User:Kuickcajun/sandbox

Amar Devillier was born in July 4th 1909 and was raised in the farming community of Lanse Meg between Mamou and Eunice,Louisiana. He 1st learned the accordion in his teens from his brother in law Angelas Manuel and further honed his skills from a young phenom by the name of Alfonse “Bois Sec” Ardion from the nearby farming community of Duralde. He played many Bals de Maison (house party) in the 20’s. In the 30’s and 40’s he played many Fais Do Do (community dances). He played with groups that consisted of such notable artists as Dennis McGee, Isom Fontenot, Cyprien and Adam Landreneau, Ed and Bee Deshotels, Preston Manuel, Eston Bellow, Harry LaFleur, Cabri Meneir, Wallace LaFleur Lindsey Ballard and his son Jerry Devillier at different times and events. In the 50’s they played in clubs such as Courtabillion Inn (Bloody Bucket) in Port Barre, Cazo’s Dancehall in Mamou, Snooks in Ville Platte, Club 26 Old Crowley Rd, Dups Bar on Hwy 13 North of Eunice, and Fred’s Lounge in Mamou. Amar also competed at the large Acadiana region festivals such as the Rice Festival in Crowley, Cotton Festival in Ville Platte, Yambilee Festival in Opelousas, Swine Festival in Basile and The Acadian Music Festival in conjunction with the Mamou Mardi Gras. He won 1st place several times in the Solo Accordion category and had several other neat top finishes and his bands had a string of multi-year 1st place finishes in the Group Category mostly from the mid to late 1960’s. Besting some big name artist of the time. He and his band, The Louisiana Jambileers recorded two songs for Khoury records out of Lake Charles in 1950 at a studio in Eunice La. The “Shoe Pick Waltz” and “Durald Two Step”. They were some of the earliest Cajun tunes that featured harmonica on a recording. Amar was also known to have co-wrote some songs with fiddler Dennis McGee such as La Valse Devillier which the name was later changed to Kathleen’s Waltz by fiddler Sadey Courville after his daughter who was fond of the song. Amar died of a tragic shooting accident in 1969 just at the age of 59. The Hall of Fame duo fiddlers dedicated a tune after him called Devilliers Two Step.