finetune artist: Canray Fontenot

b. 16 October 1922, Basille, Louisiana, USA, d. 29 July 1995, Welsh, Louisiana, USA. Fontenot's musical apprenticeship came from the teachings of his father, the accordion player Adam Fontenot. His chosen instrument was the violin, and during his long career he became one of its greatest practitioners in the Acadian/Creole tradition. His first professional work came as a member of Amd Ardoin's band, one of the most famous and popular early Cajun performers. Fontenot's contribution to that success was rewarded in the early 60s when the folk community adopted him (and regular collaborator Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin) as a founding father, and he was invited to appear at the Newport Folk Festival. He was widely acknowledged by Cajun fiddlers such as Michael Doucet (BeauSoleil) and D'Jaima Garnier during this time as a pivotal influence on the music's development. However, as in his earlier days, Fontenot never became a full-time musician, working also as a rice farmer and feed store employee. This helped finance records for Arhoolie Records, which in the 90s included Louisiana Hot Sauce, his final recording. He died of cancer after a long illness in 1995.

Listen to Canray Fontenot at Finetune.

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