Every type of music has its legendary performers, but because not all genres are widely popular, many treasured artists are something less than household names. A new album from Swallow Records might help to remedy that, at least as it relates to Cajun music.
Cajun Jamboree, a collection of tunes from Joe Bonsall and the Orange Playboys, does a good job of painting a musical picture of the veteran musician. (Who, by the way, is not the same Joe Bonsall who has spent many years as part of the country music supergroup, the Oak Ridge Boys.)
Born near Lake Arthur, Louisiana, in 1921, Joe grew up immersed in the rich tradition of Cajun music, and as a boy became well-acquainted with accordion, fiddle and guitar. During his teen years his family 
moved to Orange County, Texas, and Joe soon put together a musical group for local dances, naming them the Orange Playboys.
As Joe reached adulthood, World War II came along and he spent his time as a decorated Marine rather than as a musician, but in the post-war years he drifted back into performing. Gradually working his way up to wider popularity, in 1951 he reactivated the Orange Playboys and began to enjoy a long period of success.
For the next several decades, Joe and his boys were one of the most popular Cajun music groups around, performing in clubs and on radio, along with selling lots of records. Joe was very active in the production end of the recording industry too, and was an original member of the Cajun Music Hall Of Fame. By the time of his death at age 75, his career had stretched for over fifty years and he'd reached legendary status among Cajun music aficionados.
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