Harry Lee LaFleur, a champion of Cajun culture and music, died Thursday. He was 86.
Lafleur was one of the founding members of the Cajun French Music Association. The CFMA’s website states LaFleur started the association in November 1984 in Basile.
Greg Brown, president of the Acadiana chapter of the CFMA, said in an email, “Mr. Harry was a great ambassador and supporter of Cajun culture and music we as an organization have thanked him many times for his efforts he will truly be missed. ‘Thanks again Mr. Harry,’ I think I told him that every time I was in his presence.”
The CFMA is an association dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Cajun music and culture. There were initially only 30 members, but it has grown to a membership of over 2,000 families serving seven chapters in Louisiana and three chapters in the Cajun region of southeast Texas.
Herman Fuselier, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission executive director, and longtime journalist covering south Louisiana’s music and culture, stated, “Besides being a great fiddle player, Harry LaFleur helped put Cajun music on the pedestal it deserves. No one gave awards to musicians or had an organization to promote and preserve the music.
“But almost 40 years after he started it, the CFMA is part of the Cajun language. Musicians have built trophy cases for their Le Cajun awards and nomination medals. The organization has thousands of members across Louisiana and Texas.
“He left a blueprint for other preservors of roots music and heritage to follow. Bien merci, Mr. Harry.”
Rick Nesbitt, of KEUN AM and FM, and CFMA board member, said, “Not only was he a driving force in keeping Cajun heritage music alive during his younger years, and keeping it in the ears of the public through records and radio, but he also continued in his golden years to be an ambassador of sorts for Cajun heritage. From his involvement in the preservation of Cajun prairie land in Eunice to his life-long dream to form the CFMA, LaFleur not only had his heart in the Cajun heartland, but also in our hearts throughout the years.”
LaFleur was in the CMFA Hall of Fame. The entry for LaFleur on the association’s website states he was born on Oct. 23, 1933, in Swords.
“At about the age of six or eight, his grandfather who was also a fiddle player inspired him. His brother, Raymond, also played music with the legendary Iry LeJeune and Harry would often watch them play. This is when he became interested in the guitar, which he played for many years before switching to the fiddle. He played a variety of musical instruments, in addition to the guitar and fiddle.”
LaFleur played with legendary musicians such as Dennis McGee, Iry LeJeune, Leopold Manuel, Nathan Abshire, Wallace “ Cheese” Reed, the site states.
Among his songwriting credits include two songs, “La Contre Danse à Pèrepère,” and “La Vie Est pas Donné” written for a film entitled “Allie Baines Meets the Cajuns” which was released in England.