Jimmy Domengeaux (1954-1999)

January 25, 1999 Dear Friends, I'm sure many of you have already heard. We have very sad news. Jimmy Domengeaux was killed early Monday morning, January 25th, in a motorcycle accident here in southwestern Louisiana. For the past four years as guitarist with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, he was featured in performances and recordings heard around the world. His music career stretched back some 38 years, perhaps most notably with the band "Black Dog." He also performed with Warren Storm, Cajun Heat, The Gumbo Cajun Band, Cheryl Cormier, amongst others. Jimmy was a gifted guitarist and a happy spirit. His smile and his high voltage solos lit up the stage wherever he played and his dynamic style was an integral part of our sound. He was also a caring friend and a brother on the road. We speak not only for the band, but also the music community, and fans around the world, in sending our deepest condolences to his family in this sad time. He will be sorely missed. Jimmy was 44 years old. He is survived by his mother and father Mr. & Mrs. Murphy Domengeaux, sisters Letty Darbone, Judy Theriot and Nancy Baham, brother Jackie Domengeaux and daughter Javen Domengeaux, age 9. The wake will begin Tuesday January 26 at 12:30 PM at Pellerin's Funeral Home, 211 Berard Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 tel (318) 332-2199. The wake will continue overnight until the funeral, which will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday January 27th at St. Bernard's Church in Breaux Bridge. The family has asked that anyone wishing to make donations (for a trust that will be set up for Jimmy's daughter Javen) please send to: Murphy or Annie Domengeaux, 210 East Bridge Street, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517. For all of you who have called and written, the band appreciates your thoughts in this hard time. We will be sure to bring all your responses to Jimmy's family. I don't think they really realize what an impact he made on people all over the world. The Mamou Playboys February 3, 1999 Hello again friends, I thought while the memories were fresh, I would share (with each of you who have sent us a note) some details of Jimmy's funeral and wake. We've gotten so much support! I really want to reach out and respond to each of you and thank you for your kind words. Perhaps this letter will suffice. The Wake: From 12:30P Tuesday right up until the funeral, people visited. Family friends, relatives, members of the Breaux Bridge community, musicians (entire bands!) kept filing in to pay their respects. There was always a crowd outside on the porch of the funeral home, sharing stories and trying to make sense of the tragedy. Late Tuesday evening, we sat down with Jimmy's family to collect stories for the eulogy. It turned into a brillant story-telling session. Our sides hurt from laughing so much! There was tale after tale of childhood trouble-making. Jimmy was exceptionally gifted as a prankster growing up. When he wasn't busy turning his father's lawm-mowers into go-carts, he was organizing seances, which he of course rigged for maximum effect. Many of these stories we had heard Jimmy tell, often late at night as we drove down the interstate. But it was especially great to hear the family share them. The Domengeaux's are strong and close, Murphy and Annie are truly exceptional people, and when you get to know them you realize why Jimmy was so likeable. Thanks to all of you who sent flowers and plants. The room was just packed by Wednesday morning with the sweet smells. I walked around with Jimmy's mother at one point and described to her each festival, agency, club, or musicians who had sent things. Obviously, as the driving force behind Jimmy's career, she was fascinated and moved by the display. Many of the arrangements were in the shape of a guitar. Jimmy, of course, looked peaceful. Melissa Hardy had a great photo of him (at last year's Jazz Fest) blown up and it rested on an easel by the casket (She also delivered copies of this great photo to all the TV stations by 5p Monday!!). There's been some really nice obituary pieces in the media. Scott Billington did a great story for "All Things Considered" which ran Tuesday night (and included some of Jimmy's music). All the local media, even Baton Rouge and New Orleans, ran stories. The Funeral: Wednesday morning, a perfectly bright and balmy day, Kevin and I joined Jimmy's brother and several other musicians as pall-bearers. We walked beside the hearse for the two blocks from the funeral home to the church (right there in the center of Breaux Bridge). Both sides of the street were lined with people. It was intensely moving. The funeral service in St. Bernard's was perfect. First Steve and then David gave eulogies, simple, honest and direct which spoke not just about the band's experiences but about Jimmy's diverse life, his family, friends and community. It was their finest performance ever, a courageous labor of love that filled us all with pride. Jimmy is buried in the family tomb in St. Bernard's Cemetery (right next to the Church in downtown Breaux Bridge). Perhaps the best moments of the day happened a couple hours after the funeral, when family and friends gathered at one of Jimmy's favorite hang-outs in town, a bar called Honey's. One by one, people stood up and spoke from the heart. Of course, there were more great stories. The community has so much affection, respect and love for Jimmy and his accomplishments and character. What a great healing session. It really worked wonders for everyone. As for the band, we postponed both our gigs January 29 and 30 in Florida. However, the Saturday night gig was played by the band Filé, who in collaboration with the venue, Skipper's Smokehouse, decided to do the gig as a fundraiser for Jimmy's daughter Javen. Several organizations and individuals donated the plane tickets to get the band over there, File played for next to nothing, and the venue donated all the proceeds directly to Javen's trust (about $2,000 was raised). So, we (not to mention Jimmy's family) have been deeply moved by these actions. They deserve a big thanks from all. Thursday, we met up with the family at Jimmy's place, and figured out all the equipment and belongings. His was the place where we always rehearsed, where we met at the start of trips (and parted at the end of trips). Our van and trailer were always parked there. A lot of memories. Hung all around his house were festival badges, backstage passes, pictures and other mementos from his years as a performer. He was quite proud to be on the road, jamming for you folks. It was an honor he didn't take for granted. I wanted to let you know that I have printed up all your e-mail messages  (about 140 at last count) and placed them in a notebook for the family. Jimmy's mother Annie has read through many of them. She told me yesterday, "I know he traveled all around the world, but I had no idea that people all over the world liked him so much!". The band will resume its regularly scheduled gigs this weekend. We've already begun rehearsals. We're gonna keep it loose, play some gigs with different people (such talent!). There is no rush to find a permanent replacement. All of you have been right in saying that this would be hard for the band. There are two levels of loss. There is the hurt on a personal level, but on a musical level it feels like we have to start over, which is frustrating. But, gradually I can feel us finding the strength, moving from sadness to a renewed sense of opportunity and excitement about the future. We have faith that the music will lift us, carry us on to whatever the new direction will be. So, thank you each of you for helping hold us up in this difficult time. We look forward to sharing with you not only the great memories of the past, but also a whole new chapter. We'll be comin' back at 'cha soon! -Peter Schwarz