26
Charles Thibodeaux Live at Evangeline Cafe in South Austin
Posted by admin
Only in Texas. Austin, Texas to be exact.
Charles Thibodeaux,
Cajun accordionist
Steve Doerr,Guitar
Howard Kalish,Fiddle
Charles was raised in a traditional Cajun family household in Beaumont, Texas. His parents were Church Point, Louisiana natives and for their wedding celebration and dance, Iry LeJeune provided the entertainment. His parents spoke French around the house when they didn’t want the kids to understand what they were saying but the kids understood it anyway.
Charles’s late cousin, Joe Thibodeaux, owned the Rodair Club in Port Acres Texas. During his youth, he visited the legendary club on a regular basis and was influenced to play the Cajun accordion by watching Andrew Cormier and The Rambling Aces band which included Rodney LeJeune, Dallas Roy and many other famous Cajun Musicians.
At age 16, a friend gave him a used accordion that had a couple of keys missing. It had tape over the holes and reeds that wouldn’t play. After saving up his money, he bought an inexpensive Hohner but got side tracked away from his music for many years. While visiting an uncle in Church Point in the early 90′s, Charles mentioned that he was shopping for an accordion. His uncle walked him through the pasture, and over to the house next door and Charles bought a Pointe Noir in the key of C from the famous accordion builder, Dick Richard. He also plays 2 Martin accordions in the keys of D and B flat.
Charles formed a traditional Cajun Band in the Spring of 2004 for a group of Mardi Gras enthusiasts and they have since, thrilled audiences throughout the State of Texas and they continue to Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler—Let the Good Times Roll in Austin!
Duration : 0:4:49
First song is “Evangeline Special” from Iry LeJune and the second song is “Jambalaya” from Jo-El Sonnier
The 38th Annual Mamou Cajun Music Festival was held this past weekend (Aug. 15,2009) and Mamous’ own legend ,Steve Riley, was this years honoree. He performed for the large crowd at the Mamou Recreational Complex shortly after he was presented with his festival poster as a token of appreciation. He thanked many people who influenced his passion and love for Cajun culture, music and performing, including TJ Landreneau, Jamie Berzas and especially his family and friends. He said when he and his band, The Mamou Playboys, perform, it is so much more than just playing good music, its about proudly representing his hometown of Mamou.
In 1956 I was a young boy,waiting outside the Joy Theater for my parents to “pick me up”,when I heard live Cajun music for the first time. I walked across the street,past Fred’s Lounge to the French Casino,and standing at the front door I heard Cyp and Adam Landreneau playing live Cajun music. I know it was them because the local taxi driver told me so (can’t remember his name). I was hooked on Cajun music from that moment on. Fifteen years later Cyp and Adam would play a couple of tunes at my wedding. The pics illustrated in this clip are of the local musicians that I was exposed to in Mamou from during the ’50′s thru the ’80′s. Not all are actually “from” Mamou but all were around and playing music in Mamou while I was growing up there. 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 music. He left his home and rounded up the Balfa Brothers to join us and play music for our party. We “passed the hat” at the end of the night and gave the money to them in gratitude. But they hadn’t played for the money,they played simply because they and we loved it. Mamou Louisiana would later be named the CAJUN MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. The musicians in this clip are responsible for that honor. There are many more not included in this video. This video is a tribute to those