Gina Forsyth was born on July 5th, 1960, in Daytona Beach , Florida, then at a young age her parents and siblings relocated to Mobile, Alabama. As a child Gina grew up listening to hymns, bluegrass, old time fiddle and country music. It was that music where Gina would develop her great singing vocals. She also had an older brother and sister that were musicians. At the age of 16, she purchased her 1st fiddle at a pawn shop with money she had saved up herself. Upon finishing high school in Prichard, Alabama, Gina 1st enrolled in Southern Mississippi before moving to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1983, to study classical and jazz violin at Loyola University. It was there that she quickly developed a passion for Cajun music. In 1984, she met Cajun accordion player Bruce Daigrepont and played with his band for a period. By then, she was commuting to Lafayette to play at different functions. In 1986, she was recruited by legendary Cajun accordion player Sheryl Cormier to join in an all female Cajun band to play traditional Cajun music. Gina credits Sheryl with being patient and instrumental in her development as a Cajun fiddler. Sheryl would give Gina some Aldus Roger, Belton Richard and other Cajun musicians records to listen and learn to play along with. Gina eventually started playing with Paul Daigle and Cajun Gold. It is with that band that she met one of her 1st mentors, fiddler Tony Thibodeaux. The other being none other than the legend himself, Dewey Balfa, who also gave her a few pointers. Through the years starting from 1980, Gina would continue to join up with legendary accordion player Bruce Diagrepont, with whom she still plays with today. In the late 1980’s Gina toured with Paul Daigle and Bruce Diagrepont along the Northeast coast of the U.S. and internationally throughout Canada and Europe. She eventually started playing with Bruce full time since 1994 and was part of 3 recordings, Couer des Cajuns, Paradis, and Bienvenue dans le Sud de La Louisiane. Gina is a well-rounded musician who plays both fiddle and acoustic guitar. She became in demand as word quickly spread as folks witnessed her playing. She has played along with many great Cajun musicians such as: Nonc Allie Young ( with whom she sang the vocals on “My rope and spurs” and “Port Arthur Blues”), David Greely, D.L. Menard, Blackie Forestier, Waylon Thibodeaux, Reggie Matte, Merlin Fontenot, Louis Foreman, Lee Benoit, etc. In the 2010’s, Gina teamed up with Mid City Aces, the father and son duo featuring Cameron Dupuy on accordion and his father Michael Dupuy, on guitar. Gina played at many different venues in Louisiana , such as the Liberty Theater in Eunice, Mulates in Breaux Bridge, Belizaires in Crowley, Randols in Lafayette , various festivals and dancehalls. Despite the fact that Gina is a award-winning singer/songwriter, she was reluctant to mention that in our conversation, which gives a little insight on her humility. Perhaps equally impressive with her music career is her willingness to teach others the trade, passing on what others have taught her about Cajun music. (She started teaching around 2010, at Balfa Week and hasn’t stopped since). One such pupil that she is particularly proud of is Cameron Fontenot, a very talented fiddler in his own right. Gina still continues teaching fiddle at the University of Louisiana/Lafayette. Much thanks to Gina herself for her interview in contributing to her story, also thanks to Jerry Devillier, Eston Bellow, Eunice News archives, The Evangeline News Today archives, various internet sources for their contributions also. * Dedicated to the trailblazing women like Gina and others who contribute majorly to Cajun music. Composed by Neal P Granger
