Preston Frank & the Frank Family Band

Biography

Preston Frank, born in 1947 in Oberlin, Louisiana, of Louisiana Creole ancestry, grew up in Soileau, Louisiana, in a musical family spanning four generations. His great-grandfather Joseph Frank Jr. played accordion, his great-great-grandfather Joseph Frank Sr. played fiddle with Dennis McGee, and his father Paul Frank played guitar with fiddler Canray Fontenot. Raised farming cotton while his family performed at house dances, young Preston was introduced to live music by his father and uncle Carlton Frank, a fiddler. He taught himself accordion by listening to records after buying a Hohner diatonic model from a Kinder drugstore, with some guidance from his father.[1][2][4]

In 1977, Frank formed The Preston Frank Soileau Band (later the Frank Family Band) with uncles Carlton on fiddle and Hampton on guitar, and brothers Charles Prudhomme on guitar and 'Slim' Prudhomme on bass. They recorded singles and the LP Zydeco Vol. 2 for Arhoolie Records in 1981-1985, including tracks like 'Shake What You Got' and 'Swallow Special'—the latter referencing his hometown Soileau. Additional albums followed on Lanor Records through 1991, such as one produced by Lee Lavergne. Working shifts at a plywood plant limited his touring, but he mentored his son Keith Frank, who took over leadership while incorporating Preston's traditional zydeco style. The band, known for zydeco and Creole music, reunited for events like a 2000 Liberty Theater performance and released Seventy-Five in 2023 for Preston's 75th birthday on Soulwood Records.[1][2][3][6]

Preston Frank remains a vital preserver of traditional zydeco and Creole French music, described as one of the last living links to these roots. He continues occasional performances, including at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in 2023, balancing his legacy with family involvement across five generations.[1][2][5][6]

Fun Facts

• The song 'Swallow Special' references a homophonous misspelling of his hometown Soileau, also used in the early band name Preston Frank Swallow Band.[1][2]
• Preston bought his first Hohner diatonic accordion from a drugstore in Kinder, Louisiana, and self-taught by ear from records.[1]
• 'Why Do You Want to Make Me Cry?' was co-written by Preston and became a signature song for Leo Thomas.[2]
• In 2000, the family reunited for Eunice's Liberty Theater with Preston on accordion, Keith on guitar, and siblings Jennifer and Brad.[2][3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Paul Frank - father who played guitar and provided guidance (house dances) [childhood]
• Carlton Frank - uncle and fiddler who introduced him to live music (family band performances) [1977 onward]

Key Collaborators

• Carlton Frank - uncle on fiddle in family band (The Preston Frank Soileau Band, Zydeco Vol. 2 (1985), Seventy-Five (2023)) [1977 onward]
• Hampton Frank - uncle on guitar in family band (The Preston Frank Soileau Band) [1977]
• Charles Prudhomme - brother on guitar (The Preston Frank Soileau Band) [1977]
• 'Slim' Prudhomme - brother on bass (The Preston Frank Soileau Band; later in John Delafose's band) [1977]
• Keith Frank - son who took over band leadership, played guitar/drums (family band albums, 2000 Liberty Theater performance, Seventy-Five (2023)) [1980s onward]
• Brad Frank - son on drums (family band) [1990s onward]
• Jennifer Frank - daughter in family performances (2000 Liberty Theater) [2000]

Artists Influenced

• Keith Frank - son started in family band at age 4 on drums, learned Preston's style before developing his own (leads Frank Family Band, own zydeco band) [1980s onward]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia