Tribute to Mr. Lee Manuel
Lee Manuel was born and raised in Mamou, La. He married Burna Mae Fuselier and they raised five children. He started playing music at the age of 17. He first started playing the guitar, then in the early 1970’s started playing the fiddle which he favored throughout the rest of his life. Lee was employed in the early seventies with KVPI Radio Station in Ville Platte, La. where he hosted a French radio program. He continued this until 1990 when he stopped because of an illness. In his span as a musician, Lee played with different bands and toured throughout the world. He helped establish the first Cajun Music Festival in Eunice, La. and promoted Cajun music and culture in schools, colleges, and festivals. He had many other accomplishments and attributes until his death in 1991. In our opinion, Mr. Lee was one of the finest traditional Cajun fiddlers.He will be deeply missed by everyone.
Tribute to Dennis Boudreaux
Being self-taught, started playing the guitar at age 12. He played in rock and roll bands as a lead guitar player in his early 20's. At age 24, he was playing in Cajun Bands and picked up the Fiddle. After playing with Joe Warren Cormier (Mr. T Beck Do), he helped create the band called "Wallace Trahan and Rice & Gravy." He played with this band for about 3 years. Then he started up the band "Savoir Faire" avec Paul Daigle in 1997. He played the Fiddle with The Cajun Tradition Band all across Louisiana, until his untimely death. Dennis passed away early on New Years morning, shortly after playing for the CFMA's New Year's Eve Dance in Baton Rouge, La. He was a very talented and awesome Fiddle player and a great entertainer, and will be deeply missed by everyone.
