Hadley J. Castille was one of the finest exponents of authentic south Louisiana Cajun fiddle music. His incredible gift of expression and musical interpretations of turn of the century songs, along with a swing influenced sound captured both heart and soul, and created an intoxicating blend of both, the traditional and contemporary. With rhythm driven two-steps, old time waltzes and award winning original compositions written by he and his son, Blake, this musical gumbo captivated and electrifies audiences worldwide.

Hadley appeared on the ‘CBS Early Show” with old friend, chef Paul Prudhomme and was heard the world over when interviewed by Voice of America Radio. A cultural and musical ambassador of Louisiana’s great heritage, his representation at the Congres Mondial (World Acadian Congress) at Oak Alley and a performance at the closing concert, Cri de Bayou, backed by one of Canada’s premier French Acadian bands, Suroit, was attended by over 7,500 cajun music fans. Along with Zachary Richard and Action Acadian, Hadley helped introduce French immersion classes into St. Landry Parish schools and in 1992 he was honored by the Cajun French Music Association with it’s annual Heritage Award, for his song, “200 Lines: I Must Not Speak French”, an autobiographical account of being punished as a child for speaking French on the school grounds.

In 2001, he was inducted into the order of The Living Legends (The Acadian Museum of Erath) and received Le Cajun’s “Award of Excellence by the CFMA. His CD "refait", is a retrospective recording which features 20 of his most popular songs, digitally re-recorded with his Sharecroppers band and was released by Swallow. A charismatic portrait of what the country embraces as Cajun, Hadley drew the audience in with personal anecdotes, making his performance seem less like a concert and more like a friendly backporch get-together on a sultry Louisiana evening. Hadley often performed with his granddaughter Sarah Jayde Williams.

Article in Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, LA - October 26, 2012

Festival International Pays Tribute to Hadley Castille April 26, 2013 Lafayette, LA