Biography
Leroy LeBlanc embarked on a five-decade professional trajectory in 1932, stepping onstage at seventeen to perform guitar alongside Cajun music legend Joe Falcon’s ensemble. During his formative years he also collaborated with Amedee Breaux before assembling his own group, the Rayne-Bo Ramblers, in 1935. Eric Arcemeaux supplied fiddle for the band’s original roster. In the ensuing period LeBlanc partnered with Creole accordion king Ambrose Thibodeaux and performed in Doc Guidry’s outfit, while additional associations linked him to Luderin Darbone, Pee Wee Broussard, Papa Cairo Lamperez, Rex Champagne, and Crawford J. Vincent. He became a familiar presence at numerous stations broadcasting Cajun music, delivering spontaneous remarks notable for their engaging support of efforts to safeguard the region’s interrelated traditions. From his recording sessions emerged several enduring Cajun standards, among them “Colinda,” “La Viex de Accordion,” “Mon Bon Vieux Mari,” and the best-selling “Dear Mr. President.” State honors only heightened his already “Happy” outlook. In 1980 Governor Edwin Edwards designated November 9 “Happy Fats LeBlanc Day” throughout Louisiana. Any later indictment of that politician should not diminish the associated prestige, since such legal difficulties have long been customary among officials in the area, comparable to the deep roots of zydeco, Cajun, Creole, and la la music. Another distinction came with his appointment as grand marshall of the Rayne Frog Festival. He recorded for major labels RCA and Decca during their explorations of swampland sounds, as well as extensively for regional concerns such as Fais-Do-Do, Bella, and Cajun Classics. Diabetes ultimately claimed this Cajun stalwart, remembered equally for his musical output and for the generous allocation of his time and energy to numerous charitable causes.