Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere

Dennis Chachere

LaChachere Music Group

Before we dive into country music and business, how did you both meet?

Dennis: I met Ahsaki when we were in eighth grade at the junior high national finals held in Gallup, New Mexico. That year was historic for me, as I became the first African American to qualify for the inaugural Jr High National Finals Rodeo. I was the only African American participant there, accompanied by my parents. After finishing my roping event, I stepped out to grab a bite to eat and spotted Sakie (Ahsaki’s nickname) and her sister, who were the only other African Americans I encountered. They appeared a bit different, and I soon discovered they were not only African American, but also Native American. It was refreshing to see someone who resembled me, as they were the only other Black individuals I saw that entire weekend. I had to introduce myself. I approached them at the concession stand where they were waiting; Sakie was there with her sister, who was supporting their friend who had qualified for New Mexico. That’s how my friendship with Ahsaki began.

Ahsaki: As Dennis mentioned, we were the only brown and black folks present, period. Honestly, I was hesitant about attending that rodeo. I just got back from a volleyball tournament, but I’m glad I did because I met Dennis. Coming from a rodeo family, we’ve attended countless rodeos, so it felt like just another rodeo weekend. I remember I was at the concession stand, he approached me and quickly discovered that I’m the number one customer there—where you can usually find me at any rodeo. He asked me what was good to eat, and I shared my foodie insights. I thought that would be the last I’d see of him, but while I was at the stand indulging in snacks, Dennis came back to introduce himself. After that rodeo we never saw each other again till we were in college. We reconnected on Facebook. We had a mutual friend who made it to the NFR. Dennis noticed me in a blurry camera phone picture and added me. We talked, dated, got engaged, and now married going on 10 years come Juneteenth 2025. That is our rodeo love story.  

And the rest is history.

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Photographer: Lifted D Photography

Fashion and Beauty Brands:
Wrangler
Resitol
Ranch Fuel
Cannon USA
Ah-Shi Beauty

Follow at:
Facebook: LaChachere Music Group
Instagram: @lachacheremusicgroup
Instagram: @mrslachach
Instagram: @dennis_chachere

Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs

Every Song Tells A Story

 

What inspired you to start your musical journey?

Music has always been integral to my life, starting at an early age. I'm from a Jewish immigrant family, and when the war hit, my father, Paul Sub, fled Europe for New York – he’s as resilient as ever today; at 94 years old, he’s still cutting a rug at the Sound Dogs shows! A serial entrepreneur, he tried his hand at a few different businesses before opening up a rock club off the Bliss Street subway stop in Queens. This was at the start of the 1970s, it was called Popcorn Pub, later changed to Coventry, and it was one of the only places that offered new musicians who weren’t getting stage time at the bigger venues in Manhattan a platform to play. Because of this, Coventry became this glowing beacon for up and-coming artists at the beginning of their careers, including KISS – kids from Sunnyside at that point (who had their first live performance and debuted their famous kabuki makeup there!), the New York Dolls, and the Ramones. I grew up in that club, doing odd jobs like scraping the gum off the floors at the foot of these rockstars, right at the cultural and historical music revolution that was glam and glitter rock. It’s safe to say music was always playing in the background of my youth. I had the privilege of soaking in that gritty, creative atmosphere that surrounds struggling musicians, and of course, that undeniable spirit of rock and roll.

If you enjoyed reading this snippet of the interview, then you will love reading the full interview!  You can order a copy of LDL Magazine’s print magazine here.  If you are a mobile, I-pad, or Kindle fan, then you can subscribe to LDL Magazine’s digital magazine and library archive here.

Follow At:
Instagram: @thesounddogs
Facebook: Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs 
Spotify: Charlie Sub & Sound Dogs