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Albert Chevalier, Clemon Robert, and Clifton Edmond Interview

Albert Chevalier was born March 20, 1909 in Lafayette, LA. His father played accordion often accompanied by someone beating on a piece of tin, someone scraping a broom handle on the wooden plank floor, and accompanied by fiddle and triangle. Mr. Chevalier left Louisiana in 1943 for Port Arthur, TX. When he came to Houston in 1952 people made fu n of him and his music when he auditioned at Johnson’s Lounge-which at the time featured an orchestra and a floor show. By the early 1960s however, as more and more people from the Louisiana countryside moved to town, Zydeco music became so popular that Johnson’s (which today is the Continental Ballroom), became a full-time showcase for Zydeco. Lonnie Mitchell was hired as the regular performer because, according to Mr. Chevalier, he would play for less money. Chevalier worked mostly house parties, casuals, and for special occasions. Robert Clemon and Clifton Edmond were also from Louisiana, both originally from Opelousas. Albert Chevalier died in Houston in 1965. — Chris Strachwitz from the notes to Zydeco – Volume 1: The Early Years 1949-1962 (Arhoolie CD 307)

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Interviewees: Albert Chevalier, Clemon Robert, and Clifton Edmond
Interviewer: Chris Strachwitz
Date: Aug 7, 1961
Location: Houston, TX
Language: English

This is an interview originally recorded for research purposes. It is presented here in its raw state, unedited except to remove some irrelevant sections and blank spaces. All rights to the interview are reserved by the Arhoolie Foundation. Please do not use anything from this website without permission. info@arhoolie.org

Dear friends,

On Giving Tuesday, we announced the capital campaign to purchase our building at 10341 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito — home to the Arhoolie Foundation (and before that Arhoolie Records), Les Blank Films, and Down Home Music Store since 1976. We’ve been heartened by the community’s response to our fundraising announcement. To all who have donated so far: thank you. We couldn’t do this without you.

Now, while there is a contract in place to buy the building in partnership with Les Blank Films, we need to raise $1.2 million — our half of the purchase price — by April 15. Donations to the campaign can be made via the link below, by check, or by bank transfer. (To make a bank transfer, please email us at info@arhoolie.org).

In the new year, we look forward to collaborating with Les Blank Films and Down Home Music to bring more public programming to our community. We plan to revive Les Blank and Chris Strachwitz’s tradition of in-store film screenings and will host more informal, free performances and gatherings in the store as part of our outreach work. We believe this collaboration will result in a vibrant community gathering place dedicated to music, film, and deep roots culture.

If you’re interested in donating and would like to discuss our plans for the building, please don’t hesitate to email director Adam Machado at adam@arhoolie.org.

Thank you for your support as we begin this exciting new chapter!

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