Know Something About Bob?
If you knew him, worked with him, have a Bud Fletcher record, remember him on KATC, or heard one of his stories — we want to hear from you.
An AI has read Bob's entire personal archive — 145 files of his writing. You can ask it anything about his work, or share your own memories.
Email: [email protected]
Who He Was
- "The foremost commentator on the Cajun way of life" — Baton Rouge Morning Advocate
- Co-coined "Acadiana" — named an entire region
- Poems reproduced 100,000+ times — cultural artifacts found in homes across Louisiana
- Creator of Bud Fletcher — first Cajun comedian who didn't mock Cajuns
- News Director, KATC TV-3 • Chief Editorial Writer, The Daily Advertiser
- Author, "Cajun Nursery Rhymes" — regional bestseller
Historical Context
In 1921, Louisiana's constitution banned French in all public schools. For nearly 50 years, Cajun children were beaten for speaking their language. "Cajun" was used as a slur meaning poor and trashy. An entire generation was taught to be ashamed of who they were.
The Cajun Renaissance began in the late 1960s. Cajuns started reclaiming their identity from shame to pride. Bob was creating during this exact inflection point, when the culture desperately needed authentic voices.
He gave people words to describe who they were when they'd been told to be ashamed of it.
The Invisible Architect
Bob shaped how an entire region sees itself. He never knew.
Everything he created was designed to disappear into the culture: "Acadiana" became just a region name, not something someone coined. His poems circulated without his name attached. His editorials were unsigned. Bud Fletcher was a character, not Bob. His speeches were delivered by other people.
This site reconnects a man's name to work that outgrew him.
The Crown Jewels
Reproduced over 100,000 times each. Found framed in homes, restaurants, and offices across Louisiana.
What Is a Cajun?
Written in 1972, before Cajun pride was mainstream. Reproduced over 100,000 times.
"Between the red hills of North Louisiana and the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, lives the Cajun. Among the marshes and the bayous, the tall oaks and whispering moss, he carries on the traditions of his hardy Nova Scotian ancestors..."
A Cajun Toast
"May there be crawfish in your nets, and gumbo in your pot..." — Copyright 1973
"May there be crawfish in your nets
And gumbo in your pot.
May the Sac-au-Lait be biting
At your favorite fishing spot..."
A Cajun Prayer
"Sun's coming up on the bayou, Lord..." — Copyright 1973
"Sun's coming up on the bayou, Lord.
So bright in the clean, cool air,
As I kneel in my Cajun Cabin, Lord,
To offer my morning prayer..."
What People Said About Him
"Bob loved the English language. He worked very hard to use it properly and to use it well."
"His knowledge of 'old' Lafayette was astounding: there was no better storyteller than Bob Hamm.""
"He was a very private person in very public jobs."
"The most popular Cajun humorist during the early 70s."
"The foremost commentator on the Cajun way of life."