There’s lots of blame to go around
June 22, 2018
Woman accused of stealing from an area church
June 25, 2018
This week’s column is a eulogy far Ervin “Vin” Brace (1932-2018), written and delivered by Leroy Martin on June 13, 2018 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Golden Meadow; Louisiana on land originally sold to the church by Leroy’s Great Grand Father, Maturin Callais.
In 1982 and 1933, two events occurred, that effected the Cajuns and the world. In 1962 the one we mourn today was born bat his effect was still years away. In 1966 America’s Blue Yodeler Jimmie Rodgers died of tubercles at age 85 which saddened our world whose pain of the great depression he had helped soothed away with his songs.
Little did we know at the time that God had sent his replacement who would Later soothed the pain of the wars of Korea and Viet Nam with his songs. Vin Bruce lived a great life with 5 wonderful children and Aline his loving wife for 66 years, with his music and duties as an elected public official helping build a major industry for his home Pariah.
At Jimmie’s Rodgers’s eulogy a young lady by the name of Mary Beth Faget recited a poem that I thought fit the friend who we mourn today, Ervin “Vin” Bruce.
‘The voice that reached a million hearts, is in this whirling disc of black.
Though stilled forever it returns, to bring beloved memories back.
Of one whose mission was to heal the pain when fortune’s darts WERE hurled.
The vice that dried a million tears, returns to soothe a lonely world.
So let it be with Vin.
Vin was my best friend and even with a broken heart, I wish to remember the humorous and poignant times we had together.
At the wedding of his first cousin, Bessie Adams to my first cousin Onezine “Joe the Barber” Callais, Vine sister, Nettie, also a good singer and his father Levy on fiddle were ready to play music but Vin was too shy to face the crowd, so I was asked to join them. The only time in my life I was preferred to him.
When his first Columbia record was released, he called me. “Lee, Fabregas Music in Houma want me TO sign my records. Come help me?” “I’ll be there in 15 minutes” I replied. There was a line waiting and a young lady handed him his record. “What do I do, Vin Asked”? Sign “yours truly” I said, which he did and handed back the record. “Wait,” I said as I took back the record and said ‘Also sign your name”, which he did. Vin Bruce had signed his first autograph. It would not be his last.
WE were playing the “Frontier Life” Folk festival in St. Louis. Missouri and we were eating in a quint coffee shop. I would ask a question in English and he would answer in French and vice versa. A lady at the next table asked “what language are you two talking?” Vin answered “Cajish”. “Cajish” I asked. Yes half Cajun and half English.. “Vin, you invented a new language you’ll be famous” I said. VIN asked “will I be rich?” “No, just famous.” I said. He answered “too bad!”
In later years Vin was often called upon to sign at weddings, anniversaries and even funeral No charge. One day a lady stopped me and said “You know. Leroy, I heard Vin at my uncle’s fungal and he sounds just like he did 30 years ago.” I told Vin and he said. “Lee I had laryngitis and to disappoint them, I took one of my old records put it on the sound system and with a dead mike, pretended to be singing. Lee, she WAS listening to me thirty years ago.”
Another time Vin and I ware sent TO Washington DC by B.M.I. and ASCAP Music Inc. to meet with our Congressmen and Senators. As we entered the luxurious room Vin said “there it is!” Yes, I answered, it’s the mini bar, $10 dollars for a candy bar and $15 dollars for a bear” “No, Lee, our host said that it was free for us” Vin said with a big smile My smile joined his as we popped a beer and opened a bag of peanuts.
Next morning Vin, an old farmer got up before me and said “meet me at the White House gate”. When I got there, Vin was sitting on a bench with a bunch of war protesters carrying a gang unfriendly signs but he was having a conversation and had them all laughing. He said “they want me to join their parade tonight I told them I’d let them know”. With VIN, I never knew if he was joking or not.
Now you know what a pleasure it was having him as a friend. So long old pal…I’ll join, you soon. I always thought 13 go first but until I get there, sing to the angels, they’ll love you, too. Everybody else did.
And now, Vin Bruce belongs to the ages.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to an old friend. But that’s exactly historical columnist Leroy Martin does this week in his enology at Bruce’s funeral last week. He asked The Times to run is in place of his regular column to pay tribute to his dear friend. The Times and Rushing Media would like to said our thought and prayers to Bruce family in their time of need.
