Genre: Cajun
The Ann Savoy Collection Goes Live
The Arhoolie Foundation is proud to make available new audio interviews with legendary Cajun and Creole musicians from the Ann Savoy Interview Collection. Ann’s collection consists...
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Dewey Balfa, 1993
Dewey Balfa was one of our best friends. We spent a lot of time with him both on the road and playing music and partying at our house. Dewey was very handsome and had a magical way of touching peoples’ hearts everywhere he went.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Bois Sec & Marceline Ardoin, 1984
When I lived in Richmond, Virginia, one of my first and favorite Louisiana LPs was an album from the Arhoolie label by Bois Sec Ardoin, Canray Fontenot, and his son, Morris. I loved the simplicity of the accordion style, the soulful tone of the vocals, and the way they spoke the French language.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Harry & Tony Balfa, 1984
I had known Tony for years and had travelled with Marc, Dewey and Rodney when Tony was playing with them on the road. Tony was a kind, gentle soul like his father Rodney. I interviewed Harry to learn more about Rodney since Rodney had died
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Luderin Darbone, 1983
Luderin was the most delicate and practicing Christian of the people I interviewed. And could he play the swing fiddle! So humble…The Hackberry Ramblers were, in their heyday, the young, “with it” band in Louisiana.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Shirley Bergeron, 1983
Marc was a good friend of Shirley’s father, Alphée Bergeron, and his band The Veteran Playboys. He got me to listen to their CDs, especially Shirley singing Quelle Etoile! What a voice.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Bébé Carrière, 1983
I clearly remember going to Bébé’s little house in Lawtell to interview him. He was a handsome, light skin creole, tall and slim. He had a gentle, slow way of talking.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: DL Menard, 1983
When I first met Marc he was traveling extensively with DL Menard, Doc Guidry, and sometimes Dewey Balfa. They called themselves The Louisiana Aces. DL was always ready to tease everyone and laugh. He was such a character.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Dennis McGee
Dennis lived in Eunice and was a constant visiter at Marc’s store, Savoy Music Center, and also at our house. Since he was the best living example of early Cajun music he was in high demand among musical historians and with young Cajuns and outsiders who wanted to learn the roots of the music.
Read MoreAnn Savoy Collection: Aldus Roger
There can’t be enough said about the importance of Aldus Roger and the Lafayette Playboys. Their excellent band set the standard for Cajun dancehall bands. They actually were on TV on Saturday afternoons in Acadiana on channel 10 and both Cajuns and Black creoles would sit riveted to their TVs watching them, so proud for one of their own French speaking people to be on TV!
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