Austin Pitre is from Ville Platte, a small town in Evangeline Parish. He born into a family of share croppers. His family was also fond of music. Austin Pitre would sing cajun songs while working in the fields. Pitre’s dad played the fiddle and often played at night on the porch. When Austin Pitre was 6 years old, his dad gave him his first accordion. Pitre was 11 when started performing with his dad at local dances and sometimes these fai do-dos would last until sunrise. Austin Pitre eventually formed his own band. Austin Pitre is considered one of the pioneers of Cajun Music. Austin Pitre claims to be the first musician to play the accordion standing up without the help of a shoulder strap. Sometimes he would even play the accordion behind his head. Austin Pitre and the Evangeline Playboys traveled and performed at dance halls all across South Louisiana. Besides being a talented accordionist, Austin Pitre was also a very good mechanic. Austin Pitre passed away at the age of 63. In 1997, he was finally inducted into the Cajun French Music Association Hall of Fame.
