Allen West was born in the rural area of Ville Platte , Louisiana on August 30th, 1935 to the parents of James West and Nora Nugent West. Allen’s father James and many other members of the family, including Allen, were carpenters by trade and built homes for a living. Allen grew up enjoying music like most his age. When he was a teenager around 13 or 14 years old, he decided to self teach himself how to play the guitar with an instruction book. He got into Cajun music which was very popular in the region. As he learned, he figured out how to alter the chords a certain way from the book to get the Cajun sound he desired. In no time he started playing functions around the area of Ville Platte and Mamou. Early on he was inspired to play Cajun music by Dewey Balfa, who encouraged him to join a band. Allen had the distinction of playing and recording records for three historically great Cajun bands. He was a part Chuck Guillory and his Rhythm Boys in some capacity, being inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame with the group on September 19, 1993. In 1962, Harrison Fontenot on accordion, Allen on guitar and drummer Clint (Guillory) West approached Floyd Soileau of Swallow and Jin record label in Ville Platte of hopes of making records. The band called themselves the Cajun Trio and upon hearing the group Floyd was impressed and signed them to a record deal. They 1st recorded “The Cajun Twist”, a Cajun version of Chubby Checkers popular 50’s song “The Twist”. It became a popular hit in Cajun Country and even in parts of Europe. The group eventually added several other musicians and recorded 26 singles from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. They also played at many house parties and dances. Allen and Harrison remained best of friends throughout their lives. People took notice of Allen’s guitar playing, in particular was Maurice and Vorance Berzas of the Mamou Playboys, who was looking for a replacement for original guitarist Lee Manuel, who moved over to take over the fiddle playing duty for departed Clinus Israel. Allen was on the Playboys early recording of “The Mamou Hotstep” and “Eunice Waltz “ in 1962, at Floyd Soileau’s studio. In 1963, he was also a part of the group’s recording of “Eunice Two Step” and “Valse de Meche “ for Floyd’s Swallow Record Label. During this time period, Maurice and The Mamou Playboys were already a mainstay at Snooks Club in Ville Platte every Saturday night which lasted a span of over 30 years. They also played other events in and around the Ville Platte, Mamou area. Allen was unique also in that he didn’t speak fluent French like most in the area, but learned French vocals for a few songs that he sang with the Trio. Allen also played with Chester Cormier and the Bayou Playboys. His playing career spanned over 50 years. Allen also passed down his knowledge of playing to both lead and rhythm guitar to the younger generation as well. He had the distinction of playing beside CFMA National Hall of Famer Lee Manuel, Louisiana and Swamp Pop Hall of Fame’r Clint West and CFMA Lake Charles Chapter Hall of Fame’rs Maurice Berzas, Vorance Berzas and Harrison Fontenot. Allen was living in community of Turkey Creek when he passed away on October 12, 2011. Special Thanks to all who contributed especially Jerry West, Glenda Miller Vidrine, Eunice News Archives, Evangeline News Today Archives, Opelousas Daily World Archives, and Juan Ella Fontenot from the Family and Friends of Harrison Fontenot Facebook page. Composed by Neal P Granger
