Susan McQuiston
February 22, 2018
BURGLARY SUSPECT SOUGHT
February 22, 2018
In the early fifties, television was in its infancy and radio was still the dominate entertainment medium. Our area had only one TV station, WDSU, showing mostly test patterns and few programs. A Federal Communications Com-mission freeze did not allow other Television stations until after 1954.
Our area could hear 12 New Orleans radio stations and Houma’s KCIL and at night the giant 50,000 watts clear channel stations, WWL New Orleans (5,000 day time), WLS Chicago, WLW Cincinnati, and WSM Nashville, went full power. Mexican border stations sold baby chicks and patent medicine with 500,000 watts and Hillbilly music which included the Carter Family.
New Orleans radio stations WJBW and WWEZ each carried live programs with Gene Rodrigue’s Bayou Boys and Leroy Martin’s Southern Serenaders every Saturday. We received hundreds of cards and letters and dozens of telegrams.
One Saturday morning a Columbia Records scout was listening to Gene Rodrigue and his star singer 18 year Vin Bruce and they signed Vin in 1951. He soon became a south Louisiana superstar and was on his way to national stardom. One major hit would have done it. He came close but it wasn’t to be and his manager had bought a tour bus and “Nudie the tailor” uniforms but something happened. Something called Elvis Presley!
In 1956 he almost single handed destroyed the country music industry. Rock and Roll was in and country music was almost out. Vin’s contract was terminated as was one half of all Columbia country stars. VIN went on to manage a service station and play with a three piece band in a small club in Golden Meadow.
In 1960 I visited Jin/Swallow Record label’s Floyd Swallow in Ville Platte, Louisiana. We were friends through my Disc Jockey KTIB radio program. I received a warm welcome and the subject of Vin Bruce came up. “You know I still get calls at Floyd’s Record Shop (a large record distributor) and he could still sell a lot of records.” “I’m just the guy you want, I’m his manager and I’ll bring him to you” I answered. (I really was not…..yet.) Floyd signed him to a long and successful second recording career.
Thus our lifetime friendship became a business partnership that lasted 26 years until my retirement in 1986 to become Assessor of Lafourche Parish. Vin again became the top selling Cajun/country artist with 45’s, over 12 LP’s, Cassettes, 8 tracts, radio, TV. programs and a top national Folk Festival tour band. All Vin’s recordings are now on CD.’s and available on the internet.
In the 1960’s country music station, WSHO, opened in New Orleans. The owners made us their “go to” band for appearances at car dealerships, real estate home shows, bank branch openings, and even Pontchartrain Beach backing Grand Ole Opry stars.
Around 1968 WSHO built a high platform on the Canal Street neutral ground for Mardi Gras day where we broadcasted live as parades rolled on both sides of the street.
It was hectic having to set up early in morning, but what an experience! A room with facilities, electric fans and food and drinks for musicians, wives and staff was provided below the stage. After three years we gave it up and the platform was torn down.
The float riders threw to us from both sides of Canal and as the beads and trinkets piled up to our knees we gathered and threw them back to the crowd amassed below. Unforgettable! As the many throws hit Doc Guidry’s electric fiddle it resounded in his amplifier like machine gun fire. Riders who knew us threw extra hard. Ouch… Hectic but memorable days.
Afriend watching TV heard our music and recorded WDSU TV broadcasting from a nearby booth with Mel Levitt interviewing New Orleans Mayor Victor Schiro. As our music bled through his mike we watched him angrily tell the Mayor: “What’s a Cajun band doing in our city of jazz?” along with a few more uncomplimentary remarks. A few years later when Paul Prudhomme burned a red-fish, the city proudly reclaimed its Cajun and Creole heritage.
One Mardi Gras day we meet a man who affected our lives. BYE NOW!
In this week’s piece, historical colunmist Leroy Martin begins to tell the tale of his long-standing friendship with Vin Bruce.
Both men are well-known local musicians in the area.
