Wade Frugé born August 27, 1916

Wade Frugé (August 27, 1916 – June 23, 1992) was a was a full-time farmer and part-time fiddler in southwest Louisiana. 

Wade Frugé was one of the last of the great old timey Cajun fiddlers. Known for his delicate grace notes, piercing chords and powerful bowing, Fruge combined soulful playing with highly-skilled articulation. Although never a full-time musician, Frugé's love of music gave his playing a rarely-heard emotional depth.

Born Wade Joseph Frugé in Tasso near Eunice, Louisiana, he was raised in a rural farming community, he balanced a life of agriculture—raising sheep and farming—with a deep dedication to the traditional music of his region. Frugé learned to play the fiddle from local contemporaries and elders, including his grandfather Napoleon Frugé and blues-tinged fiddler, Douglas Ballard, absorbing the nuances of the old Cajun style that was rapidly disappearing by the mid-20th century. 

                                  

       Here's "La Vieille Chanson De Mardi Gras" from above LP

He married Evelyn Courville in 1942 and adopted a child, maintaining a quiet family life alongside his musical pursuits. Throughout his life, Frugé remained a part-time musician, performing primarily at local gatherings and house dances rather than pursuing commercial fame. 

Wade at Mardi Gras

His playing was celebrated for its qualities that made him one of the last great exponents of the 'old timey' Cajun fiddle tradition. Wade was discovered by accordion maker and musician Marc Savoy playing at local house parties in the 1970s.

His only album "Old Style Cajun Music", was released in 1988 comprising of fifteen studio recordings, recorded at Marc Savoy’s home over a 10-year period from 1979 to 1989. The album was re-issued in 1998 with an extra ten selections never before released with the final selection on the album “Frugé Waltz,” which is a fiddle duet with Beausoleil’s Michael Doucet.

Wade Frugé died June 23, 1992 (aged 75) and was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Eunice, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

Frugé's legacy is that of a cultural preservationist, keeping alive the authentic Cajun fiddle style and passing it on to younger generations. His recordings and mentorship have influenced a new wave of musicians dedicated to traditional Cajun music, ensuring that the sound of southwest Louisiana endures.

(Edited from Jazzapedia)