Center for Louisiana Studies Archival Catalog
This searchable database provides information on images, documents, and audio and video recordings, made between 1934 and the present.
Interview with Warren Storm (after Johnnie Allan interview)
Johnnie Allan interview (cont.):
00:01 - Publishing rights;
01:23 - Suing for publishing rights;
01:39 - "Family Rule," Lonnie Brooks;
03:25 - Floyd Soileau;
04:48 - Royalties;
05:27 - Hiding master tapes;
06:17 - Judging success;
07:44 - J. D. Miller;
08:55 - Louisiana artists signing with non-Louisiana record labels;
09:15 - Cosimo Matassa;
9:55 - Beatles, Rolling Stones;
11:11 - Mick Jagger talking about Louisiana;
12:38 - Publishing a book about Jimmy Donley;
15:16 - Touring with big names;
15:22 - Rod Bernard;
15:40 - Freddy Cannon;
15:42 - Larry Williams;
15:45 - Johnny Horton;
16:00 - Frankie Ford;
16:07 - Skip & Flip;
16:50 - Swamp pop going countrywide;
17:05 - New country;
Interview with Warren Storm [21:40]:
22:24 - Rhythm and Blues, origins of Swamp Pop;
22:54 - Influences;
22:59 - Fats Domino;
23:00 - Joe Turner;
23:01 - Chuck Willis;
23:02 - Little Richard;
23:03 - Chuck Berry;
23:04 - Elvis Presley;
23:12 - Playing country music, Hank Williams;
23:34 - Rainbow Ramblers, Happy Fats, Al Terry, Doc Guidry;
24:15 - Meeting Hank Williams on the Hadacol caravan;
25:04 - Dudley LeBlanc;
25:07 - Bobby Charles;
25:39 - Dave Bartholomew and Cosimo Matassa;
26:14 - "Walkin' To New Orleans";
26:50 - The Cardinals;
27:40 - Meeting Elvis Presley;
30:45 - Playing with various bands;
31:02 - Herb Landry;
31:08 - Larry Brasso;
32:08 - Origin of and list of early band names;
32:48 - Skip Stewart;
33:39 - J. D. Miller;
35:30 - Nasco records;
35:40 - Excello records;
35:48 - Lazy Lester;
35:49 - Lightnin' Slim;
35:50 - Slim Harpo;
35:51 - Lonesome Sundown;
36:34 - Ernie Young;
36:40 - Rocko label;
36:50 - Recording in Nashville;
37:00 - Paul Cohen, Top Rank Records, and Decca Records;
37:40 - Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Hank Garland;
40:51 - Royalties;
42:10 - Recording with Floyd Soileau;
45:48 - Defining swamp pop;
Interview with Joe Barry
Interview with Benny Graeff (cont.):
00:15 - Favorite songs;
00:25 - Clint West, Clinton Guillory;
01:57 - Cookie and the Cupcakes;
02:07 - Jerry LaCroix;
02:20 - Boogie Kings;
04:40 - The future of swamp pop;
04:42 - Kenny Thibodeaux and the Jokers;
05:22 - Radio stations;
06:15 - Corporate music - cutting off local music everywhere;
08:20 - Blue Runners;
09:17 - Wayne Toups;
09:38 - Elvis Presley;
09:40 - British invasion;
10:37 - Jeff Pollard;
11:10 - Royalties;
12:22 - CD production and the music industry;
12:50 - Red Beans and Rice;
12:55 - Victor Palmer, Ronnie Palmer;
13:14 - Zachary Richard;
13:20 - Bruce McDonald;
13:23 - Beausoleil members;
14:28 - Olin John "Leroy" Evans;
14:40 - Lawrence Walker;
15:10 - Designing art for Festivals Acadiens;
15:30 - Working with Floyd Soileau;
16:26 - Working with Victor Palmer;
16:30 - Dockside Studios, DKS Records;
17:30 - Steve Nails;
20:00 - Defining Swamp Pop
Interview with Joe Barry [24:24]
24:30 - Fans;
25:20 - Freddy Fender;
26:00 - Band at Angola, running into Freddy Fender;
27:20 - Joe Long, Huey Meaux;
27:40 - Selling out gigs in New Orleans;
29:45 - Jayne Mansfield, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman;
30:21 - Touring the world;
31:14 - Rockin' Rolland;
31:25 - John Broven;
32:08 - Ethnic mafias;
33:25 - Playing in Vegas;
33:46 - Louis Prima;
35:05 - Making trouble in San Antonio;
36:40 - Destroying hotel rooms;
40:26 - Family background;
42:28 - Musicians in the family;
42:48 - Vin Bruce, "French music";
43:15 - Lee Martin;
43:40 - Musical influences;
44:48 - Boxing;
46:45 - Definition of swamp pop;
Interview with Joe Barry (cont.) and Ned Theall
Interview with Joe Barry (cont.):
00:30 - Musical influences - Gospel music, Ray Charles;
01:00 - Learning guitar - Joe's brother gave him his first guitar;
02:10 - Joe says he took music theory classes at UCLA, never graduated;
03:45 - Formation of "The Delphis." Joe talks about the origin of the name;
04:40 - "I'm a Fool to Care;"
06:00 - Cutting other songs with Floyd Soileau;
09:30 - Mercury Records licensing "I'm a Fool to Care" Floyd couldn't keep up with pressing demands, so he got Mercury to release it on Smash Records;
12:00 - Money woes;
15:00 - Quitting the business, went back to working in the oilfield;
15:30 - Moved back to Nashville and started doing session work;
17:40 - Talking about his first session at Bradley's Barn in Nashville, cut 6 sides - "Chantilly Lace," "I Started Loving You Again," "Ode to a Woman," "Always," "I'm Feeling Blue Again;"
20:00 - Business woes and quitting the business again;
22:30 - Made an album with ABC. The company was sold within six weeks of the album release and lost the momentum on i
23:30 - Talks about his gospel album and starting a ministry;
25:15 - Quit preaching;
26:30 - Health and money issues - Had a heart attack and lived in his house with no power or running water. He tried his best to keep a positive outlook;
27:40 - Had five bypass surgeries, his house burned down, and his mom passed away all around the same time;
29:00 - Working on a new album and maintaining total ownership and control;
30:00 - Discussing the future of Swamp Pop;
31:30 - Defining Swamp Pop - "Singing about life;"
33:00 - Joe's favorite Swamp Pop tunes - "This Should Go on Forever," "Irene," "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," etc;
38:20 - Interview with Ned Theall;
38:50 - Founding of The Boogie Kings - Started in 1956 as a four piece band - Douglas Ardoin, Bert Miller, Norris Badeau, Brian Leger;
39:40 - Joined the band in 1963 - Clint West and G.G. Shin were the singers at that point;
41:00 - Talking about the band splitting and the two groups both using the same name. They went to court, Ned won and was able to continue using the name;
44:00 - Out of state gigs in the mid-late 60s;
45:20 - Four phases of The Boogie Kings;
Interview with Ned Theall and Lil' Bob
Interview with Ned Theall (cont.):
00:07 - Splitting profits;
00:55 - Putting on a show;
01:10 - Story about sitting in with Rod Bernard;
02:40 - Charles Bourgeois;
03:00 - Band rivalry;
03:50 - "Blue-eyed soul";
03:58 - Tour with the Righteous Brothers;
04:28 - Defining the Boogie Kings as Rhythm and Blues;
05:59 - Evolution of the Boogie Kings;
06:03 - Fats Domino;
06:05 - Little Richard;
06:11 - James Brown;
06:28 - Otis Redding;
06:37 - Backing up for other artists (Margo White, Buffalo Springfield);
07:00 - Name change to American Soul Train;
08:30 - Clint West leaving the band;
08:55 - Royalties;
10:09 - "Fabulous Boogie Kings;"
10:30 - recording for Rocko label, Skip Stewart;
11:20 - "Tell it like it is," Aaron Neville;
11:45 - Stan Lewis;
13:10 - First Boogie Kings album;
13:57 - J. D. Miller;
14:03 - Johnnie Allen;
14:09 - Warren Storm;
14:45 - Defining Swamp Pop - "White Soul Music";
15:05 - Musical influences in Louisiana;
15:48 - Personal musical influences, jazz;
16:03 - Dixieland Jazz;
16:35 - Rock 'n Roll starting in LA, Rod Bernard, Bobby Charles, Roy Perkins;
18:37 - The Cardinals and Bobby Charles;
19:35 - Fats Domino;
20:09 - Cookie and the Cupcakes;
20:20 - Swamp pop standards;
22:00 - Bobby Bland;
22:27 - Ray Charles;
23:00 - Future of the Boogie Kings;
Interview with Lil' Bob [26:28]:
26:43 - Personal background;
27:07 - Musical background;
27:40 - Good Rockin' Bob;
27:48 - Starting his own band and his radio show;
29:34 - Cookie and the Cupcakes;
30:05 - "Little One," "Take It Easy Katy";
30:17 - Katy Webster;
31:30 - Louisiana music traditions;
32:42 - Touring overseas;
34:15 - Recording then and now;
35:23 - Overseas interest in Louisiana music;
35:35 - Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Johnnie Allen;
36:30 - Working with newer local talent to go overseas;
37:45 - Floyd Soileau;
38:26 - "I Got Loaded," Los Lobos, and getting credit;
39:40 - Benefit for Chick Vidrine;
44:14 - Local gigs;
44:52 - Jake Graffignino, Decca label;
Interview with Buddy King
Interview with Buddy King:
00:00 - FM radio;
01:20 - Working at different radio stations around Louisiana;
03:45 - Became music director at radio station in Alexandria. Played "Sweet Dreams;" a year or so before it became popular;
04:30 - Seeing the Boogie Kings live at a small lounge in Alexandria. Tommy McClain gave him the test pressing of "Sweet Dreams" to play on the station
09:00 - "Breaking records" and getting credit. Lafayette as a test market for records; Gauging success of a record;
11:00 - Determining airtime for a record;
13:30 - Using the local market to determine what to play, not going strictly by what is selling nationally;
14:30 - R&R Magazine, more on determining airtime of a record;
17:30 - Passing up on a chance to work in Lafayette, eventually left Alexandria for a job in Waco, TX
20:20 - Eventually moved back to Lafayette to be closer to family;
20:50 - Songs that he broke - "Wooly Bully," "Rag Doll," "How Do You Do," "VooDoo Woman,"
21:20 - Playing The Beatles in the early 60s;
28:45 - Figuring out what listeners like; Trying new songs that might not necessarily be on people radar;
31:15 - Swamp Pop records - Bobby Charles, Charles Mann
32:00 - Boss format radio - Popular radio format that specialized in mostly music;
35:00 - Joining KROF in Abbeville - Regaining listeners;
35:40 - Charles Mann - "Red Red Wine;"
36:55 - Problems with management at KVOL;
39:30 - "Living, eating, sleeping radio and music;"
44:15 - Personal background;
Interview with Buddy King (cont.) and Bobby Charles
Interview with Buddy King (cont.):
00:47 - Getting into radio with Larry Hargrove;
03:39 - Heritage- Native American, Spanish, and Irish;
04:38 - Evolution of the name "Buddy King";
08:52 - Musical preferences and influences;
09:03 - Elvis Presley;
09:43 - Bon Jovi;
09:55 - Mamou;
10:45 - trading a gun for a guitar;
11:11 - Musicians in the family;
12:49 - Gospel music;
13:09 - Hank Williams;
15:05 - Rufus Jagneaux;
16:47 - Floyd Soileau;
19:33 - Gold records;
19:40 - Yes, "Roundabout";
20:09 - Helping out local folks;
21:07 - Working as a music director and as a promoter;
22:47 - Defining Swamp Pop;
23:10 - South Louisiana;
25:48 - Life after KVOL;
26:19 - Managing Black Dog;
26:28 - oil company;
26:40 - New Iberia TV station;
26:56 - Back to radio;
Interview with Bobby Charles (Abbeville, LA) [30:41]:
30:59 - Personal background;
31:24 - Dropping Guidry from his name;
31:58 - Speaking French;
32:50 - Musical influences;
32:56 - French music:
33:00 - Country music;
33:08 - Rhythm and blues;
33:21 - Writing songs;
34:00 - Musical instincts;
34:19 - Willie Nelson, Neil Young;
35:17 - Taping songs;
37:30 - Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Hank Williams;
37:39 - Fats Domino;
37:50 - Writing for Fats;
40:04 - Meeting Fats for the first time;
40:34 - "See You Later, Alligator";
41:00 - Writing for Fats;
43:23 - Chuck Berry;
43:58 - Jazz influence;
44:54 - Dixieland jazz;
45:30 - Royalties;
46:00 - Recording with Neil Young and Willie Nelson;
Interview with Bobby Charles (cont.)
Interview with Bobby Charles (cont.):
01:30 - "One-eyed Jack" - inspiration behind the song;
01:50 - Wrote a song for Elvis Presley - Chess didn't want to send the song to Elvis
02:20 - Meeting Elvis in Memphis at a theatre;
03:15 - Recording "See You Later, Alligator;" and "On Bended Knee;"
04:50 - Performing songs with Dave Bartholomew;
06:50 - Woodstock, NY - recording and living there;
10:00 - Discussing his approach to songwriting;
11:10 - First time in Chicago meeting Leonard Chess. Chess thought Bobby was black based on how he sounded over the phone;
13:55 - Getting ripped off by Jewel/Paula Records; Crooks in the music business;
15:30 - Discussing how Louisiana is/was one of the centers for musical talent;
16:10 - Radio stations rejecting local artists;
18:20 - Bobby mentions that he never worked with J.D. Miller;
19:00 - Bobby doesn't consider himself a musician, he considers himself a songwriter. He says he never knows what kind of song is going to come out next;
20:40 - Inspiration for a song - Could be a phrase that somebody says or a quick note that is played on a guitar
21:20 - Bobby wrote a song called "String of Hearts" that was inspired by the houseplant of the same name;
22:25 - Dr. John called Bobby to help him write a song. Dr. John wasn't able to get past the first line.
23:00 - Defining Swamp Pop; discussing how they hate the moniker:
28:00 - Discussing regaining publishing rights to his songs and having other artists record his songs;
29:05 - Rice and Gravy label;
30:00 - Bobby says there's no respect for musicians within Louisiana;
33:40 - "Walking to New Orleans" - promotes Louisiana tourism, but it isn't appreciated;
34:30 - Bobby plays songs for interviewer. Bobby Charles the environmentalist;
43:30 - The music business - It's tough to make it as a full-time musician in Lafayette;
Interview with Bobby Charles (cont.)
DUPLICATE
Content Warning - Strong Language
Interview with Bobby Charles (cont.):
00:01 - "See You Later, Alligator";
00:28 - Zachary Richard covering his song;
01:25 - "One-eyed Jack" and inspiration behind the song;
01:45 - Writing "Yea Yea Baby" for Elvis;
02:20 - Meeting Elvis in Memphis;
02:50 - Tom Parker;
03:28 - Recording "See You Later, Alligator," performing songs with Dave Bartholomew;
05:30 - Woodstock, recording and living here;
10:20 - Song writing;
11:22 - Sounding black;
13:58 - Hub City, Stan Lewis, Jewel Records, and getting ripped off;
15:25 - Louisiana's role in the American music industry;
15:50 - Rejecting local artists;
19:00- Born an artist;
20:35 - Inspiration;
22:22 - Dr. John;
24:10 - Defining Swamp Pop;
25:50 - Fats Domino and the triplet piano style;
26:44 - Roy Perkins;
27:15 - Cosimo Matassa's studio;
28:00 - Interest in music;
28:20 - Getting publishing rights back to songs he wrote;
29:03 - Rice and Gravy label;
29:40 - No respect within Louisiana;
32:30 - Solution to pollution;
33:39 - "Walking to New Orleans" - promotes Louisiana tourism, but it isn't appreciated;
34:35 - Plays songs for interviewer;
36:50 - Bobby Charles the environmentalist;
41:27 - "See You Later, Alligator";
42:15 - The business of music;
45:30 - Politics;
Interview with Bobby Charles (cont.); Skip Stewart; and T.K. Hulin
Interview with Bobby Charles (cont.):
French song - "Champs Élysée" Bobby mentions that he's been to Paris, but never went to the Champs Élysée;
02:20 - Interview with Skip Stewart;
02:30 - Changing name from Guillory to Stewart (1959) when he was with The Twisters. Their manager suggested something easier to pronounce
04:00 - Early solo recordings for Jin and La Louisiane;
04:50 - "Take Her Back" Written by Rod Bernard
05:15 - Forming The Shondells; Warren Storm was working at Romero's Music in New Iberia when they approached him about joining the band. Rod Bernard came up with the name;
09:00 - The Shondells first gig at the Southern Club;
11:55 - Drug use within the band - Skip wanted to avoid them. Talking about eventually leaving the band to focus on his family;
13:10 - Stan Lewis - Owner of Jewel, Paula, Ron Records;
15:30 - Joining the Boogie Kings - First gig at a Catholic Church in Elton in 1957;
18:30 - Swing Kings - Albert Miller formed the band after the Boogie Kings broke up;
21:00 - Session work with Carol Rachou, Jay Miller, Floyd Soileau;
25:00 - Defining Swamp Pop;
27:30 - Musical influences - ;
30:30 - Musicians in the family - Skips Dad, Maurice Guillory, was an accomplished Cajun fiddler;
32:00 - Personal history;
33:00 - Becoming a DJ
35:55 - Interview with T.K. Hulin;
36:00 - Getting the nickname T.K. - Came from his uncle who gave he and his siblings nicknames;
37:30 - Early recordings - "I'm Not a Fool" released in 1964, Mercury picked the record up;
38:20 - T.K. plays drums, bass, guitar, mentions that he never wrote any songs;
39:00 - True to R&B; Musical influences were Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Sam Cooke;
39:30 - Defining Swamp Pop -"Mixture of Louisiana Music and R&B"
40:45 - Personal information - Born in Saint Martinville in 1944; Was a farmer in his early days. Couldn't go on American Bandstand due to crop harvest;
42:20 - Cajun music revival;
43:10 - The Lonely Knights - formed in 1959, His dad owned the LK Label with Robert Thibodeaux;
44:30 - Interview with Clint West;
44:30 - The split of The Boogie Kings - Ned Theall's group kept the name, Clint changed his band to The Fabulous Kings;
Interviews with Clint West, Bert Miller, Barbara Lynn
Interview with Clint West at the Southern Club:
00:17 - Stage name - Real name is Clinton Guillory
00:40 - Early bands - The Rollercoasters; Red Smiley and the Vel-tones, Too Too and the Diamonds;
02:45 - "Big Blue Diamonds" and Little Willie John;
03:20 - "Mr. Jeweler;"
04:08 - Musical influences - Loved French music, specifically Nathan Abshire, Clint plays accordion, as well. Also Fats Domino, Little Richard;
05:13 - Defining Swamp Pop - "Combination of Rock 'n Roll and Country Music;"
06:15 - Musicians in the family - Parents looked down on him becoming a career musician. He says many of his relatives were musically inclined, but never pursued it;
07:24 - He's only ever been a musician. Clint tells a story about getting fired from his first job;
07:45 - Born in Ville Platte in 1938
08:15 - Interview with Bert Miller at the Southern Club:
08:24 - Stage name - "Bert Miller;"
08:40 - The Boogie Kings - Was a trio when the band first started;
08:56 - Doug Ardoin and Harris Miller;
09:37 - Formation of The Swing Kings;
10:40 - Playing rhythm and blues;
11:16 - "Blue-eyed Soul;"
11:50 - "Lost Love;" Shane mentions that Bert was imitating Fats Domino;
12:35 - "Southland;" - Rockabilly style tune that was the flip-side to "Lost Love;"
12:54 - Musical influences - Joe Turner, BB King, Otis Redding;
13:37 - Defining Swamp Pop - Mentions they'd learn Johnnie Allan, Warren Storm, etc tunes that were popular at the time, to play live;
14:55 - Birthplace and year;
15:03 - Current profession - Medical Technologist;
16:35 - Interview with Barbara Lynn at Podnah's Club, Saint Martinville:
17:15 - Name pronunciation;
17:30 - Personal history;
18:04 - Musicians in the family - Has a son who she mentions is going into Rap music, also has an uncle who sings in the church choir;
19:29 - Wanted to learn to play guitar because of Elvis, also played piano;
21:05 - Women playing the guitar;
22:10 - Musical influences - Elvis Presley, Guitar Slim, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Etta James;
23:07 - First worked with Huey Meaux after being discovered by Joe Barry;
23:47 - Working with Leroy Martin at Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans;
25:30 - Working with Huey Meaux;
26:30 - Hit songs, "You'll Lose a Good Thing" made it to number 1 on multiple charts
27:10 - Teardrop Label, Jamie Records;
27:28 - First song - "Dina and Petrina"
28:10 - Other record labels she signed to;
28:56 - Other jobs besides music;
29:00 - Going to California;
29:48 - Recent releases with Ichiban Records;
30:40 - Defining Swamp Pop;
32:40 - Racial issues - Performing in white clubs - Mentions that she hasn't had many issues;
34:06 - Royalty issues. They discuss King Karl not receiving royalties for "This Should Go On Forever;";
35:15 - Live recording of The Fabulous Boogie Kings and Dr. John;
36:10 - Instrumental;
39:07 - "Hold On;"
Interviews with Warren Storm and Benny Graeff
Interview with Warren Storm (cont.):
00:30 - Defining Swamp Pop - says Louisiana drummers have a different feel - stronger backbeat;
01:50 - Drumming techniques - learned from Charlie Williams, his daddy, and other New Orleans musicians;
02:15 - Drumming Style of New Orleans;
02:30 - Musical roots - His dad played guitar, harmonica, fiddle, drums, no other family members played anything;
03:30 - Was in Cypress from 1980-1987, Bad Weather was in the late 80s;
03:50 - Yesterday's Band - Warren Storm and Thomas Blaine;
05:00 - Future of Swamp Pop - in demand and more appreciated on the West Coast and England;
06:30 - Swamp Pop Standards - "Mathilda," "This Should Go On Forever," "Prisoner Song," etc;
09:05 - Interview with Benny Graeff - June 24, 1991 - At Graeff's office on Jefferson Street in Lafayette;
09:50 - Golden years of Swamp Pop - Started in 1955 and came to a close in the early 70s;
11:30 - Lived with his grandmother who didn't speak English in his early years while his dad was in the service;
12:20 - Origins of the name "Rufus Jagneaux;"
16:20 - Writing Songs - "Opelousas Sostan," "Port Barre;"
20:30 - Family Information - Related to Wayne Toups;
22:00 - Some stations didn't want to play "Opelousas Sostan;"
24:45 - His grandmother taught him words to some traditional Cajun tunes. These songs stuck with him;
25:30 - Musical influences;
29:45 - Playing music in Japan - Band was called "The Disasters," - Played for teen dances and a musical instrument manufacturer (Diatone);
32:20 - Learning to play music - Says his parents were very supportive of his musical persuits;
34:20 - Jukeboxes
36:30 - Never made a full album with Rufus Jagneaux;
37:30 - Says there were negative feelings towards the band with other musicians from the area;
38:50 - Discussion about Barry Ancelet, Clifton Chenier;
41:00 - Jay's Lounge;
41:40 - They opened for ZZ Top at Liberty Hall in Houston;
42:10 - Willie Purple's club on Pinhook;
43:30 - Bruce McDonald;
45:30 - Considers "Opelousas Sostan" a Swamp Pop song
Interview with Huey Meaux
00:15 - Personal history - Born in Wright, LA between Kaplan and Gueydan, Father was Stanislaus Meaux (sharecropping rice farmer and accordion player);
02:10 - Musicians in the family - Huey's aunt was Theresa Falcon;
03:15 - Moved to Winnie, Texas when he was 12;
04:15 - Crazy Cajun radio show/records;
05:00 - "Pioneers of the music business;"
06:00 - Early hits "Breaking Up is Hard to do," "This Should Go On Forever;"
06:30 - Managing Jivin' Gene, promoting various artists recordings;
09:00 - J. P. Richardson - "Chantilly Lace;"
09:10 - Floyd Soileau - JIN records;
10:25 - Commentary on John Broven's book;
11:45 - Joe Barry and Rockin' Sidney;
12:15 - Promoting records;
12:50 - Traveling with Joe Barry to Harlem;
13:45 - Defining Swamp Pop/South Louisiana Music;
17:00 - Recording Freddy Fender;
18:15 - Jimmy Donley;
22:00 - "I'm Leaving it up to You;"
22:20 - Record labels - Crazy Cajun, Teardrop, Jetstream, etc;
23:00 - Payola;
25:00 - Buying rights for songs;
27:45 - Sugarhill Studios;
29:00 - Current projects - Getting songs used in movies;
30:00 - Barbara Lynn;
31:30 - Catching up on family news;
Interview with Little Alfred, Charles Mann, and John Fred
Interview with Little Alfred:
00:32 - Broven's book;
00:56 - Personal history;
01:24 - His cousin Simon Lubin starts Cookie and the Cupcakes;
02:00 - time in Cookie and the Cupcakes;
02:20 - The Berry Cups;
02:59 - Chick Vidrine story;
04:08 - Musical influences- Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke;
04:50 - Swamp Pop vs. South Louisiana R&B;
06:05 - Early experiences with music;
06:50 - The Clovers;
07:10 - The Cupcakes;
07:55 - "Twisted;"
09:55 - Stan Lewis;
10:15 - Performing in white clubs - racial tensions;
12:07 - Cookie;
12:38 - Racial tensions/provocations;
16:05 - Friendship between artists;
17:00 - American Soul Train - "Can You Dig It"
Interview with Charles Mann [18:48]:
19:10 - Real name;
19:24 - Birthplace and year;
20:03 - Musical history - family, heritage;
20:17 - Speaking French;
29:50 - Musical influences- Johnnie Allan, Rod Bernard, Gene Bourgeois, Glenn Wells;
21:56 - Dizzy Richard;
22:15 - The Eltradors;
22:48 - Playing around Louisiana;
23:49 - First record;
24:10 - "Keep Your Arms Around Me," O.B. McClinton;
25:21 - "You're No Longer Mine";
25:50 - "Red Red Wine";
26:37 - Buddy King;
27:12 - 1970s;
27:26 - "My Kind of Girl," William Bell;
27:54 - 1980s;
28:10 - Muscle Shoals studio;
28:40 - "Walk of Life";
28:46 - Touring England;
29:38 - English fans;
30:50 - English eating habits;
31:35 - "Walk of Life";
33:28 - Swamp Pop;
34:25 - French music in England;
36:20 - Tom McLaine;
37:00 - Bobby Charles;
Interview with John Fred [38:00]:
Content Warning: Racial Slur
38:30 - Whole name;
38:47 - Musical influences - Les Paul, Mary Ford, Frankie Lane, Fats Domino, Smiley Louis, Jimmy Reed;
42:00 - First band;
44:00- Race music;
44:26 - Sports - father's baseball past;
45:20 - Playing recreation halls
Interview with Huey Meaux [47:00];
47:14 - Family history;
48:30 - Musicians in the family;
Interview with John Fred (cont.)
Interview with John Fred (cont.):
00:15 - Local gigs with The Playboys in the late 50s;
01:00 - "Shirley" - Recording the song at Cosimo's for Sam Montelbano of Montel Records
02:00 - Studio musicians for the "Shirley" session using Fats Domino's band;
02:30 - Meeting Fats Domino;
04:00 - Montelbano's advice - adding Fred's name to the band name;
05:30 - Studying education and history in college, would still play music in the summertime;
06:00 - 1963 - The new Playboys recorded "Boogie Chillin'" with Carol Rachou;
07:00 - Stan Lewis leased "Boogie Chillin'" on Jewel/Paula Records
08:00 - Recording "Agnes English" and "Judy in Disguise;" which sold 10 million copies and went #1 around the world;
08:35 - Meeting Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison and discussing the Beatles' love of south LA music;
15:40 - Meeting Elvis Presley;
18:50 - Meeting and touring with Jimi Hendrix in 1969;
20:00 - Touring with other famous bands - Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, Box Tops, Sly and the Family Stone, etc
21:20 - Les Paul's influence;
24:20 - Bobby Charles' songs;
25:10 - Writing and recording "Judy in Disguise;"
30:50 - Using a horn section;
31:30 - Playboys line up;
44:30 - Alan Fried - Commercialization of the term "rock 'n roll;"
32:30 - G. G. Shin, Tommy McClain, Relations with other artists;
34:10 - Jobs outside of the band - Worked for RCS Records;
36:45 - Says he doesn't identify as Swamp Pop Musician - More R&B and pop;
37:30 - Boogie Kings - John says they were cocky and didn't necessarily create anything new;
42:00 - Labeling artists as "Swamp Pop;"
Interview with John Fred (cont.) and Tommy McLain
Interview with John Fred (cont.):
00:30 – Discussion of other interviews conducted;
01:10 – Best wishes;
Interview with Tom McLain [01:46]:
02:05 - Personal history - birthplace, hometown, high school;
02:47 – Jerry Lee Lewis, Howard K. Smith, Jimmy Swaggart;
03:00 - Early experiences playing music;
05:06 – Little Richard, Larry Williams, Fats Domino;
05:30 – Hank Williams, Ernest Tubbs, Grand Ole Opry;
05:50 – Meeting Ray Price, Bob Wills at the E & E Night Club;
06:12 – Al Ferrier;
06:45 – J. D. Miller;
07:04 – The Pelican Club, The Starlighters;
07:35 – Clint West, playing with Red Smiley and the Bell Tones;
09:00 – Freddy Fender and the Carousel Club;
09:45 - Jack Arnold and the Flames;
10:08 - Touring military bases;
10:58 - Playing with Clint West and the Roller Coasters;
11:35 - Playing bass guitar;
13:40 - Giving up music;
13:57 - Getting back into the business;
14:00 - Leroy's lounge;
15:20 – Buddy King;
15:32 - Cutting a record;
15:40 - "Sweet Dreams”;
16:12 – story about the master tape;
18:18 - Joining The Boogie Kings and working with Clint West;
18:40 - Recording for Floyd Soileau;
20:57 - Huey Meaux;
22:10 - Success of "Sweet Dreams”;
22:32 – Carla Thomas;
23:15 – The Smothers Brothers, The Yardbirds, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant;
25:08 – Huey going to jail, trouble with pills;
26:40 - Smitty Smith saves McLain;
27:25 - Back with Huey Meaux;
28:00 – recording, "No Tomorrows Now”;
29:39 - Playing in Lafayette;
32:20 - Re-signing with Meaux;
33:10 - Recording with Freddy Fender;
36:55 - The Mule Train Band;
37:10 - Staying clean and finding religion;
37:50 - "The Roses”;
38:00 - Current projects;
40:50 - First guitar;
42:43 - Musical influences;
44:27 – seeing Little Richard live;
Interviews with George Khoury and Stan Lewis
Interview with George Khoury:
01:00 - Personal history - Born in 1908 or 1918 in Lake Charles;
01:28 - Early interest in music - Started in the jukebox business and opened the first Khoury's Record Shop (late 40s);
02:30 - Purchasing Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, etc records in bulk;
03:25 - Starting his first record label;
04:20 - Starting Khoury Records in the 50s. Lists some of his early hits - "Mathilda," "Sea of Love;"
05:45 - Legal problems with Phil Phillips;
06:35 - Would send masters to be pressed at ACA in Houston;
08:00 - Didn't own a studio. He always used different studios - Goldband, ACA
09:50 - Cajun records - Recorded "Pine Grove Blues." Port Arthur, TX was as far west as he'd sell French Records
10:45 - Carol Fran;
13:00 - Sea of Love was cut at Goldband, Mathilda was cut at KAOK Radio in Lake Charles
15:25 - Listing other artists he recorded
16:00 - Business dealings with J.D. Miller;
17:00 - Quitting the record business and became a deputy sheriff;
17:30 - Collecting royalties - "Sea of Love;"
19:00 - Defining Swamp Pop;
19:45 - Discussing the confusion around his birth year;
20:20 - Interview with Stan Lewis begins;
20:45 - Jukebox business, Stan's record service (handled distribution, sales, pressing)
22:15 - Working with Chess, Imperial, Specialty, Miracle;
25:00 - Wolfman Jack
26:00 - Mail order record business;
29:00 - Stan's One Stop - distributing records
32:30 - Bobby Charles was his first artist to record;
33:30 - Working with other local record labels;
36:25 - Enjoy label;
36:50 - John Fred and the Playboys;
40:20 - Various labels started - Jewel, Paula, Ronn, Cobra, Chief, Twilight;
41:15 - The Uniques;
41:30 - Cookie and the Cupcakes, Johnny Janot, The Boogie Kings, Skip Stewart, etc.;
42:30 - "Judy in Disguise" was his biggest hit - Royalties, Publishing
43:40 - Personal info - Born on 7/5/1927 in Shreveport
44:10 - Entrance into the music business;
Comments on the Music Industry;
interview with Eddie Shuler
Interview With Eddie Shuler:
00:00 - South Louisiana sound, Bobby Charles;
02:57 - Researchers come to Louisiana;
03:00 - Mike Leadbetter bringing Cajun Music to England;
08:07 - Introduction to French music;
09:20 - Moving to Louisiana during World War II;
10:20 - Joining a band;
13:00 – Savoy's Club;
14:57 - Hackberry Ramblers;
15:50 – Folkstar Records;
15:58 - Goldband Records;
16:11 – Radio show;
17:25 – All Star Reveliers;
17:44 - Iry Lejeune;
21:09 - Recording Lejeune;
23:29 - "Calcasieu Waltz,” “The Evangeline Special”;
25:10 - Finding distribution;
25:30 - Self distribution;
31:41 - Aldus Roger;
33:30 - Artists recorded;
33:55 - Port Naches Playboys;
36:15 - Country music - difference between Country Western and Western Swing music;
37:34 - Hank Williams - Hillbilly Music and Country Music;
38:34 - Recording Dolly Parton - Robert Owen, "Puppy Love" and "Girl Left Alone”;
45:10 - Freddy Fender;
Interview with Eddie Shuler (cont.)
Interview with Eddie Shuler (cont.):
01:00 - Story about Freddy Fender being arrested in Baton Rouge for possession of Marijuana seeds - was sentenced to 5 years;
02:00 - Talking with the penitentiary about Freddy being let out on work release to record albums;
03:40 - Building a studio inside of the jail food storage warehouse; Backing musicians were other prisoners;
06:00 - Releasing of Freddy's prison recordings;
07:30 - Al Ferrier;
10:00 - Brian Ferrier played at the Louisiana Hayride;
10:25 - Johnny Janot;
12:10 - Gene Terry - "Cindy Lou;"
14:10 - Cookie and the Cupcakes;
14:55 - Yellow Jacket Band;
15:50 - Little Billy Earl - Dolly Parton's uncle;
16:45 - Clarence Garlow;
19:10 - Elton Anderson - "I Love You";
23:40 - Guitar Jr., Katie Webster, Barbara Lynn, ;
25:30 - Katie Webster getting out from her recording contract with J.D. Miller;
26:30 - Producing Phil Phillips' "Sea of Love"
32:50 - Cleveland Crochet
33:05 - Other labels owned by Shuler - Folkstar, Goldband, TEK, Jador, Anla, Tic-Toc;
34:00 - Personal history - Born in Wrightsboro, TX, March 27, 1913;
35:30 - Musical influences - learning to play the saxophone;
37:00 - K-MAR and TEK Publishing;
39:00 - Current projects - Mickey Newman, Cari Gregory,;
40:00 - Studio equipment - Studer 24 Track, DNR Console, Ampex tape recorders;
41:30 - Gene Terry and the Downbeats - "Cindy Lou;"
41:50 - Shuler's sound;
44:30 - More on J. D. Miller;
46:00 - New releases on CD;
Interviews with Eddie Shuler (cont.), Tommy McLain (cont.), Phil Philips
Interview with Eddie Shuler (cont.):
00:00 - South Louisiana sound - Swamp Pop;
01:10 - Missed opportunities - Rod Bernard, Big Bopper, King Karl;
04:00 - Interview with Tommy McLain (cont.);
04:20 - Popularity of Bluegrass in Louisiana;
05:30 - Happy Fats, Clint West
06:00 - Defining Swamp Pop;
09:30 - Elvis Costello's cover of "Sweet Dreams;"
10:20 - Popularity of Swamp Pop in England;
13:00 - Jimmy Donley;
13:30 - "Sweet Dreams" - became popular due to being played in Jukeboxes
18:58 - Interview with Phil Philips;
19:20 - Born in Lake Chalres, March 14, 1931
20:00 - Early experience with music;
21:30 - Selling sheet music;
22:47 - Musical family - Phil's dad wrote music, passed away in the 40s. His mother was a really good singer;
24:40 - Phil plays guitar and sings;
28:00 - Gateway Quartet;
29:00 - First recording project;
29:30 - Writing and recording "Sea of Love;"
31:00 - Getting "Sea of Love" played on the radio - KPLC;
33:00 - Meeting Sam Cooke and his manager
33:45 - Recording "Sea of Love" - recorded by Eddie Shuler for George Khoury's label. Cookie and the Cupcakes were the backup band;
37:40 - Real name has one "L" in Philips, stage name has two - Phillips;
38:30 - Legal problems with George Khoury;
42:30 - KMAR Publishing;
42:45 - Recording for Lee Lavergne at Muscle Shoals;
43:30 - Was a Radio DJ for KJEL in Jennings between hits;
44:30 - "King of the whole blasted world;"
45:30 - Musical influences - Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller;
Interview with Phil Philips (cont.) and Sam Montalbano
Interview with Phil Philips (cont.):
00;00 - Musical influences;
03:00 - Defining Swamp Pop;
05:30 - Racial tensions - playing at white clubs versus black clubs;
11:20 - Preaching and religious beliefs
19:50 - Interview with Sam (S.J.) Montalbano;
20:20 - Name pronunciation and change to Sam Montel for industry purposes;
21:00 - Personal history - Born on February 8, 1937, owned a fruit stand early on;
22:10 - Entry into the music business; 4TA Club
23:15 - Meeting Jimmy Clanton;
26:10 - Playing rock 'n roll;
31:15 - First record on Montel - Lester Robinson;
33:00 - Tour managing for Jimmy Clanton
36:15 - Lester Robinson;
37:45 - John Fred "Shirley;"
38:00 - CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) Teen Dances;
39:45 - Story about Lester Robinson going to Havana, Cuba;
43:00 - Red Stick Publishing Company;
43:30 - Other labels he owned - Michelle, Stephanie, Debbie labels named after his daughters;
44:45 - John Fred changing labels;
45:35 - Use of other studios - Recorded Dale and Grace at La Louisiane
Interview with Sam Montalbano (cont.) and Grace Broussard
Interview with Sam Montalbano (cont.):
00:10 - 1968 - Selling his recording studio
03:15 - Montel Studio became Deep South Studio, only sold physical equipment, not the masters;
04:30 - Floyd Soileau had distribution rights to The Boogie Kings;
05:30 - Johnny Vincent - ACE Records, Cosimo Matassa;
07:45 - Boogie Kings split and lawsuit - mainly worked with Ned Theall's version of the band;
13:44 - Sam spent three years at USL from 1956-1958
14:55 - Sam speaks about Rod Bernard's importance to the LA music scene;
17:30 - Interview with Grace Broussard;
17:45 - Personal history - born in 1939 in Prairieville, LA;
18:15 - Musical family members - brothers and sister both sing, her grandfather played fiddle;
19:45 - Started singing professionally at 16 - Van and Grace;
20:30 - Musical influences - Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Irma Thomas;
22:50 - First recording of "I'm Leaving it up to You" with Jay Chevalier
23:30 - Getting started performing with Dale Houston;
26:20 - "Leavin' it all up to You" becoming a hit - Performing on the Dick Clark Tour;
27:50 - Backing group - Junior Hebert on bass, Kenny Gill on Guitar, Dale Houston on piano, she says she can't remember everyone;
29:35 - Grace says that her and Dale never got along well. He didn't show up for a performance in New York and she had to perform herself;
31:50 - Shane asks who wrote "Stop and Think it Over" - Jay Graffanino or Jay Randall;
33:50 - Broven's term "Swamp Pop." Grace said they used to call the genre Bayou Boogie;
36:15 - Zydeco music
39:00 - Van Broussard tour with Carl Perkins;
39:55 - Awards - Gold Record, Louisiana Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award;
42:40 - Floyd Soileau releasing Van and Grace's songs on a compilation CD; Royalties issues;
Interview with Rod Bernard
01:01 - musicians in the family;
01:30 - first guitar;
03:18 - broadcast from the feed store;
05:31 - radio show;
07:05 - DJ;
09:22 - slot machines;
10:34 - The Twisters;
12:45 - recording with Floyd Soileau;
13:59 - "This Should go on Forever";
16:51 - leasing the song to Chess Records;
17:40 - a hit song;
18:21 - promotional tour;
18:59 - American Bandstand controversy;
21:29 - on the road;
22:24 - Bill Hall & contract with Mercury;
24:36 - collaborations;
27:28 - second hit;
29:17 - King Karl;
30:35 - payola;
33:52 - recording with Jake Graffagnino;
36:30 - south Louisiana songs/sound;
40:08 - "Sometimes" & "Colinda";
41:15 - Marines;
44:06 - "Colinda";
46:17 - Nashville sound
Interview with Rod Bernard (cont.) and Roy Perkins
Interview with Rod Bernard (cont.):
00:10 - Rod says he wishes he would've stayed performing Country Music in the 50s;
01:45 - Leaving Mercury Records;
03:30 - The Shondells - Rod was working with Skip Stewart in the early 60s at KVOL and decided to start the band with Warren Storm;
04:10 - The Shondells started playing Saturday nights at the Southern Club; Talks about other local gigs they'd play;
06:20 - Country Music comeback - Rod mentions loving George Jones, Merle Haggard, Elvis, Tom Jones;
07:10 - Going to Graceland;
11:00 - Trading tapes with George Cline;
12:00 - Rod met Hank Williams when he played at the Opelousas High School gymnasium - got autographs from the band;
14:00 - Rod saw a doctor giving Hank shots during the show - didn't realize at the time that they were drugs;
15:50 - Rod tells a story about playing Chuck Berry's guitar and took his guitar pick;
16:20 - Performing with Jerry Lee Lewis in Corpus Christi, TX;
18:10 - Jerry Lee's band used Rod's band's instruments for a show in California without their permission. Kenny "Gill" Guillot didn't want anyone to touch his guitar, Jerry Lee wanted to fight him after the show;
20:20 - Rod says he and Jerry Lee became friends but once he started having drug issues, they became distant;
21:10 - Shows with James Brown in California;
21:55 - Tour with Frankie Avalon;
29:15 - Jerry Lee's advice - crooks in the record business;
30:50 - Rod's version of "Colinda;"
34:40 - Arbee Records;
35:20 - Swamp Pop Term;
37:05 - Interview with Roy Perkins:
37:10 - Shane talking about his thesis work, interview recording issues;
38:20 - Started playing piano at 7 years old. Early musical influences were old blues musicians;
38:50 - A family friend would sell them old records out of jukeboxes for cheap;
39:50 - Boogie woogie style - He loved the piano parts and started playing his grandmother's piano by ear;
40:40 - Born April 26 1935;
41:30 - Private Cecil Gant, Tommy Dorsey;
43:25 - Buying old rhythm and blues records in New Orleans;
44:00 - "Lordy Miss Claudie;" Fats Domino's piano part on that recording inspired Roy;
Interview with Roy Perkins (cont.) and Carol Rachou
Interview with Roy Perkins (cont.):
00:20 - "You are on my Mind;" - Recorded at Channel 2 TV Studio in New Orleans, Mel Mallory;
01:00 - "Jack the Cat" - Disc Jockey in New Orleans was shocked that Roy was white when they met;
03:50 - Jazz at the Music Mart;
05:30 - Bobby Page and the Riff Raffs, ;
08:00 - "Hearts of Stone;"
10:00 - Their version of "Jolie Blonde" on Teardrop;
13:20 - Family history - His mother was Acadian and Irish;
16:00 - Collecting records
18:15 - "Here I Am"/"You're Gone;" Backed up by a band called The Spiders - recorded in New Orleans;
20:20 - Recording at Cosimo Matassa's studio;
23:00 - Louis Jordan "Saturday Night Fish Fry;"
24:00 - Recording for Ram Records;
26:30 - Songs recorded for Carol Rachou;
28:05 - Session work for J. D. Miller - Warren Storm "Prisoner Song," Skip Stewart;
30:30 - Oilfield work in the middle east;
31:55 - Recording for Huey Meaux;
32:30 - Joining The Swing Kings - played piano and bass for them; Discussion about the Boogie Kings split;
34:35 - Boogie Kings - "Southland;"
36:20 - He always had a day job, was only a weekend muscian - worked in drafting;
37:30 - Working in the oil field; Talks about a platform explosion;
41:30 - Nickname - The Boogie Boy;
41:40 - Mercury records, Eddie Shular, Goldband Studio;
45:45 - Shelby Singelton;
Interview with Roy Perkins and Carol Rachou
Interview with Roy Perkins (cont.):
00:00 - "The Mystical Musician;"
01:30 - Preaching; religious beliefs;
07:00 - Maturing as a writer and musician, writing methods;
12:30 - Defining Swamp Pop - Doesn't care for the term, says it's more an offshoot of Rhythm and Blues;
14:50 - Family music history - no other family members play music. Talks about his grandmother's piano;
18:00 - Describing piano triplets - Fats Domino started it;
20:00 - Always considered himself more of a blues musician, says he didn't like Elvis and The Beatles intitially. Eventually got into them with Sgt. Peppers album;
21:45 - Beatles "Oh Darlin" - Has a swamp pop feel;
23:50 - Bobby Charles - people considered him a pest early on;
27:25 - Interview with Carol Rachou:
27:35 - Personal history - Born in New Orleans Dec 27, 1932;
28:05 - Moved to New Iberia when his father started working for his uncle in the oilfield trucking business, stayed there for 2 years;
29:00 - Moved to Lafayette in 1948, went to Lafayette High School;
29:50 - Attended SLI for a couple of years, but quit to open his store in 1954;
31:00 - Had a band called The Swingsters - played popular music;
33:35 - Went into music retail business in 54 - Music Mart - sold records, TVs, radios and stereos;
35:45 - First recordings made at his music store, didn't yet have the studio; The current La Louisiane Studio building was a grocery store at the time;
37:00 - Eddy "Raven" Futch worked for Carol at the retail store and studio for 10 years;
38:10 - Discussion about Eddy's stage name, his early career, and his personality;
40:30 - Closed the retail business and opened La Louisiane studio when Eddy went to Nashville in 1958;
43:00 - Jazz at the Music Mart / Jazzmar labels - Bobby Webb
Interview with Carol Rachou (cont.)
Interview with Carol Rachou (cont.):
00:30 - Carol tells a story about seeing Shane as a newborn baby;
03:30 - Drug addiction and alcoholism, prescription medication;
05:30 - More discussion about musicians doing drugs and drinking;
08:30 - Carol talks about his use of prescription drugs;
10:25 - Carol talks about his time playing gigs - mainly played sax and trumpet;
11:20 - One son, Carol Jr. plays trumpet;
13:00 - La Louisiane label - Started in 1959. "Sud de la Louisiane" was the first song they released. That's where the label name came from;
14:30 - Carol says he does speak French;
15:50 - Cajun artists recorded - Nathan Abshire, Vin Bruce, Aldus Roger, etc;
17:00 - Mel Mallory, Roy Perkins
19:00 - Talking about different people who recorded in the studio;
24:20 - Arbee Label - Started with Rod Bernard after the Shondells broke up;
28:50 - Shondells recording sessions - Carol talks about how he'd set up the studio to optimize sound;
31:00 - "Etouffée;"
31:40 - Dale and Grace - Group history and discussion about "I'm Leaving it up to You;"
39:50 - John Fred and the Playboys "Judy in Disguise;"
40:30 - Bobby Charles;
42:30 - Success of "I'm Leaving it up to You;"
43:40 - "Stop and Think it Over" Discussing who wrote it. Carol says Jay Randall wrote it;
44:35 - Lil Bob and the Lollipops; Discussing the squeaky kick drum pedal in Bob's recording;
Interview with Carol Rachou and David Rachou
00:00 - Talking more about the squeak on Lil Bob's record;
02:20 - The Boogie Kings / Swing Kings / Clint West;
05:00 - Jewell and the Rubies - "Kidnapper." They were a high school class with their teacher. Session info and story about how the song became a national hit;
12:10 - Jimmy C. Newman - "Lâche pas la patate," written by Pee Wee Trahan;
17:50 - Three gold records recorded at La Louisiane - Dale and Grace, Jimmy C. Newman, Bud Fletcher;
19:50 - Aldus Roger;
22:10 - Blackie Forestier;
24:00 - Future plans for the studio and label;
32:00 - Releasing albums for unknown vs. established acts;
36:00 - Louisiana music on the international scene;
38:00 - Warren Storm and Skip Stewart - "Etoufée;
40:00 - Safety copies
41:00 - Jay Graffanino - Shane tells a story about some of Rod Bernards recordings - Masters were lost, he found copies on 45 in a scrapbook;
Interview with Guitar Gable and Oran "Doc Guidry
Interview with Guitar Gable;
00:10 - Background information - Born August 17, 1937;
01:00 - Was playing in clubs by the time he was 16 years old - Gypsy T Room in Abbeville;
02:00 - Musicians in the family - His dad played "French Music / LaLa Music" accordion and harmonica;
03:15 - His dad would play house dances with just accordion and rubboard;
04:00 - Taught himself to play guitar when he was 12. His brother also played, but stuck to more of a blues style;
05:50 - His first recording; "Congo Mambo" - Tried working with Eddie Shuler, didn't work. So on their way back home, stopped by J.D. Milller's in Crowley;
08:30 - Bernard Jolivette;
09:25 - Says he could sing well on the bandstand but not in the studio;
10:45 - Started learning on a cheap acoustic guitar, then got a Fender. Also played on a Gretsch for a while;
12:30 - Favorite musicians - B.B. King, Earl King, Fats Domino, Guitar Slim;
13:00 - Artists he worked with - Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo, Skinny Domino, Warren Storm, Bobby Charles, Classie Ballou;
16:00 - Retiring from music after injuring his back and neck in a car accident;
16:30 - Does TV repair work;
17:15 - Last recording - session with Lynn August;
17:30 - The New Lollipops; Camille Bob;
18:15 - Gigs and Touring;
19:30 - Didn't use any special guitar tunings. Just used standard tuning;
21:00 - Other equipment used, didn't care for the tone of his Gretsch;
21:40 - Problems with J. D. Miller - Claiming credit for songs he didn't write;
24:00 - "This Should Go On Forever;" Miller has half writers credit. Gable says the only writing he did was correcting a word or two, here and there;
25:00 - Doesn't make any money or residuals from his recordings;
26:30 - Impersonators;
27:40 - Story about Miller bailing Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo out of jail. He made them record tracks for him in return;
28:40 - Story about a song being stolen from Rod Bernard "Pardon Mr. Gordon;"
31:40 - Racism - Needing escorts, using back doors, stories about issues in Henderson and Catahoula;
33:45 - Problems that Cookie had at Hick's Wagon Wheel Club;
34:15 - One of Lil Bob's musicians got arrested at the Jungle Club;
35:20 - Swamp pop/rhythm and blues - Doesn't consider his music "Swamp Pop;"
37:20 - "Colinda;" Gable says it's a really old song and talks about a few other old French songs;
38:45 - Clifton Chenier, says they played together a few times;
41:10 - Gabriel Jr. - Plays guitar with Lil Bob, Warren Caesar;
Interview with Oran "Doc" Guidry:
42:15 - Background information - Born in April 28, 1918;
43:15 - Musicians in the family - His dad played the fiddle;
44:10 - Ray Guidry is Doc's first cousin;
44:30 - Story about learning to play the fiddle - Was 12 years old;
Interview with Oran "Doc" Guidry
00:00 - Learning to play the fiddle - Used his dad's old Maggini fiddle. Doc says he'd practice in secret because his brother would get mad;
01:50 - Started gigging with Joe Fabacher and the Jolly Boys of Lafayette when he was 14;
03:15 - Lester Hoffpauir - Accordion player her played with - couldn't speak French, so he wouldn't sing. But was a wonderful player;
05:25 - Larry Brasso;
05:45 - Story about how Doc joined up with Happy Fats and the Rayne-Bo Ramblers
08:00 - Most gigs were dancehalls and in houses;
09:10 - Chaperones at dances;
10:25 - Hector Stutes - steel guitarist
11:35 - Amplification - Used a Johnson motor;
13:35 - Radio show with Happy Fats - Late 30s, Saturday mornings on KROF
14:20 - Doc says he'd play 9 timers per week, lists his schedule;
17:40 - Doc's group after leaving Happy Fats - Sons of Acadians. Happy named the band;
19:20 - First record Doc made - Dallas, TX with Joe Fabacher for Decca;
20:00 - Recording process in those days. Recording company would rent a hotel room and set up the equipment;
21:30 - They were paid up front to record, No royalties;
22:00 - Doc's brother played guitar - sold all of his instruments when he quit playing music;
23:00 - Recorded for J.D. Miller on the Fais do do label. "Never collected a dime;"
24:25 - Recording at Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans for J.D. Miller;
25:45 - Doc sings a line of "La cravate;"
27:15 - "Chère Chèrie;" - Song Doc wrote and recorded. Master tape was burned in a fire;
28:45 - Decca sending Doc English tunes to translate into French;
29:45 - Recorded at the Rice Hotel in Houston;
30:10 - Meeting Jimmie Davis in Carencro when he was running for governor. Jimmy Domengeaux introduced them;
32:15 - Recording "Colinda" in Nashville at Acuff Rose with Jimmie Davis, Discussing touring with him while on the campaign trail;
36:45 - "Big Mamou;"
39:30 - Link Davis;
41:30 - Courtableu Inn - Port Barre;
43:00 - "Little Fat Man" performed in half English, half French;
45:30 - Louisiana Hayride, Jimmy C. Newman
Interview with Oran "Doc" Guidry (cont.)
00:00 - Doc saw Hank Williams perform in a high school gym - as part of Dudley LeBlanc's Hadacol tour;
01:20 - Rod Bernard saw him perform at the Yambilee Festival, mentions they could tell he was inebriated;
03:00 - Doc claims "Jambalaya" was written by Moon Mullican, Papa Cairo wrote the melody as Grand Texas;
04:45 - Studio work with Bill Houtto, Vin Bruce, Happy Fats
06:15 - Recordings made at La Louisiane - solo work, Warren Storm;
07:50 - Carol Rachou would play t-fer with bands to have an excuse to go on the road
08:45 - Discussing his performances in state department tours in Tokyo, Burma, India, Pakistan, Southeast Asia
13:40 - Buck White Band;
16:15 - Doc's wife introduces herself;
16:50 - More discussion on travels with Doc;
19:30 - Visiting the Taj Mahal;
20:20 - Story about how Happy Fats gave "Doc" his nickname;
23:30 - Discussing different versions of "Colinda;"
30:30 - Happy Fats' take on "Colinda;"
31:30 - False credit for "Colinda;"
35:40 - "Madame Young" - Dennis McGee tune, similar to Colinda's melody;
39:30 - La Louisiane re-releasing songs on c.d.;
42:30 - David Rachou taking over the La Louisiane Studio;
43:40 - Discussing Doc's health ailments
Interview with Oran "Doc" Guidry (cont.)
00:05 - Discussing Doc's health ailments with his wife;
01:45 - Doc mentions that he hasn't played his fiddle since his health started declining;
03:00 - Worked for the state starting in 1960 working with the Alcoholic Beverage Control;
03:50 - Talking about his dad's old fiddle - it was lost when someone was working on it;
06:00 - Harold Romero
07:00 - His mother gave him a fiddle from E.T. Root and Sons in Chicago - it was on display at the Chicago World's Fair
11:55 - His mom played the fiddle - she taught him "Over the Waves;"
13:30 - Interview with Pete Bergeron - talking about his Cajun musician project;
Interview with Oscar Bernard
01:00 - Born July 11, 1943,
01:15 - Rod started taking guitar lessons from their neighbor, an Army recruiter, Oscar would pick the guitar up occasionally and play on it;
03:00 - Talking about the house he grew up in. Parents told Rod that if he picked enough pecans and saved money, he could get a guitar
04:30 - Their parents eventually got a better guitar when he showed enough interest and talent;
04:50 - Poony Tatman helped them figure out what guitar to buy;
07:00 - Rod's first gig - Blue Room at a feed store;
08:50 - Oscar never toured with Rod, The farthest he went for a gig in Baton Rouge;
10:00 - Moving to Winnie, TX, would play at school talent shows;
10:30 - Huey Meaux was their barber in Winnie. At that point, Huey wasn't in the music business;
11:15 - More about the family's moves back to LA and then back to TX;
12:45 - Learning how to play the upright bass when he was in the 8th grade;
14:10 - Formation of The Twisters - Oscar eventually joined on bass, he was the youngest member;
16:00 - First gig with them was at the community center in Egan;
18:00 - Mischievous things they'd do - Bought some cherry bomb fireworks and would put them into a mailbox;
20:30 - Story about leaving Church Point, running late for a gig. Drove around in a circle and ended up back in Church Point;
22:30 - Skip Stuart; The Original Boogie Kings; The Flames;
26:20 - Auditioning for a job at the Original Pat's in Henderson; Pat didn't like the trombone in their band;
27:00 - Oscar had a knack for leaning to play instruments quickly;
29:00 - High School Band - Learned to play French horn, baritone, coronet;
33:45 - Local clubs;
34:10 - Didn't have a television growing up, listened to radio and records often;
35:00 - Discussing other family member's involvement in music;
37:45 - Building speaker cabinets; Bixby Tailpiece; Speaker enclosures;
40:00 - Gear used for gigs / driving to gigs;
Interviews with Oscar Bernard (cont.) and Bernard "King Karl" Jolivette
00:00 - Discussion on musical scales and theory;
04:30 - guitar equation - explaining how a string vibrates and makes a tone;
07:15 - Shondells guitar solos;
09:10 - Played guitar on one of Eddy Raven's records;
11:00 - Discussing good guitarists, says there are so many great, unknown musicians;
12:10 - modern music;
13:45 - Oscar says that Rod was a great band leader;
16:30 - Musical influences - Hank Williams,;
18:00 - Worked for Boeing;
20:00 - Astronaut pens
22:55 - Interview with Bernard "King Karl" Jolivette joined by Ricky Rees
23:20 - Background - Born December 22, 1931, Learned from his uncle, John Abes - played country and blues music;
26:00 - First band when he was 13 years old, didn't have a band name;
27:00 - Played guitar with accordionist Howard Broussard;
27:20 - Moved to Beaumont in 1949, played some gigs with Lloyd Price;
28:50 - Served at Fort Hood for two years;
29:20 - Met Guitar Gable while working at the sweet potato kiln in Sunset;
31:00 - Putting together a band - Guitar Gable and the Musical Kings Featuring King Karl;
35:30 - Writing songs; "Life Problems;"
35:40 - Went to Eddie Shuler in Lake Charles to record the song, he wasn't there, so they went to Crowley and recorded for J.D. Miller;
37:30 - copywriting songs;
38:20 - "Irene;"
38:45 - Musical influences - Lloyd Price;
40:30 - Learning how to play music - first started on harmonica. Played sax, traded it for a guitar;
41:45 - Songs he wrote - "Irene," "Life Problems," "This Should Go On Forever," "Congo Mambo;"
42:15 - Clarence "Jockey" Etienne;
43:40 - Touring - Michigan Blues Festival;
45:00 - White/black sound - Warren Storm's style
Interviews with Bernard "King Karl" Jolivette and Elwood "Bobby Page" Dugas
Interview with King Karl (cont.):
00:10 - Playing white clubs;
01:00 - "This Should Go On Forever;"
01:45 - Discussing Rod Bernard's version of the song. After it became successful, Bernard says J.D. Miller released a poor recording (maybe a practice tape) of King Karl singing it;
04:00 - Writing songs with Rod Bernard;
05:45 - Gigs they played - Clubs, Jamborees,
08:25 - Recording with Ernie Young in Nashville - Nesco Label
09:15 - Stage name "King Karl." Used the name Chuck Brown when recording with Young so that they wouldn't have to deal with Miller;
12:00 - Played gigs with Rockin' Bob, Rosco Chenier, C.D. and the Bluerunners;
14:30 - Backed Clifton Chenier for a couple of gigs;
14:55 - Other favorites - Otis Redding, B.B. King, ;
15:45 - Defining the term "Swamp Pop;" He considers himself Rhythm and Blues, not Swamp Pop;
17:00 - Rock 'n' roll vs. rhythm and blues;
18:15 - Playing white clubs - Bernard says he never had much trouble, had one issue in Mamou;
21:00 - J.D. Miller;
27:00 - Interview with Bobby Page:
27:15 - Background - Born in Rayne in December 19, 1938;
27:40 - Early experiences in music - First person to play music in his family. Influenced by Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino;
28:40 - High school band - played trombone;
29:15 - Started the Riff Raffs in 1956;
30:25 - Original members of Riff Raffs - Julian Savoy, V.J. Boulet, Howard Ratliff, Bessyl Duhon, Albert Nugent, George Hanks, R.L. Duhon;
31:30 - "Loneliness;"
33:00 - Band history, name, members coming and going;
33:30 - Typical weeks for the band, clubs and cities played;
34:40 - Hip et Taieau; Name explanation - "Calling the dog."
36:00 - Explaining how he got the nickname "Booga;"
37:00 - Bobby B and the Rockers (Bobby Bourque);
40:00 - Potential for reissuing some of the old recordings;
40:30 - Myra Smith;
42:20 - Discussing the term "swamp pop;"
trombone;
Interview with Elwood "Bobby Page" Dugas (cont.) and Roland Robin
Interview with Bobby Page (cont.):
00:00 - Explaining the name Riff Raffs / Rift Raffs ;
00:40 - Changing name to Bobby Page - Combination of Bobby Charles and Patti Page;
02:15 - Plumbing work - Did this during the daytime and music at night;
03:20 - Discussing RAM Records, Myra Smith;
04:45 - Recorded in Shreveport, New Orleans, Saint Martinville. Dego Redlich, Carol Rachou, J.D. Miller, Bill Hall;
06:00 - Recorded "Hip et Taieau" at J.D. Miller's studio;
07:00 - More about Myra Smith;
09:45 - He speaks French
11:00 - Discussing Swamp Pop, rock 'n' roll vs. rhythm and blues;
12:30 - First paying job - Lloyd's Bar in Rayne in 1956;
14:30 - Drug use within the scene;
20:25 - Interview with Roland Robin:
21:35 - Background - Born June 13, 1936 in Duson, Moved to Lafayette at 13 and attended Cathedral High. Attended Tulane from 1954-58;
22:25 - Graduated from Northeastern in 1963, is a registered pharmacist;
23:15 - Getting into the music business - Had written and recorded some songs at J.D. Miller's for RAM;
25:00 - Musical tastes - Rhythm and Blues, Rockabilly;
26:00 - There was a lack of booking agents in Monroe during the time he was in school, so he started an agency;
28:30 - Worked a 1 year apprenticeship while in school while running his agency;
29:10 - Forming N-joy records - Noticed that artists didn't make much money, decided to take the next step and form the label;
29:50 - Bands signed - John Fred, Duayne Yates,;
31:15 - Studios used - Cosimo's, La Louisiane, Floyd Soileau - Used record press in Memphis;
33:50 - New CD compilations;
34:00 - J.D. Miller and Floyd Soileau;
38:00 - Groups managed/produced;
38:30 - John Fred and the Playboys - "Boogie Children;"
41:20 - Stan Lewis was one of Roland's distributors, Floyd Soileau, also. Never set up his own distribution network;
42:55 - After college - ended up owning a pharmacy, continued running his label and agency;
43:40 - Quitting the music business;
Interviews with Roland Robin (cont.) and Gene Terry
Interview with Roland Robin (cont.):
01:00 - Sam Phillips, Sun Records, Holiday Inn Records;
03:30 - Ron Gray - Hannah-Barbara;
05:30 - Regional hits;
08:15 - Diversifying business dealings;
10:00 - Other artists recorded - Dennis Norris, Billy Leadbetter;
12:40 - "Cajun Twist;"
15:40 - Life after the music business - sold his pharmacy in 1969 or 1970, real estate, Restaurants;
20:45 - Paragon Group - Land development business;
24:10 - Ram Records and Myra Smith
26:00 - Star Trek crank call
30:30 - Interview with Gene Terry:
31:00 - Personal info - Terry Gene DeRouen, Born in Lafayette on January 7, 1940, Moved to TX in 1942;
34:20 - Musicians in the family - Father played piano and guitar and his grandfather (Raymond DeRouen) played accordion and fiddle, Uncle (R.C. DeRouen) plays drums;
36:00 - Attended a house dance when he was young
37:00 - Old family violin;
39:30 - Musical offspring - One of his sons was killed in a car wreck in 1983;
41:30 - Influence of Cajun music on his style;
42:20 - Discussing the term "swamp pop;"
Interviews with Gene Terry (cont.), Van Broussard, and Jay Randall
Interview with Gene Terry (cont.):
00:40 - Musical influences - Big Bopper, Fats Domino, Joe Turner, Little Richard;
02:00 - Building a band;
02:30 - Playing the Moulin Rouge;
05:20 - Goldband Records;
06:20 - Used a 9 piece band in 1958;
08:30 - "Cindy Lou;" - studio setup;
11:15 - Phil Phillips - "Sea of Love;"
13:00 - Downbeat Band;
13:50 - "Teardrops In My Eyes;"
16:00 - Other work done at Goldband that was never released;
18:15 - Was a police officer in the late 60s, Currently works at DuPont plant;
19:05 - Janice Joplin tribute show;
21:40 - Interview with Van Broussard:
21:55 - Background - March 29, 1937 in Prairieville;
22:15 - Musicians in the family - Grandfather played violin, played with Hank Williams, Sr. on the Louisiana Hayride, sister is Grace Broussard;
24:00 - Musical influences - B.B. King, Cookie and the Cupcakes, Joe Turner;
26:40 - Covered "Lord, I Need Somebody Bad," Van says he released that song before Warren Storm;
27:40 - "Feed the Flame" Came out in 1958, was one of his hits;
29:45 - James Rogers - Owned Bayou Boogie Label;
30:45 - Defining swamp pop / Bayou Boogie;
32:00 - Gigs;
35:00 - "Jambalaya;"
36:20 - Speaking French;
37:45 - Johnnie Allan's book;
38:50 - Jimmy Donley;
Interview with Jay Randall:
40:00 - Background - Born February 11, 1940 in Opelousas, no family members play music;
40:45 - Learning guitar, by late 50s, he was sitting in with bands at the Southern Club and the Teen Center in Opelousas;
41:45 - The Electras;
42:00 - The Epics;
43:00 - "Stop and Think It Over" Jay says he wrote it, not Graffanino, but he never got any credit or payment;
43:40 - Sat in with the Boogie Kings, Cookie and the Cupcakes, Johnny Rivers;
45:25 - Musical influences - Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Fats Domino;
Interview with Dale Houston
00:20 - Background - Born in Seminary, MS in 1940, no relatives played music;
01:25 - Noticed he was musically inclined when he was 12 years old - played in church, father was a preacher;
03:30 - Instruments played - Piano, drums, guitar, bass;
04:20 - Moved to Baton Rouge at age 13 - His father got a job with Sears;
05:00 - Musical influences - Rod Bernard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Elvis Presley also listened to alot of Gospel music;
07:45 - Meeting Jimmy Clanton - was around 1954, they met through music, Dale played some gigs with him;
12:00 - Johnny Rivers , Dale and the Comics;
13:25 - "Lonely Man" Recorded at Cosimo's for Sam Montalbano;
14:00 - John Fred;
15:20 - Sam "S.J." Montalbano - had a music/dance TV show in Baton Rouge in addition to his label and management;
16:45 - Defining "Swamp Pop;"
21:15 - Jimmy Donley, Joe Barry;
22:30 - Dale says he felt Cajun even though he was born in Mississippi;
24:25 - Moved to Texas, formed The El Paso Comics;
25:40 - Moved back to Ferriday, in North Louisiana. Learned some piano with Jerry Lee Lewis, met in the late 50s;
29:30 - Moved back to Baton Rouge, met Grave Broussard in 1963;
30:15 - Odd Jobs - worked construction, played music on nights and weekends, also did iron work;
31:35 - Grace Broussard - Met Grace Broussard through Montel at La Louisiane in Lafayette;
33:20 - Recording "I'm Leaving it up to You" using 30 or 40 minutes of spare studio time; There was no plan for her to record, she was only at the studio as a "date";
37:40 - Huey Meaux's involvment in "I'm Leaving it up to You"; (Tape is cut off);
38:10 - "Stop and Think it Over" went to number 5 on the national charts;
40:30 - "Leaving it up to You" writers - Don Harris and Dewey Terry;
41:30 - rock 'n' roll influences; - Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Rod Bernard, Joe Barry, etc;
42:00 - duo influences - The Everly Brothers;
44:20 - Jay Chevalier;
Interviews with Gene Terry (cont.), Van Broussard, and Jay Randall
00:10 - Roy Perkins - session bassist at La Louisiane;
01:00 - "Stop and Think it Over" - recorded at Cosimo Matassa's in New Orleans, never recorded at La Louisiane again;
02:45 - Montel called while they were in Las Vegas when they got a call that "I'm Leaving it up to You" was released and became a hit. Went to perform on Dick Clark's American Bandstand;
03:50 - Dick Clark Tour;
04:10 - They were on tour in Dallas, TX the same day as the Kennedy assassination - saw him in the motorcade; recollects when they heard he had been killed;
05:50 - Dale and Grace after the hit - cut more songs in B.R., went on the road in the midwest
06:50 - esophagus ruptured in 1964 - was hospitalized and in a coma for about 3 weeks;
11:30 - singing again after the injury;
13:00 - He thinks the injury and the following time for recovery did damage to their careers;
13:40 - "Loneliest Night of the Week" released in 1965. Dale said he didn't think there was any change in his voice
14:15 - Another national tour;
14:55 - Back to Baton Rouge - They recorded a few more tunes that weren't successful;
15:15 - The end of Dale and Grace in 1967 - Mutual, peaceful break-up, both wanted to go out on their own
16:30 - Moved to and worked in Atlanta, Georgia at a club called Chicken Haven, then went to Panama City, Florida;
19:00 - Moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to work with Bill Burnett;
19:35 -"Nobody Cares if a Fool Wants to Cry" and "Day by Day";
21:00 - No longer has a day job, on disability - Was injured at a printing company
22:00 - Dale and the Houston Solution; Pat Houston, Dale's wife performs with them;
22:30 - Best country pianist award;
22:40 - Reunion with Grace, Royalties for "I'm Leaving it up to You";
26:00 - Upcoming performances;
29:30 - Relationship with Grace;
31:00 - Philandering in Las Vegas;
31:30 - Discussing Rod Bernard's songs;
34:30 - England contacts;
38:10 - Shane Bernard explains the internet for Dale Houston
Interviews with John Brove
Interview with John Broven - Takes place at Johnnie Allan's house in Lafayette, LA
00:30 - Background - Born in Maidstone, Kent, November 4 1942, Raised in Ponegate;
01:20 - Education - Was a "war baby." Great emphasis was put on education;
03:20 - Career in banking, recently retired allowing him to follow his musical interests;
07:20 - Writing liner notes, two books, editor of Blues Unlimited Magazine;
10:00 - Early interest in music;
11:55 - Mike Leadbetter, record collecting;
13:20 - American artists on British labels;
16:00 - "This Should Go On Forever" release in the UK;
19:15 - Contact with Eddie Shuler - he sent two boxes of Goldband 45s to England - first Cajun music they ever heard in the UK;
20:15 - Cajun Corner - Newspaper articles;
23:30 - Coining the term "swamp pop;"
28:20 - Defining "Swamp Pop" - "Not just slow ballads with triplets;"
30:00 - Dr. John;
31:20 - Popularity of Swamp Pop in England;
34:50 - Beatles "Oh Darling;"
35:30 - Interview with Harry Simoneaux - May 3, 1992:
35:45 - Swamp Pop definition - "Half Domino, half fais do-do;"
37:35 - Dr. John's definition of Swamp Pop, Three chords and triplets;
39:00 - Joe Carl - Harry worked with him, recorded at J.D. Miller's, discusses their influences;
41:00 - One of his albums was called "Swamp Rock" in the early 1980s;
43:00 - Fats Domino's influence; Harry calls him the originator of Swamp Pop;
43:30 - Bobby Charles - Harry says it's difficult to categorize him;
43:55 - Harry was in the "See You Later, Alligator" session - Took them 30 takes to nail it. Recorded two songs in two days at Cosimo Matassa's;
45:40 - Larry Benicewicz's article;