The birth of REED Accordions. 

    My Name is Tim Reed, I am Cajun. I was born in Ville Platte, Louisiana and raised in the Ville Platte, Mamou and Pine Prairie area. At an early age I was attracted to the sound of the accordion and would tune in to the local radio station KVPI on weekday afternoons at 4:00 PM for the Rendezvous De Cajun radio show.

    In the early 80’s I purchased an Italian made Acadian Accordion from Marc Savoy. Through the 80’s I played jobs with Roy Chaffin bringing my accordion along and doing a couple of French tunes whenever I could. One night while working a dance in Mamou, Harrison Fontenot played a few tunes with us. My interest sparked as Harrison explained that he builds Imperial Accordions. Somewhere around 1990 I met Donald Thibodaux at Fred’s Lounge in Mamou and became very interested when I learned that Donald builds BAYOU Accordions. I became totally obsessed with building accordions in 1993 when I met Larry Miller and Jr. Martin for the first time at the CFMA awards show and Le Cajun festival. I was amazed at their display tables. Their tables were covered with these wonderful instruments. I was hooked. Larry Miller was kind enough to offer some training which I accepted. My friend Cecil Fontenot, from Ville Platte who builds Swallow Accordions has also been a great help.

     For me building the accordions is every bit as exciting as playing them, it is very satisfying to create an instrument that has been part of the Cajun culture for so many years.