Harry Henry Choates was an American Cajun fiddler born on December 26, 1922, in Louisiana. By age 12, he performed for change in barbershops. He gained professional experience with the ensembles of Leo Soileau and Leroy Leblanc before forming the Melody Boys in 1946. Choates recorded the track “Jole Blon” (1946) under the Gold Star Records label, which reached number 4 on the Billboard charts. Although later recorded by Moon Mullican, Choates had waived his rights and received no compensation for its success. He recorded for Gold Star and Macy's Recordings until the Melody Boys disbanded due to his alcoholism. He subsequently performed with Jesse James & His Gang. Choates died on July 17, 1951, while incarcerated in the Travis County Jail. In 2014, Rolling Stone magazine ranked his version of “Jole Blon” number 99 on its list of the 100 greatest country songs.
