Cajun Archives - The Arhoolie Foundation

Down Home Music: The Stories and Photographs of Chris Strachwitz

A visual storytelling celebration of American roots music in its rich variety through unseen and newly scanned photographs by the founder of the legendary Arhoolie Records....

The Ann Savoy Collection Goes Live

https://youtu.be/GuJgSbV2Wss 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...

Ann 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.

Ann 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.

Ann 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

Ann 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.

Ann 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.

Ann 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.

Ann 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.

Ann 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.

Genre: Cajun