Dewey Balfa

He sang the song "Parlez Nous à Boire" in the 1981 cult film Southern Comfort, in which he had a small role.

• Name — Dewey Balfa • Born — 20 March 1927 • Birthplace — Grand Louis, Louisiana, U.S. • Died — 17 June 1992 • Place of death — Eunice, Louisiana, U.S. • Instrument — Fiddle • Genre — Folk, Cajun • Occupation — Musician • Years Active — 1948–1992 • Label — Swallow, Arhoolie, Folkways, Rounder, Sonet • Past Member Of — The Balfa Brothers

Dewey Balfa was born in Grand Louis, Louisiana, a small community west of Mamou. He was the son of Amay (née Ardoin) and Charles Balfa who were sharecroppers. Balfa had learned most of his songs from his grandmother and father who was a fiddle player.

During World War II, Balfa worked in a shipyard in Orange, Texas. After returning in 1948, he and his brothers Will and Rodney formed the Musical Brothers. In 1965, he formed The Balfa Brothers after an enthusiastic response from a performance at the Newport Folk Festival. This led to their first LP, produced by Swallow Records.

Balfa married Hilda Frugé when he was 22 in 1949. They had five children together: Nelda, Roberta, Norma, Dewey Jr., and Christine, many of whom became musicians. Christine founded the band Balfa Toujours to continue the family tradition.

Balfa appears in a documentary film entitled Les Blues de Balfa produced by Yasha Aginsky. In one scene, Balfa is shown with Nathan Abshire entertaining a group of school children. Balfa gives a short lecture concerning the origins of Cajun music:

• J'ai Passé devant ta Porte Listen • Jolie Blonde Listen

• 1972: Spend It All by Les Blank • 1974: Dedans le sud de la Louisiane by Jean-Pierre Bruneau • 1983: Les Blues de Balfa by Yasha Aginsky