his recording career in 1935 with the Bluebird label with his group, The Rayne Bo Ramblers. The group continued recording all through the pre war era for the label recording many great classic songs, embracing the musical styles of the era.  Happy had a good ear and surrounded himself with many great musicians through the years, including Nathan Abshire, Doc Guidry, Harry Choates  and Papa Cairo to name a few. Out of all the Cajun string bands to emerge from the 1935 sessions, the Rayne Bo Ramblers never seem to get the attention they deserve. This episode focuses on the groups early recordings from 1935-1941.

Rayne Breakdown (1935) B-2176
One Step De Lacassine (1935) B-2178
Valse De Marais Bulleur (1937) B-2026
Noveau Grand Guedan (1937)  B-2024
Les Blues De Bosco (1937)  B-2022
Les Escrivis Dan Platin 1938) B-2034
Se Mallereux (1938) B-2046
Aux Ball Se Te Maurice (1938) B-2074
La Veuve De La Coulee (1940) B-2081
La Tete Fille Lafayette (1940) B-2083
Lake Charles Shuffle (1941)  B-8623
Alons Rendezvous (1941) unissued
Te Kaplan (1941) unissued

Down Home Cajun Music- Along The Bayou

This weeks episode features a mix of 78 rpm recordings from the late 30's to the late 50's.

JB Fuselier and his Merrymakers- Ma Chere Jolite (Bluebird 2036)
Harry Choates- Mari Jole Blon (Gold Star 1350)
Iry LeJeune- Jolie Catin (Goldband G-F102)
Nathan Abshire- The New Jole Blon (Khoury's 636)
Floyd LeBlanc- Hackberry Two Step (Opera 107)
Vin Bruce- Fille De La Ville (Columbia 20923)
Cliff Le Maire- Along the Bayou (Khoury's 642)
Little Francis- Amour Amour (Folk Star 109)
Jimmy Choates- Belle Isle Waltz (Khoury's 608)
Gene Rodrigue- Jole Fille (Meladee 101)

*All selections from the original 78 rpm records.
Available on Apple Podcasts

Down Home Cajun Music- Pee Wee Broussard 1958-1986

Accordionist Pee Wee Broussard recorded early on with J.D. Miller out of Crowley. Much of that has been collected on the Acadian All Star box set. This mix starts on his band's recordings after that. While Pee Wee played as a side man on other group's recordings; this set focuses on his own recordings from 1958-1986.


French Accordion Mambo (Staggs 101) 1958
Cankton Waltz (Staggs 101) 1958
Perradin Two Step (Khoury's 709) 1959
Jolie Te Blun (Khoury's 709) 1959
New Iberia Stomp (Khoury's 720) 1959
La Valse de Bon Amies (Khoury's 720) 1959
Accordion Twist (La Lou 8028) 1962
Sorrow Waltz (La Lou 8028) 1962
La Lou Special La Lou 8036) 1963
Lafayette Waltz (La Lou 8036) 1963
Yo Yo Two Step (Bee 1511) 1986
Memories of My Love One (Bee 151) 1986

Also available on Apple Podcasts

*All selections from the original 45 rpm records.

DHCM- Andrew Cormier and the Rambling Aces: Early Recordings

Andrew Cormier and his Rambling Aces were a driving force in Cajun music; and the kings of the dancehall. Andrew was originally from Church Point, but moved to East Texas, and with his band, the Rambling Aces; had the crowds following him. A accordion player with a great style, who, in Marc Savoy's words; had a "joie de vivre" Here are some of their early recordings from 1958 thru 1962.

Dans les misere (Jin 104) 1958
Seventy Three Special (Jin 104) 1958
Two Step de vieux temps (Jin 106) 1958
La fille de la veuve (Jin 106) 1958
99 Year Waltz (Swallow 111) 1959
Lacassine Two Step (Swallow 111) 1959
Wedding March (Crazy Cajun 504) 1962
I Made A Big Mistake (Crazy Cajun 504) 1962
I'm Not To Blame (Crazy Cajun 505) 1962
Don't Get Married (Crazy Cajun 505) 1962

Also available on Apple Podcasts

*All selections from the original 45 rpm records

Down Home Cajun Music- The Sugar Bees

Cleveland Crochet first recorded as The Hillbilly Ramblers in 1954, recording for Eddie Shuler's Folk Star label. This group was different than the later line up with the exception that Charlie Babineaux was on guitar. It wasn't until 1957 when Cleveland got the lineup right when he recorded for George Khoury's Lyric and Khoury's label. Joining him this time was Vorris "Shorty" LeBlanc on accordion, Jay Stutes on steel guitar, Charlie on guitar and Clifton Newman on drums. In 1960 they recorded "Sugar Bee" for the Goldband label and soon changed their name to "The Sugar Bees". The group recorded for Goldband until 1963 and sometimes used other musicians such as Rufus Thibodeaux, Abe Manuel and Benny Martin among others. The group split up in 1965 when Shorty LeBlanc passed away.

Deedle-E-Deedle-D-Da (Folk-Star 1191) 1954 * As the Hillbilly Ramblers
Big Boy Waltz  (Folk-Star 1191) 1954 * As the Hillbilly Ramblers
Sha Meon Waltz (Lyric 1001) 1957 * As the Hillbilly Ramblers
Midnight Blues (Lyric 1001) 1957 * As the Hillbilly Ramblers
Sugar Bee (Goldband 1106)
Sweet Thing (Goldband 1114) 1961
Hound Dog Baby  (Goldband 1114) 1961
Coming Home (Goldband 1134) 1962
Boss Cajun (Goldband 1139) 1962
My Little Cabbage (Goldband 1147) 1962
Don't Get Married (Goldband 1147) 1962
Kaw-liga (Goldband 1128) 1962
Waltz of Mulberry Limb (Goldband 7749) 1963
unknown tune.

Thanks to Jared M for use of his Folk-Star 1191.

*All selections from the original 78 and 45 rpm records

Also available on Apple Podcasts.

Down Home Cajun Music- Nathan Abshire: KAJUN Records Part 2

On this episode we round out the second part of Nathan's recordings for JD Miller's KAJUN label. Along with the issued sides, we include a couple of unissued recordings from the sessions. The recordings showcase Nathan's new band he had assembled consisting of Dewey Balfa, Junior Benoit, Thomas Langley, Will Kegley, Cleveland Deshotels, Darius LeBlanc and Robert Betrand.

1. Chere Petite Blonde (KAJUN 508) 1963
2.Hey Mom (KAJUN 508) 1963
3.Jolie Catin (KAJUN 509) 1963
4.Pinegrove Stomp (KAJUN 509) 1963
5.Le Veuve de Basile (KAJUN 510) 1964
6.Wonderin' (KAJUN 510) 1964
7.La Valse De Theo (unissued recording)
8. French Two Step (unissued recording)
9. Frog Leg Two Step (unissued recording)
10. Lyons Point Waltz (unissued recording)
11. Nathan's Two Step  (unissued recording)

Down Home Cajun Music- Nathan Abshire: KAJUN Records Part One

By 1958, the recording career of Nathan Abshire and the Pine Grove Boys with Khoury's was coming to a end. Knowing Nathan Abshire could still sell records, J.D. Miller quickly signed him to a contract and had the band in his studio in Crowley to record. He recorded on Miller's KAJUN label from 1960-1964 with his new band that consisted of Dewey Balfa, Junior Benoit, Thomas Langley, Will Kegley, Cleveland Deshotels, Darius LeBlanc and Robert Betrand. With this band and Miller's studio production,  we have some of Nathan's best recordings.

1.Popcorn Blues- (KAJUN 500) 1960
2.Broken Hearted Waltz (KAJUN 500) 1960
3.La Valse De Jolie Fille (KAJUN 501) 1960
4.La Banana au Nonc Adam (KAJUN 501) 1960
5.Gabriel Waltz (KAJUN 502) 1961
6.Mardi Gras Song (KAJUN 502) 1961
7.Pinegrove Blues (KAJUN 503) 1961
8.Crying Heart Waltz (KAJUN 505) 1962
9.Dreamer's Waltz (KAJUN 505) 1962
10.Trouble Waltz (KAJUN 506) 1962
11.Good Time Two Step (KAJUN 506) 1962
12.The La La Blues (KAJUN 507) 1963
13.Dans Grand Bois (KAJUN 507) 1963

*All selections from the original 45 rpm records

Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify