Austin Pitre And The Evangeline Playboys

Austin Pitre February 23 1918 - April 8 1981 Was Born In Ville Platte Louisiana. A Cajun Music Pioneer Pitre Claimed To Be The First Musician To Play The Accordion Standing Up Rather Than Sitting Down. Along With His Band The Evangeline Playboys Pitre Recorded Cajun Dancehall Hits Such As The Opelousas Waltz.
Pitre Was The Front Man For "Austin Pitre & The Evangline Playboys" For Many Years And Played Dance Halls Around The South Louisiana Area. His Unique Style Of Playing Included Standing Up To Play The Accordion Without The Aid Of A Shoulder Strap As Well As Playing The Accordion Behind His Head And Between His Legs. Besides Being A Talented Musician Pitre Was Also A Highly Regarded Mechanic And Had His Own Automotive Repair Shop Near Ville Platte Louisiana.
Pitre Died On April 8 1981 At The Age Of 63. He Is Buried In The Mt. Calvary Cemetery Located On Highway 190 Just East Of Eunice Louisiana. In 1997 Pitre Was Posthumously Inducted Into The Cajun French Music Association 's Hall Of Fame. That Same Year Arhoolie Released The CD "Austin Pitre & His Evangeline Playboys - Opelousas Waltz" Which Was A Remaster Of Recordings That PItre Had Made In 1971. Pitre's Last Wife Dorothy Survived Him And Is Active In Preserving His Legacy As Well As Cajun Music In General. She Has Hosted The Weekly Rendezvous Des Cajuns At The Liberty Theater In Eunice Louisiana And Has Also Worked At The Cajun Music Hall Of Fame And Museum In Eunice Where Austin Pitre's Monarch Accordion Can Be Seen. read less