Thanks for your comments Bill.
I am aware of (most of) accordion history in LA but was hoping to learn a bit more from that short essay....
I bought a second hand Larry Miller Bon Ton from a Pawn Shop in Lafayette some 3 yrs ago, which needed very little work to get it back to real good condition. Just replaced the corner brackets with parts sent from M. Miller hisself. Then I took it back to the man the next time I was that side of Bayou Atlantique :-) He gave it a once over, replaced all the springs cos one was a bit loose, fitted a quick release strap, tuned up one reed, and gave me a run down on the history of that particular box and how to care for it + an hour of informative chat on cajun music, culture and stuff. All for the price of a couple of beers!
I have met and played with Jesse Lege, Bobby Michot, Dave Greely, Cedric Watson, Wilson Savoy, Jeanie McLerie, Randy Vidrine, Mitch Reed and Sheryl Cormier _ all of whom I consider as friends. I also met a whole lot of other musicians and plain old cajun folks, who all showed me the best of times. I live in UK, Kent, where there is a small local group of folks who love cajun music and dance. My wife and I teach Cajun Dance and bore the hell out of anybody who will listen with our tales of Louisiana and all things cajun :-)
Satu, who is also on here, helps my wife with teaching, and also organises a couple of Cajun/Zydeco festivals and dance classes.
There is a thriving cajun music scene in Europe, but not one of the bands this side of pond can come anywhere near to providing the fabulous sounds of the real thing.
I envy you having met Iry. I have met Ray Abshire. He struck me as being one of the most friendly gentlemen I ever met. Everybody seems to say the same about that man - and his playing style is so relaxed yet powerful, huh?
Wish I was there in LA right now, but listening to music on this site will have to do for now.
Regards, Ken