Varise Conner was a Cajun

Cajun music

Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...

 fiddler

Fiddler

A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...

 born in Lake Arthur, Louisiana

Lake Arthur, Louisiana

Lake Arthur is a town in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,007 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jennings Micropolitan Statistical Area...

. His works and personality has inspired many prominent Cajun musicians.

History

He was the son of Arsen and Emma Conner. He was a third generation fiddler: his grandfather, Octave, was also a fiddler. His ancestry can be traced to Ireland, when they immigrated to Louisiana in the late 18th century. He started to play the fiddle at the age of 9. His father bought him a copy 1713 Stradivarius

Stradivarius

The name Stradivarius is associated with violins built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari. According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or reproduce, though this belief is controversial...

 violin. He then started to play with his brothers Murphy and Valsin. Soon after forming a family string band known as The Conner Boys, they were playing local dance halls. Conner is known for the Lake Arthur Stomp, which was originally called Lake Arthur Two-Step. It was renamed, because so many people would stomp their feet. During the Great Depression, Conner quit in 1935 because he could not make money playing for free. At the insistence of his daughter, Ethel, Conner resumed playing fiddle in 1956. Soon, he was playing a local festivals and concerts.

Legacy

Conner has inspired artists such as Michael Doucet

Michael Doucet

Michael Doucet is a Cajun fiddler, singer and songwriter who founded the Cajun band BeauSoleil from Lafayette, Louisiana.In 2005 Doucet was one of 12 recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA award, which recognizes artistic excellence, cultural...

 and Ken Smith. He was noted for his smooth and light tone on the violin. Dewey Balfa

Dewey Balfa

Dewey Balfa was an American Cajun fiddler and singer who contributed significantly to the popularity of Cajun music. Balfa was born near Mamou, Louisiana...

 admired his smooth bowing and his ability to play the higher register. Conner has been featured at the Tribute to Cajun Music Festival in Lafayette. Also, a series of recordings from University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...

has been released on Louisiana Crossroad Records.