Mamou- Cajun Music Capital

It was 1956 when I was an eight year old cajun waiting outside the Joy Movie Theater for my parents to "pick me up." That night was the first time I heard Cajun french music and was drawn to it like a magnet. I walked across the street, past Fred's Lounge, to the French Casino dance hall ( probably the "Jambalaya" at that time), and while standing at the front door I heard Cyprien and Adam Landreneau playing live Cajun music. I remember it was them because the local taxi driver told me so (can't remember his name, "Farouche" perhaps). From that moment on I was hooked on Cajun music . Fifteen years later Cyp and Adam would play a couple of tunes at my wedding. The pics in this clip are a representation of the local musicians I was exposed to, regularly, in Mamou from the '50's thru the '80's. These artist aren't all "from'' Mamou but played music in Mamou with regularity during those years. Thinking back...it was awesome. I remember, as a teenager in 1964, we were gathered at my friend's (BD Fontenot) home during a holiday season and BD decided we needed LIVE music. He left and went out and rounded up the Balfa Brothers to play music for our party. When the party ended, we "passed the hat" and gave them a little money in gratitude. But they hadn't played for the money; they played simply because they and we loved it. Several decades later, the Louisiana Legislature officially designated Mamou Louisiana as the CAJUN MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. The musicians in this clip are responsible for that honor. There are others not included in this video. This clip is a tribute those artist , preservationalist and promoters.
Vive la musique cajun! Laisser pas la musique s'arrêter.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Richard
• DesHotels
• Rdezo
• Steve
• Riley
• Playboys
• Fred's
• Lounge
• Mamou
• Cajun
• French
• Music
• Louisiana
• Balfa
• Brothers
• Nathan
• Abshire
• Dennis
• McGee
• Bois
• Sec
• Canery
• Fontenot
• folk
• new
• orleans
• Evangeline
• Parish

[ballinameen]

Just an Irishman from New York who loves this Music.

[Rdezo]

@ballinameen = Happy St Patrick's Day ! Like you, I love folk music also.

[MrPierremiller]

ARE ALL THOSE MUCISIANS FROM MAMOU ,LOUISIANA ?

[Rdezo]

@MrPierremiller No, some are from the surrounding area. They all performed regularly in Mamou. Many were actually born and lived in Mamou.

[palfab962]

whooa superb, made in down to louisiana in 1992 ish i think on a harley rented in virginia, saw DL play, wonderful memories, a cajun fan from across the pond

lovely mix of pace and styles - sweet

[Rdezo]

@palfab962 : by virtue of the fact that you rode a hog all the way down to Louisiana for a dose of cajun culture/music , and DL Menard left a positive & lasting impression on you, tells me "you get it." For that, I annoint you a certified Born Again Cajun ! lol Come back soon. Next year is Mamou's ( Cajun Music Capitol of the world) 100 year birthday celebration. A good time to visit.

[Shantyman47]

I wish I had known about this stuff when I was young. I'd have saved up my pennies and moved out to La.

I been 3 times, but now I am retired can no longer afford the trip from UK.

Thanks so much for putting this on and for the text with it.

[pomea]

Fantastic! Lots of photos I have never seen before. Thanks so much for this video!

[ballinameen]

Been up half the night and most of the day listening to this Beautiful Music. I love it.

[ballinameen]

Been up half the night and most of the day listening to this Beautiful Music. I love it.

[mamoubean]

@MrPierremiller

The Balfa brothers are from Mamou, I grew up in the same neighborhood about 5miles west of Mamou.

I went to school with Tony (Mr. Rodneys son)

[davidcrco]

THANKS FOR THE POST......

[MrPierremiller]

IT WAS THE GREEN LANTERN IN LAWTELL, AND BORQUE'S IN LEWISBURG...SO MANY PEOPLE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THESE TWO PLACES

[Rdezo]

@MrPierremiller That is correct. As I stated, they were from the surrounding area around Mamou and , during the 50's and 60's, played in MAMOU more than in Eunice, Basile, Church Point, etc.