Harrison Fontenot next inductee into Fred’s Wall of Fame
By: MICHAEL BORDELON
News Editor
Fred’s Lounge will honor yet another Cajun Music Legend, Harrison Fontenot, Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. during a KVPI broadcast. Fontenot will be inducted into Fred’s famous Wall of Fame.
Fontenot was born in Point Blue in 1934 to Saby and Marie Fontenot. He got his first taste of music at the age of 16, when his father purchased an accordion for himself, but eventually quit trying to learn it. During that time, Fontenot was forbidden from touching his father’s accordion, but unknown to his father, he regularly practiced on the accordion while his father was at work. Once his father decided against playing the instrument, he gave it to Fontenot and was amazed when his son was able to play songs immediately.
It was during his early years Fontenot recalled listening to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights on a battery-powered radio in their home. His musical idols were Aldus Roger and Austin Pitre.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that Fontenot’s musical career began. He was discovered at a supper by a local physician, who was impressed with the young man’s talent and musical abilities. Fontenot also impressed Floyd Soileau, who owned Swallow Records.
After forming his band, the Cajun Trio, he recorded many popular records during the 60s and 70s. Some of these include, “La Cravat,” “Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette,” “If Teardrops Were Pennies,” “I Passed in Front of your Door,” “Jealous Heart,” and several holiday songs. The Cajun Trio consisted of Fontenot on accordion and vocals, Allen West on guitar and Clint West on drums. Eventually, the band was expanded and an additional member was added, Roy Fontenot on the fiddle. The Cajun Trio became known as the Cajun Trio Plus One. They performed at Snook’s Lounge, Fred’s Lounge and Hick’s Wagon Wheel Club. The band traveled far and wide, performing in Arkansas, Brook Haven and even the World’s Fair in New Orleans in the early 80s.
Once he mastered playing the accordion, Fontenot turned to making them. He learned how to build accordions from Sidney Brown and he has constructed hundreds under the brand name Imperial. By his estimate, he said it takes approximately 40 hours of work to build an accordion from scratch.
Music was not all for Fontenot. He was a hard worker and spent many years working at the paper mill in Elizabeth. He was also introduced to flying by Ramson Vidrine, who interested him in flying a crop duster. He was sent to school in Opelousas and became certified. He was a crop duster for approximately 40 years. When Vidrine was elected as a state senator, Fontenot was hired as his own personal pilot and Fontenot flew the senator all over the state.
Fontenot also decided to pass on his knowledge of accordions to Cecil Fontenot at Floyd’s Record Shop. “He seems to enjoy making them,” Fontenot said.
In 2001, after all his accomplishments, Fontenot was designated a Master Accordion Player and Master Accordion Maker at the Mamou Cajun Music Festival.
When he learned about his upcoming honor at Fred’s Lounge, Fontenot thought they were kidding. “I told them they must be kidding,” he said. “I didn’t believe they had chosen me.”
Fontenot will join over 40 other Cajun Music legends on Fred’s Wall of Fame. The public is invited to attend the event, and Don Fontenot and Les Amies de la Louisiana will help Harrison Fontenot play some of his famous songs.