Roy Carrier

Roy Carrier, an accordionist specializing in zydeco, built a notable career independently even though his son Chubby achieved greater recognition. Born in Lawtell, Louisiana, he acquired the traditional Cajun approach to the instrument from his father and eventually assembled a band that he led during intervals away from his work as an offshore oil-driller or on his modest farm. Chubby Carrier entered the group at age 12 as its drummer before attaining major success on his own; Roy persisted as a regional favorite and ultimately established the Offshore Lounge, a zydeco venue in the Lawtell vicinity. Late in the 1980s he joined the Lanor Records roster and registered local successes with the singles "I Found My Woman Doing the Zydeco" and "I'm Coming Home to Stay." The 1991 release The Soulful Side of Zydeco, shared with Joe Walker, came next, with Zydeco Strokin' arriving in 1995.