Nathan Abshire
at home, Eunice, Louisianna, 1977

Cajun music is a hybrid of many styles, including country, blues, French Canadian, and Spanish. Occasionally, Cajun influence reaches a broad country audience, such as the music of Grand Ole Opry's Jimmy C. Newman or Hank Williams's recording "Jambalaya." Still, as a Cajun accordionist, Abshire lived on the fringes of country music, playing with local Louisiana bands, such as the noted Balfour Brothers, recording widely and playing folk festivals around the world. If a festival wanted a pure example of Cajun music, Abshire was one of the first musicians they would call. This picture was taken at Abshire's home next door to the Bearcat Lounge where he often played.