Harrison Fontenot (August 1, 1934 – January 21, 2011) was a Cajun accordion player and builder, best known for his recording of "The Cajun Twist" in 1962.[1][2]

Harrison Fontenot
Harrison Fontenot: Inducted into the Fred's Lounge – KVPI Wall of Fame
Harrison Fontenot: Inducted into the Fred's Lounge – KVPI Wall of Fame
Background information
Born1934 (age 89–90) Died January 21, 2011
GenresCajun
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, accordion player
InstrumentAccordion
LabelsSwallow Records

Born in Point Blue, Louisiana in 1934, Fontenot got his first taste of music at the age of 16, when he regularly practiced on the accordion while his father was at work, listening to the Grand Ole Opry as well as Aldus Roger and Austin Pitre. After forming his band, the Cajun Trio, he recorded songs during the 1960s and 1970s such as "La Cravat", "Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette", "If Teardrops Were Pennies", "I Passed in Front of your Door", "Jealous Heart", and several holiday songs. In 2001, Fontenot was designated a Master Accordion Player and Master Accordion Maker at the Mamou Cajun Music Festival.[3] Fontenot began making accordions under the brand name Imperial.[4]

Discography

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  • Merry Cajun Christmas (LP-SW6036 Swallow Records)[5]
  • 21 Cajun Classics (SW6079 Swallow Records)[6]
  • Cajun Classics: Kings of Cajun at Their Very Best (ACE820 Ace Records 2002) [7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bernard, Shane K., "Swamp pop", Univ. Press of Mississippi, p82.
  2. ^ "Harrison Joseph Fontenot August 1, 1934 - January 22, 2011". Ardoins Funeral Home. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  3. ^ "Harrison Fontenot next inductee into Fred’s Wall of Fame" www.villeplattetoday.com[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Builders Of Cajun Accordions" www400.sos.louisiana.gov Archived July 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ ""Merry Cajun Christmas – various artists (album)" www.floydsrecordshop.com". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  6. ^ ""21 Cajun Classics – various artists" www.floydsrecordshop.com". Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  7. ^ ""Cajun Classics: Kings of Cajun at Their Very Best – various artists" www.floydsrecordshop.com". Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2009.