Lawrence Walker
title: "Lawrence Walker" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["american-folk-musicians", "musicians-from-louisiana", "cajun-accordionists", "1907-births", "1968-deaths", "20th-century-american-musicians", "20th-century-american-accordionists", "cajun-musicians", "brunswick-records-artists", "bluebird-records-artists"] topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Walker" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Lawrence Walker |
| alias | King of the Accordion Players |
| birth_date | |
| death_date | |
| birth_place | Duson, Louisiana |
| death_place | Rayne, Louisiana |
| instrument | Cajun accordion |
| label | Brunswick, Bluebird, Khoury's, La Lou, Swallow |
| genre | Cajun |
| occupation | Musician, accordionist |
| past_member_of | Wandering Aces, Walker Brothers |
| :: |
| name = Lawrence Walker | image = | alt = | caption = | image_size = | birth_name = | alias = King of the Accordion Players | birth_date = | death_date = | birth_place = Duson, Louisiana | death_place = Rayne, Louisiana | instrument = Cajun accordion | label = Brunswick, Bluebird, Khoury's, La Lou, Swallow | genre = Cajun | occupation = Musician, accordionist | past_member_of = Wandering Aces, Walker Brothers | website =
Lawrence Walker (September 1, 1907 – August 15, 1968) was a Cajun accordionist. He is known for his original songs, including Reno Waltz, Evangeline Waltz, Bosco Stomp, and Mamou Two Step.
Biography
Lawrence Walker was born September 1, 1907, in Duson, Louisiana to Allen Walker, a fiddle player. At 13 Walker began playing in a band with his father and brother Elton, who was also a fiddler, while the family was living in Orange, Texas. Their band was called "The Walker Brothers Group," and they recorded their first record in 1929 with Brunswick Records. In 1936, Walker performed at the National Folk Festival. Although known for his accordion playing, he made most of his money through rice farming. He focused on music after World War II when he toured with his band The Wandering Aces. Walker died in Rayne, Louisiana, of heart failure.
Accordion Playing
Walker was known for his ability as well as his showmanship on the accordion. Walker was able to please crowds as well as win many accordion contests.
Legacy
Walker wrote only original songs, many of which are still in Cajun repertoire. Walker was inducted into the Cajun French Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997 – its inaugural year.
Discography
Compilations
- Cajun Honky Tonk – Various Artists (CD 427 Arhoolie, 1995)
- A Tribute to the Late, Great Lawrence Walker (LL-126 La Louisianne, 1995, 2000)
- Essential Collection of Lawrence Walker (SW6221 Swallow, 2010)
- Cajun Honky Tonk: The Khoury Recordings, Vol. 2 (CD 541 Arhoolie, 2012)
References
References
- Bogdanov, Vladimir. (2002). "All Music Guide to Rock: The Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul". Backbeat Books.
- "Dictionary W, Louisiana Historical Association".
- Neal Pomea (Pommier). "Cajun music mp3: Hadacol it Something!".
- "SWLA Musicians Encyclopedia Index, S through Z".
- "Lawrence Walker – Bio, CDs and Vinyl at Discogs".
- (1984). "Cajun music: a reflection of a people". Bluebird Press.
- "CFMA – The Cajun French Music Association – Dedicated To Promote & Preserve Cajun Music and Culture".
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