Crafting the South Louisiana Sound

There is a long tradition in south Louisiana of people making musical instruments. In the early days it was done out of necessity. Music was all around, but ready-made instruments were not. Makers relied on their own ingenuity to craft musical instruments by hand, often using the few existing instruments as patterns for their work.

Modern instrument builders in Acadiana continue to rely on traditional methods, but have far greater access to high-quality tools and information. Although musical instrument making has largely shifted from a labor of necessity to a labor of love, local instrument builders have long provided the tools for Cajun and Creole musicians to carry on their musical heritage and move it forward.

Crafting the South Louisiana Sound highlights the work of musical instrument builders in south Louisiana from the 1930s to the present. The exhibit features hand-built accordions, violins, guitars, amplifiers, triangles and rub-boards - as well as photographs and video footage, offering a glimpse into the minds and workshops of local makers.

It showcases work from some of the early local instrument builders, such as violin maker Emar Andrepont of Prairie Ronde and accordion builder Sidney Brown of Lake Charles. It also includes instruments made by modern craftsmen such as accordion builder Marc Savoy of Eunice, rub-board maker Tee-Don Landry of Sunset, and amplifier builder Jason Harrington of Lafayette.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website