Clifton Chenier- Rockin' Accordion

Clifton Chenier was born near Opelousas June 25, 1925. He was born to family of sharecroppers and spent much of his youth working in the cotton fields. He received his first accordion as a gift from his father, who was an established accordionist in the local house dance and weekend circuit. Clifton left Opelousas for Lake Charles, where he worked as a truck driver. During his off hours he played and listened to music, working on his own style.

He first recorded in 1954 for Elko label, recording then the earliest examples of zydeco. In 1955 he signed with Specialty Records giving him national exposure and opportunity to tour more. It's hardly surprising that before too long, J.D. Miller should be recording this new strain of music which had recently emerged on his doorstep.

J.D. Miller started his Zynn label in the late 1950's. It was one of the many 45 rpm labels he put out during the late 50's and 60's. The label had a diverse group of artists featuring Rocket Morgan, Terry Clement and Warren Storm, among many.

By 1956, Chenier had left his day job to devote his full-time attention to music, Touring with his band, the Zydeco Ramblers, which included blues guitarist Philip Walker. The following year, Chenier left Specialty and signed with the Chess label in Chicago. Although he toured, along with Etta James, throughout the United States, Chenier's career suffered when the popularity of ethnic and regional music styles began to decline. Although he recorded 13 songs for the Crowley, LA-based Zynn label, between 1958 and 1960, none charted.

Clifton first recorded for Miller's Zynn label in May of 1959. The tracks were recorded at Miller's home in Crowley. The session took place on the patio and was unsuccessful due to Miller's shortage of mikes. He ended up cutting most of the tracks without vocal, intending to over dub Clifton's voice at a later date. Eventually only two records were issued from that session.

The following year Clifton and his band was back in Crowley and there they cut two more titles; Night and Day My Love and Rockin' Accordion, a instrumental. After this session Clifton moved on and was soon recording for Arhoolie, where he gained national attention. 

Resources
Bruce Bastin- Zydeco Blues liner notes.

Terry Clement and the Tune Tones- French Blues

Terry Clement was born May 5, 1934. Growing up, Terry and his brothers (Purvis and Grant) all played musical instruments. Terry grew up idolizing Nathan Abshire and soon took to playing the accordion. Purvis learned the fiddle, while Grant became a great guitar player by the age of 12. They were some of the youngest playing French music and had to work hard finding work playing as the older players held them in contempt.

Their first record was "Diggy Liggy Lo". The song gave the band the boost it needed for better bookings and higher pay. In the late 50's and early 60's, it was tough for Terry and his band. Rock and Roll and Swamp Pop put Cajun French bands out of work. To survive, Terry and his brothers started playing rockabilly for Miller.

By the 1960's J.D. Miller had more than five 45rpm labels. It is rumored that he even had over 100 labels. Jukebox owners wouldn't put on alot of one label on their jukeboxes. Miller, always the entrepreneur; found ways to get the records out there. Terry and his brothers rock and roll sides are lively and upbeat and carried the same energy with them they had on the Cajun French sides. During the early 1960's Terry and his brothers recorded on multiple 45 labels for Miller.


By 1961, Terry Clement's musical hero was also recording for J.D. Miller. Nathan Abshire was recording for Miller's Kajun label at this time. Terry had sides out on Rocko, Zynn and Cajun Classics during this era. Although many details aren't known, we do know in 1961, Terry got to record with Nathan on the Zynn label. They did a upbeat number of Nathan's "French Blues" with Nathan on accordion. Nathan originally recorded "French Blues" with the Rayne Bo Ramblers in 1935 on the Bluebird label.


On the record its Terry Clement and the Tune Tones, featuring Terry, Purvis Clement on fiddle, Nathan Abshire on accordion, Grant Clement on guitar, Linus Simar on steel guitar and Ronnie Goudreaux on drums. Nathan's accordion playing on the song is strong as during this era he was in his prime. The experience must have had a profound effect on Terry and his brothers recording with their musical idol. After Nathan's passing they recorded a tribute album on Miller's revived Kajun label to Nathan. It was recorded in 1984 and is highly recommended.

Resources
Liner notes- Crowley Two Step by Bruce Bastin
Lyle Ferbrache- Acadian All Star Special
Wade Falcon- Early Cajun Music blog