Hackberry Ramblers

The Hackberry Ramblers, also known as the Riverside Ramblers, is a Cajun music band based in Hackberry, Louisiana, formed in 1933. Since the late 1930s, it has become one of the most recognized names and influential groups in Cajun music.^{[citation needed]}

Hackberry Ramblers
Also known as	Riverside Ramblers
Origin	Hackberry, Louisiana
Genres	Cajun, country, Western swing, jazz, and blues
Years active	1930 (1930)–2005 (2005)[1]
Labels	Bluebird, Montgomery Ward, De Luxe, Arhoolie, Goldband
Past members	Luderin Darbone Edwin Duhon Alvin Ellander[2] Joe Werner John Parker Glen Croker Johnny Faulk Ben Sandmel

The group, which continues to tour and perform, has one of the longest histories of a musical group in the United States of America, and while its lineup has changed many times since its conception, its founders—fiddler Luderin Darbone (1913–2008) and accordionist Edwin Duhon (1910–2006)—led the band until Duhon's death in 2006. While the roots of the band lie in its Cajun music repertoire, the Ramblers perform a broad swath of American music, from Western swing to blues and rockabilly.

Early years

In 1930, fiddler Luderin Darbone and guitarist Edwin Duhon met in Hackberry, Louisiana and began playing music together. Although Duhon initially played accordion, his instrument fell into disrepair and was unaffordable to replace; furthermore, the Nashville country music becoming popular via radio had no accordions. Therefore Duhon opted to play guitar, and the initial lineup was one fiddle and two guitars.^[2]

By 1933, they were on the radio and signed with RCA's Bluebird Records. Around this time, Darbone and Duhon created the name "Hackberry Ramblers"—"We wanted a name that was catchy and could be announced on the radio," said Darbone in an interview, adding that they were the first Cajun band to create a group name rather than use individual musicians' names.^[2] These radio broadcasts took place from the Majestic Hotel in Lake Charles, Louisiana on KFBL. In 1936, the Hackberry Ramblers recorded "Jolie Blonde", "Oh Josephine, Ma Josephine", "One Step De L'Amour" and "Faux Pas Tu Bray Cherie".^[3] Darbone and Duhon were the first musicians to bring electronic amplification to area dance halls, sometime 1932 or later, running a public address system off the idling engine of Darbone's Model-A Ford.^[2][4]

Their eclectic repertoire included Cajun music, country music and Western swing, jazz music, and blues music in both English and French. Artists whose songs they played included Bob Wills, Jimmie Rodgers, and Bessie Smith.^[5] Due to a sponsorship deal with Montgomery Ward, the band adopted the name "The Riverside Ramblers".^{[citation needed]}

Guitarist and vocalist Joe Werner (1909–1978) joined the Riverside Ramblers in 1936, and the group recorded "Wondering" in 1937. However, Werner left the group the following year.^{[citation needed]}

Later years and legacy

In the 1960s, the band found renewed interest when Chris Strachwitz (1931–2023) of Arhoolie Records began recording them.^[6] The band performed at festivals, including FitzGerald's American Music Festival in 1997.^[7]

In 2002, Darbone and Duhon received a prestigious National Heritage Fellowship from the Folk Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts.^[8]

Prior to Duhon's death in 2006, the final membership of the band included Darbone, Duhon, Ben Sandmel on drums, Glen Croker (died 2011)^[9] on guitar, and Johnny Faulk on bass.^{[citation needed]}

The Country Music Hall of Fame has honored the group; it holds enshrined many of the founding members' instruments.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• History of Cajun Music
• List of Notable People Related to Cajun Music