00:00 Allison Miner introduces Ben Sandmel and the Hackberry Ramblers 01:08 History of the Hackberry Ramblers and where they fit into Louisiana music scene; typical of Cajun music and the ways they differ through discussion and music samples 02:08 Demonstration: “Hackberry Ramblers Theme song”; how they start all of their dances 04:20 Demonstration: “French Waltz” and Two-step version of the “French Waltz” 06:40 The Hackberry Ramblers have been together since 1933; (Luderin) My mother was interested in me playing the fiddle, which she called the violin. The violin is played with notes and fiddle played by ear; she payed $10 for the fiddle and bought a correspondence course; He was playing “commercial” salon music, hillbilly music; he was playing foxtrot type of music 08:32 His dad was transferred to Hackberry where they were testing for oil; Edmond lived across the street; came from a family of accordion music. Edwin plays both guitar and accordion; switched over to the guitar with the decision to become a professional band; played Cajun Louisiana music as well as western swing numbers outside of Texas 11:23 Demonstration: “Beaumont Rag” 13:06 1933 they began recording commercially; Johnny Faulk joins interview (upright bass); Founding members Ed and Luderin cut around 378 records from the late 20s through the 40s; Ben is the most recent band member; Luderin was one of the first band leaders to implement a sound system; named themselves Hackberry Ramblers 15:56 Began broadcasting from Lake Charles KFDM; they played dance halls every night and there were no lights; plugged the first sound system into the model A Ford outside; very difficult during the Depression 18:07 Three to eight members: a fiddle, 2 guitars, a bass fiddle; for the records recorded for RCA in the 30’s there were 4 members; fiddle, 2 guitars, a bass and later on added a drum; In 1945 or 1946 they added a trumpet, a saxophone, and a piano; making a semi-orchestra and a string band 22:06 Demonstration: “Pipeline Blues” 27:10 Demonstration: “I’m Wondering” 31:40 Demonstration: “Cajun Hop” 35:25 First played French Waltz, etc.; recorded their English records under the name Riverside Ramblers and French records under the Hackberry Ramblers 36:26 Considered retiring but in 1963 Chris Strachwitz (owner recording studio in Berkeley, CA) knocked on their door to see if they would record again 41:15 Demonstration: Original song of D.L. Menard 44:20 Demonstration: “Hackberry Ramblers Theme song” 45:33 Interview ends