Pete Jeansonne was born in Bay Hills, La. At 11 years old, he learned to play guitar by watching other people play. He has played music for the past seventy five years, including playing for four governors; Earl Long, John McKeithen, Jimmie Davis, and Edwin Edwards.
At 14 years old, Pete played his first club in Dupont, La. He was paid $5.00 and a hamburger.
His family moved to Bunkie, and at 16, Pete began playing at the Colonial Club with his first band; Pete Jeansonne and The Crowns. Members included Allen Roberts, guitar; Errol Briggs, guitar; Don Gauthier, drums; Harold Broussard, saxophone; and Pete on bass guitar.
Pete was the first to play on KAPB Radio in Marksville and the first to play the Cochon de Lait Festival in Mansura.
Last year “2024”, Pete received a call from Mike Shepherd, president of The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame (LMHF) in Baton Rouge. Pete’s dream had come true…he had been inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame!
Pete Jeansonne has had a music career that lasted over seven decades, and recently retired from music at the young age of 89 years old…way to go Pete! Rock on!