"Man" Abshire was born on December 26, 1934 in Crowley, Louisiana and began playing music at the age of 12. He started playing drums and singing with Lawrence Walker in 1950 at the age of 16 and played with Mr. Walker for two years. In 1953 he started playing with Aldus Roger and "The Lafayette Playboys" and played music with Mr. Roger until the time of his death. This band was seen every Saturday afternoon on KLFY Television out of Lafayette, Louisiana.

During his musical career, Mr. Abshire wrote and/or recorded such songs as "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer," "Family Waltz," "I Passed in Front of Your Door," "Flames of Hell," "Chère Tout Tout," "Lafayette Two Step," and "La Valse a Nonc Alcée," "Lonesome Waltz," "You Want me Back Waltz," "La Valse de Parasol," Tous Les Deux Pour la Même."

Mr. Abshire played with such great musicians as Lawrence Walker, Aldus roger and the Lafayette Playboys, and Belton Richard and the Musical Aces.

He also went with Aldus Roger and The Lafayette Playboys to represent the State of Louisiana at the Folklore Festival in Washington, D.C., which was the first Louisiana band to go to Washington.

"Man" died in 1964 of Leukemia. Surviving children are Daniel Abshire, Marty Abshire, Sylvia Abshire, Duhon, and Pamela Abshire Hammons.