Huey Purvis Meaux helped cook the music gumbo of the Gulf South.

 

He was born on March 10, 1929 in Wright, Louisiana. When Huey Meaux was 12, his family moved to Winnie, Texas. He would grow up there and open a barber shop. Meaux also had a popular radio program on Port Arthur radio station KPAC and began recording local acts including Jivin’ Gene and The Jokers, Glenn Wells and The Blends, and Johnny Preston and The Shades. That led to his storied career as a music producer, manager, promoter, and founder of Crazy Cajun song publishing. 

 

Meaux was instrumental in furthering the career of Barbara Lynn with the song “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.” Other artists that benefited from his talents include Big Sambo and The House Wreckers (“The Rains Came”), Freddie Fender (“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” and “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights”), and the Sir Douglas Quintet, to name a few. - M.B.