Joe Werner

String band era In 1935, the Hackberry Ramblers began recording music for RCA Victor records on their budget Bluebird Records label. Joe got married in 1936 and late that year, he began playing with the band. In 1937, the group was invited to record in New Orleans for a session where several English tunes were sung under the band name "Riverside Ramblers". Joe sang and played a tune he claimed he learned from a travelling hobo called "Wondering". According to Joe: Quote|text=It was back in my courtin' days. One day I sat down and started picking away at the guitar and playing the harmonica and the tune fell together. I worked out the words the same way. It was in Paco's Cafe over in Rayne. I had the song and words before I left Paco's that night.

After World War II With his recording years behind him, Joe started a family and got a job working for the local newspaper. Joe settled into playing music on Crowley's radio station KSIG, where he would often feature his four children accompanying him. Richard, Walter, Jo Anne, Lou Ella. (ref. Grandson Brian Whitley) This came to a halt in 1951 when his oldest son, Richard, was killed in a tragic auto accident. The following year, Webb Pierce heard Werner's recording and turned it into one of his hit songs, spending four weeks at the top in 1952. Joe continued to write columns for the newspaper and made occasional appearances in town until he moved to Fort Worth, Texas with his wife Anne. He died in 1978.

Discography

Joe Werner: Early Cajun Artist (BACM CD 543, 2016) CAJUN-Rare & Authentic (JSP, 2008) Cajun Country Volume 2: More Hits From The Swamp (JSP, 2005)

Wondering Listen