Jody James Fontenot was born on August 9, 1960 in Kinder Louisiana to James Richard Fontenot and Mary Jane Fontenot. His parents were his inspiration for playing Cajun Music. Some years later the Fontenot family moved to Lake Charles. Jody began playing the violin at LaGrange Senior High School and was only trained in classical music by Evelyn Kushner, but it did teach him basics in playing and learning music. In the mid 1980's, his early 20's, he was recruited to play with Tim Savoy & Calcasieu Playboys. The group originally consisted of fellow LaGrange classmates Tim Savoy (accordion), Terry Abshire (steel), Toney Abshire (drums) who was later replaced by Mike “Chop” Chapman of Mamou, and Jimmy Higginbothem on guitar. Jody learned on the fly as to how to play along to Cajun Music. The Calcasieu Playboys were very influential in the Lake Charles music scene, as they were unique in the fact that they were a Cajun band in that age group. He stayed with the band for three years and was a part of several recordings before moving on to play with other acts including Sonny O’ Quin for 5 years, Buford Galley & The Jolly Playboys, Cajun Rhythm with Jonny Mouton, Belton Thibodeaux, and Eric O’ Blanc for five years, Ronnie Miller & Midnight Ramblers with Eric O’Blanc for six years, and Jimmy Aguillard & The Strangers with Tommy Guidry for seven years. Jody has an impressive list of notable Cajun artists that he has played with through the years, such as Belton Richard, Terry Huval, Ellis & Orsy Vanicor, Lisa Cormier, Danny Cormier, Bob Thibodeaux, Ray Thibodeaux, Tim Broussard, Jimmy Higginbothem, and John Carpenter. Jody’s recordings include CFMA albums; Black Bayou Special and 73 Special with Tim Savoy, Jimmy Aguillard; and the Cajun Done CD. His recording titled The Stranger with Jimmy Aguillard and The Strangers won “Best New Song of the Year”. Jody also received awards at the Cajun Dome. He has played for several events at many locations throughout Louisiana and Texas. He’s played at various benefit dances, fundraisers, senior homes, local bars, restaurants and casinos in Lake Charles and the surrounding Lake Area. Names like DI's Restaurant in Basile, Val's Lounge in Lake Charles, Triangle Club on Hwy 171, Club 90 in Iowa, Millie's Lounge in Evangeline, Calca-Chew Festivals, Acadian Festival in conjunction with the Mamou Mardi Gras, New Orleans French Market and the 1st three CFMA festivals. In Texas, he played at Crystal Beach, Nederland, Beaumont, and China. He also appeared on a television telethon put on by KPLC in Lake Charles with the Calcasieu Playboys, and on radio from Main Street Bar in Basile. With that group he was also a participant in a Cajun music contest held at the Acadian Village in Lafayette, garnering 2nd place honors. Jody also played fiddle at the Cajun Music Awards in Lafayette, Louisiana. In 2019, Jody received a well deserved award as an inductee into the CFMA Lake Charles Chapter’s Cajun Music Hall of Fame for his contribution to Cajun music and the Cajun culture. Thanks to the Eunice News archives, Evangeline News archives, Lake Charles American Press archives, Tim Savoy, Jimmy Higgenbothem, Ron Yule, for their contributions to this story. Composed by Neal P Granger
