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Touchet Family Interview

Marc and I wandered into Smiley’s Club in Erath, Louisiana, one Sunday afternoon to hear some music and cool off from the blazing summer day. In that dark bar was a wonderful elderly family band, The Touchet Family. There was even a woman singer, Eva Touchet, whose voice I loved. She played bass in the band. I asked them if I could come interview them. I went to a house in New Iberia attached to a little store, the family business.
They told a story of the Cajuns who worked in the swamps and waterways, a very different life from the prairie Cajuns. Eva will be appearing in Volume 3 of my books, the book on women.

– Ann Savoy

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  • Sullivan Aguillard, 1986 00:00
Interviewee: Touchet Family Band
Interviewer: Ann Savoy
Date: July 14, 1988
Location: Home of Willis Touchet
Language: French / français

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


Statement on the passing of Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie Records Founder
July 1, 1931 – May 5, 2023

We celebrate the life of our founder, friend, and great record man Chris Strachwitz. He died peacefully at home in Marin County, CA, surrounded in his last days by dear friends and family. Over his 91 years, Chris captured the music that represents the best “down home music” the world has to offer.

He was at the forefront of nearly all the roots revivals over the last 60 years including blues, zydeco, Cajun, Norteño and Tejano music. His drive to document traditional music helped introduce the nation to our diverse musical heritage. He had the foresight to save music that might have otherwise been lost to obscurity and played a role in strengthening cultural traditions through his records, films, and most recently the Arhoolie Foundation. He cared for those around him, fought for royalties and recognition for Arhoolie artists, and provided counsel to countless musicians, writers, film makers, and academics.

Plans for a public celebration of his life will be announced in the coming weeks. Today we’re thinking of all that Chris brought to our lives and the lives of the musicians and fans with whom he shared his passion.