Lawrence Walker (September 1, 1907 – August 15, 1968) was a

Cajun accordion A Cajun accordion (in Cajun French: ''accordéon''), also known as a squeezebox, is single-row diatonic button accordion used for playing Cajun music. History Many different accordions were developed in Europe throughout the 19th century, and ...

ist. He is known for his original songs, including Reno Waltz, Evangeline Waltz, Bosco Stomp, and Mamou Two Step.

Biography

Lawrence Walker was born September 1, 1907 in Duson, Louisiana to Allen Walker, a fiddle player. At 13 Walker began playing in a band with his father and brother Elton, who was also a fiddler. They recorded their first record in 1929 with

Bluebird Records Bluebird Records is a record label best known for its low-cost releases, primarily of kids' music, blues and jazz in the 1930s and 1940s. It was founded in 1932 as a lower-priced RCA Victor subsidiary label of RCA Victor. Bluebird became known ...

. In 1936, Walker performed at the National Folk Festival. Although known for his accordion playing, he made most of his money through rice farming. He focused on music after

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

when he toured with his band The Wandering Aces. Walker died in

Rayne, Louisiana Rayne is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in Acadia Parish. With a population of 7,326 at the 2020 United States census, it is nicknamed the "Frog Capital of the World", as well as the "Louisiana City of Murals". Rayne is part of the Crowley ...

of heart failure.

Accordion Playing

Wallker was known for his ability as well as his showmanship on the accordion. Walker was able to please crowds as well as win many accordion contests.

Legacy

Walker wrote only original songs, many of which are still in Cajun repertoire. Walker was inducted into the Cajun French Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997 – its inaugural year.

Discography

Compilations *''Cajun Honky Tonk – Various Artists'' (CD 427 Arhoolie, 1995) *''A Tribute to the Late, Great Lawrence Walker'' (LL-126 La Louisianne, 1995, 2000) *''Essential Collection of Lawrence Walker'' (SW6221 Swallow, 2010) *''Cajun Honky Tonk: The Khoury Recordings, Vol. 2'' (CD 541 Arhoolie, 2012)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Lawrence American folk musicians Musicians from Louisiana Cajun accordionists 1907 births 1968 deaths 20th-century American musicians 20th-century accordionists