Lesa Cormier, Jefferson Davis, Louisiana
Submitted by Kathy Tell
Source: 1.Louisiana Folklife Database maintained by the Louisiana 
Regional Folklife Program, Region 2, at Northwestern State 
University of Louisiana. These biographies offer information 
to the general public. 2. LSU at Eunice's collection of 
contemporary Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco musicians and 
musical groups from Southwest Louisiana. 
Submitted: July 2004
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************************************************Lesa Cormier
Cajun Musician

Mr. Lesa Cormier self identifies as Cajun 
and he speaks French and English. As a 
child growing up, he lived in Elton, 
Louisiana, but lived most of his adult life 
in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is a retired 
designer and a proud member of the 
"Sundown Playboys" band.

Lesa is proud of Cajun traditions, the 
language, foodways, traditional music, 
and traditional dance. He was raised in 
a musical family in Elton, and has been 
the drummer with the "Sundown Playboys" 
since 1947. His father, Lionel Comier, 
was an accordion player and formed the 
original "Sundown Playboys." The family 
is in its third generation of music. 
Lesa's children are all musicians and 
currently play with the band.

Cormier explained that he has been playing 
Cajun music for 53 years. When his father, 
the late Lionel Cormier, formed a band in 
1947, he needed a drummer, so even through 
Lesas  real musical interest was in playing 
guitar, he took up the drums. More than half 
a century later, Lesa Cormier is still going 
strong, leading one of the few remaining 
old-time Cajun dance bands. 
 
The "Sundown Playboys" have received 
many awards and recorded many songs since 
1951. They have performed at many 
festivals and concerts across the country. 
Performances include appearances at the 
Folk Music Festival in Chicago 1976, 
Louisiana World's Fair in 1984, Sauce 
Picante Festival, Calcasieu Cajun 
Festival, 1994 Washington Mardi Gras, 
Wash., D. C., Chili Cook Off in Houston, 
Texas, Festival Acadienne Le Cajun Awards 
in 1990, and many more.