Pee Wee Broussard- "Cankton Waltz"

                                                                             

Pee Wee Broussard recalled at 6 or 7 years, walking across the field to listen to Black Alleman play his accordion. He would sit close and listen to the songs they played and take it in to learn.

Later on, when he worked the fields, he would take the accordion with him. Whenever the mule needed a break, he would practice on it. While the mule didn't like the sound of the accordion, Pee eventually learned "Fee Fee Poncheaux" as his first song.

He formed a band with his brothers playing dances for two years. They stopped playing French music in 1938, when country and western took over. Later on, Pee Wee started playing accordion again and formed The Melody Boys.

In 1950, Pee Wee had signed a contract with Goldstar Records. After Harry Choates had died, they seemed to want someone to replace him. Sadly, Pee Wee got his hand cut when he attempted to stop a knife fight. After a dance, the band was headed back home in the car and a band member tried to cut the drummers neck. Pee Wee tried to stop him and grabbed the knife and the knife went through his hand.

Pee Wee and his band went on to record for J.D. Miller's Feature label from 1952-1953. But Miller starting focusing on country and blues as Cajun music was fading away again.

In 1958, he recorded for the Stagg's label in Lafayette. There he recorded only one record for the label with one side being "Cankton Waltz". Pee Wee recalls:

"Everybody knew that I had a F accordion before I recorded "Cankton Waltz". I'm the first man that recorded it in F. It's pretty, but you've got to have the back group, because you can't use your bass on your accordion. Oh, we had a lot of fun playing."

It was the flipside that Pee Wee almost got sued for. The A side to the Stagg's record was "French Accordion Mambo". Pee recalls that another singer from Opelousas had recorded a "Mambo" song on Staggs as well. The singer threatened to sue Pee Wee over his recording; Pee Wee told him to go ahead if he thought he would get anything.

                                     

Session info

Acdn, remainder unknown

Possibly Lafayette LA: 1958

J8OW 4578 Cankton waltz (instrumental) Stagg’s 101

Resources:

Broven-South to Louisiana

Early Cajun Music Blog

Ann Savoy-Cajun Music Vol 2

photos of Pee Wee- Cajun Music Vol 2