by Kara St. Clair
If you’ve attended Festival International in the past 20 years, you have undoubtedly enjoyed Christopher Stafford’s contributions to this vibrant musical community. He has graced every single one of these Festival stages, some stages more than once, either as frontman of Feufollet, or as a part of dozens of bands on one of the countless instruments he was so tastefully proficient in.
For those not familiar, Christopher was a Lafayette musician who started his professional musical career at the tender age of 9. He was considered a wunderkind prodigy of sorts as he played accordion, fiddle, piano, guitar, and anything that could generally make sound. His life was dedicated to preserving, exploring, experimenting, collaborating within the context of roots music of South Louisiana. Singular in his talent, Stafford was considered one of the greats well before he could legally order a drink at the Blue Moon Saloon.
A humble, yet limitless musician, he shared his gifts with folk and Americana audiences here in the US, Canada, and the Francophone world. But it’s here, in this town, where he was born. He belonged to Lafayette and Lafayette belonged to Christopher.
For those that are new to this area and culture, or attending this festival for the first time, you should know that this close knit family of music makers, music lovers, dancers, and “Festivalarians” lost an immense talent, bandmate, brother, son, and friend. And for those of us so blessed to have known him, loved him, danced to his music, collaborated with him onstage or in his studio, may we all take a moment this weekend to remember him, share stories, and sing his songs.
To his family – Lisa, Mike, and Elise, we will continue to lift you up by continuing to love and remember what beautiful music he gave to all of us. His voice still echoes, “And everything in this whole world will return to how it should be And every singer will still sing about broken hearts and every river will flow to the sea.”
We raise a glass and dance a waltz in your honor, dear Christopher.