Austin Pitre

Austin Pitre
Austin Pitre
Background information
Birth name	Austin Pitre
Born	(1918-02-23)February 23, 1918
Origin	Ville Platte, Louisiana
Died	April 8, 1981(1981-04-08) (aged 63)
Genres	Cajun
Occupation(s)	Musician, Accordionist
Instruments	Cajun accordion
Labels	Feature Records, Arhoolie Records, Swallow Records
Associated acts	The Evangeline Playboys, The Louisiana Rhythmaires

Austin Pitre (February 23, 1918 - April 8, 1981)^[1] 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.^[2][3]

Family

Pitre's father was Joseph Vige Pitre and his mother was Marie Fontenot. His older brother, Jean Baptiste "Curley" Pitre (June 14, 1906 - December 29, 1978) was a farmer who lived in the Prairie Ronde area. Austin first married Joyce Vidrine from Bayou Chicot, with whom he had the following sons: Aurelie Joseph Pitre, Sr., Harris Pitre, Sr., and Albert Pitre. After divorcing Joyce, Austin married Dorothy Lou Rider from Eunice. They had the following children: James Pitre, Rena, and Mary Pitre. Austin had another son, Austin Ray Pitre, whose mother was Louvine Fontenot.

Music and Career

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.

Death and Legacy

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.^[4]

Pitre's last wife, Dorothy, died March 14, 2014 and is buried next to him in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. She was active in preserving his legacy as well as Cajun music in general. She was a DJ for KEUN for many years, hosted the weekly Rendezvous des Cajuns at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, Louisiana, and also worked at the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Eunice where Austin Pitre's Monarch accordion can be seen.

Discography

• "Chatatinia Waltz" / "Evangeline Playboys Special" (F-1013 Feature Records, 1948) (45-10184, LP 6009 Swallow Records) ^[5]
• "High Point Two Step" / "Redell Waltz" (F-1019 Feature Records, 1948)
• "Manuel Bar Waltz" / "Midway Two-Step" (BM 101, CDCHD 783 Big Mamou Records, 1957). Associated with Milton Molitor.
• "Opelousas Waltz" / "Flum De Faire (Flames Of Hell)" (45-106, LP 6001, CDCHD 783 Swallow Records, 1959)
• "Rainbow Waltz" / "Rene's Special (inst.)" (45-108, CDCHD 783 Swallow Records, 1960)
• "Two Step de Bayou Teche" / "Chinaball Blues" (45-114, LP 6001 Swallow Records, 1960)
• "Two Step A Tante Adele" / "Mamou Blues" (45-117 Swallow Records, 1961)
• "J'ai Coiner A Ta Porte" / "La Valse D'Amour" (45-118 Swallow Records)
• "Don't Shake My Tree" / "Jungle Club Waltz" (45-10146, CH 141 Swallow Records, 1963)
• "New Oakdale Waltz" / "Lakeview Special" (45-10171, CH 141 Swallow Records)
• "La Pauvre Hobo" / "Pretty Rosie Cheeks" (45-10121, Swallow Records)

Compilations

• "Cajun Folk Music: Southern Journey 15" (25015 Prestige/International, 1956-1959)
• "Folksongs Of The Louisiana Acadians Vol. 2 - Various Artists" (LP5015 Arhoolie, 1956-1959)
• "Back To The Bayou: Austin Pitre and The Evangeline Playboys". (SNTF 815 Sonet Records (England), 1979) ^[6]
• "Austin Pitre & The Evangeline Playboys" (LP-6041 Swallow Records, 1981)
• "D. L. Menard / Austin Pitre – The Swallow Recordings" (CDCHD 327 Ace Records, 1991) ^[7]
• "Austin Pitre - Opelousas Waltz" (CD 452 Arhoolie Records, 1997)^[8]
• "Austin Pitre - The Essential Early Cajun Recordings" (SW6211 Swallow Records, 1999) ^[9]

See also

• List of people related to Cajun music
• History of Cajun Music

References