Margie LeBlanc joins Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame Margie LeBlanc, who now makes her home in Onalaska Texas along with her husband Paul, has become a part of Country Music History. She was inducted into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame on August 30th during the National Traditional Country Music Association’s 32nd Annual Festival held in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Singer/songwriter: Margie Kaye LeBlanc, originally from south Louisiana, now finds herself in company with the likes of Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, Red Stegall, Jimmie Rodgers, Tex Ritter, Kitty Wells and fellow cajun Jimmie C. Newman, just to name a few. Having spent most of her singing life involved in the realm of Traditional Country Music, Margie is honored to have been recognized by the NTCMA. The NTCMA (National Traditional Country Music Association) is devoted to the preservation of many of America’s traditional musical art forms with emphasis on Traditional Country and Bluegrass music, but also includes Mountain, Prairie, Cajun, Polka, Cowboy, Western, Folk and many different kinds and forms of traditional music. Southern Gospel would fall into this category. The instrumentation of Old Time is also quite different from the contemporary electrified modern country music. Old Time Traditional is all acoustic, with fiddles, guitars, mandolin, upright bass, banjo, autoharp, harmonica or other traditional instruments. At her induction, Margie was presented with a beautiful plaque, which reads:
America’s Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame is proud to induct Margie Kaye LeBlanc in accordance with the bylaws of the National Traditional Country Music Association Inc. and the wishes of it’s membership, this honor is bestowed with humility and pride, as we recognize the significant contributions made by this inductee in the preservation, promotion and performance of traditional country music locally, nationally and internationally. Made this day of our Lord, August 30, 2007 at the 32nd National Old Time Music Festival, Missouri Valley, Iowa before thousands of like- minded people.
Margie LeBlanc has been blessed with the gift of a beautiful voice, and a warm stage presence that belongs to a veteran performer. In 2002 while performing as part of The Louisiana Music Calvacade, Margie was recognized by the Delta Music Museum in Ferriday La. for her contribution as a native Louisiana talent. She is truly an outstanding “Country Singer” who puts feeling and emotion into her singing. Traditional Country Music has always been a large part of Margie’s life. She identifies with the old Barbara Mandrell song “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”. In High School she remembers kids calling her “Hillbilly”. Several kids confided to her that they didn’t particularly like Country Music….but they liked the kind that Margie sang. At 16 she was voted “Miss South Louisiana Hayride”. She won a trip to Nashville and was Billy Walker’s guest on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. Later on, in 1982, she recorded a Country album in Nashville under the stage name of Margie Kaye; however, due to her responsibilities as a single mom at the time, she was not prepared to put the demands of a singing career above the needs of her children. She has three children; Jeffrey Werchan, Keith Werchan and Melodie Guillot all of south Louisiana and a stepdaughter Jennifer Cavell of Bossier City Louisiana. She is also the grandmother of 5, (Tyler, Candis, and Alexis Guillot, also Katelyn and Jacob Cavell) and is affectionately know by them as “MeMe”. Margie had always dreamed of being a Country Music Star when she was younger. However, the realities of life taught her that some things just don’t happen. Now that she is of an age where she does not have the responsibilities of raising children she has returned to her love of singing. Especially singing her one true love “Traditional Country”music. Her voice truly captures the essence and emotion of a Patsy Cline, the power of a Tammy Wynette, the clarity of a Connie Smith, and yet has the tenderness to give Gospel selections that special touch. It seems that there would, or should be a place for someone who has a true talent in singing, and is dedicated to preserving Traditional Country Music. Thanks to the NTCMA for recognizing Margie LeBlanc with induction into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame. As the stars of yesterday fade away, Traditional Country Music needs someone who can embody the sound, and treasury of songs, that made the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music special. Someone who could give all the Opry audiences what they want and expect….GOOD TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC, with a distinctive sound. As the George Jones song says, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes”?
Not only does Margie sing the songs of the Grand Ladies of Country Music, she also does justice to the Great Men of Country Music; singing the songs of Buck Owens, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Ronnie Milsap, Ray Price, Gene Watson, Ernest Tubb and many others. When Margie was growing up and developing her talent, there weren’t a lot of “girl” singers in country music, so she sang all the men songs. She is right at home with a good ballad or a rip roaring up-tempo number. Blessed with good health, and given the opportunity, she could be making beautiful Country Music for some time to come. She’s truly a “Country Legends” show by herself. Since moving back to Texas from Louisiana in 2005 Margie has become a sought after performer on many of the Texas Opry’s. She is very often the “Featured Artist” and always treats the crowd to a smorgasbord of “Traditional Country” favorites. She loves the opportunity to work with the many wonderfully talented musicians that populate so many of the Opry house bands, as well as the opportunity to mentor to some of the young talent often found there. She is a member of the USA Opry Network, as well as the National Traditional Country Music Association. Margie believes that local Opry’s go a long way in preserving Traditional Country Music for all, and she encourages everyone to take the opportunity to attend and to support one of their local Opry shows for some great entertainment, and good old Country Music. Margie is humbled by the recognition of being inducted into America’s Old Time Country Music Hall Of Fame. Receiving this is truly an Honor and a Blessing of which she is most appreciative, and something she will always treasure! Thank you NTCMA, and Thank God for Traditional Country Music! Visit Margie at margieleblanc.com