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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=19-Jan-2018&s=13919
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=19-Jan-2018&s=13919
19-Jan-2018
Larry Miller, Accordion Maker, Shop Destroyed, Iota, Louisiana - USAby Harley Jones |
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 Excerpts from a news article written by Herman Fuselier, published by The Advertiser, KLFY.com, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.Musicians from as far as Japan are mourning the loss of Larry Miller’s accordion shop in Iota, which a fire destroyed Sunday night. For 40 years, Miller used the shop to build his brand name “Bon Tee Cajun” accordions, a popular model played by Cajun and zydeco musicians. The shop also served as a cultural learning center. Through the years, Miller, along with his grandson Jay Miller, taught apprentices how to build accordions in a program requiring at least 240 hours of instruction. Miller’s shop also contained nine antique accordions, including rare, German models from the 1930s and one by the late Sidney Brown of Lake Charles, considered the first builder in Louisiana. Miller used the antiques as teaching tools locally and at cultural presentations across the country. News of the blaze drew hundreds of disappointed responses on Facebook. Yoshi-take Nakabayashi, leader of the Zydeco Kicks band in Tokyo, wrote “The workshop that made my accordion burned … Fortunately, there was no injury.” Miller plans to rebuild, with assistance from volunteers and former apprentices. Miller said the fire officials believe electrical wiring started the blaze. Miller had retired a year and a half ago from accordion building. He was still making repairs and helping his grandson possibly start his own business. |