He was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, (May 7, 1934) to Clinton Cason Hamm and Annie Belle Kelly.

His love of this part of Louisiana would initially prompt him to create the classic poem, "What is a Cajun".

In 1972, the Cajun people in Louisiana did not enjoy any prestige within the hierarchy of what was then the politics and social web of the state.

[citation needed] Hamm continued to create works of poetry related to the Cajun people and their way of life.

During this time, he penned two books that brought a Cajun flair to everyday Nursery Rhymes.

He served as the editorial editor for the local newspaper, The Lafayette Daily Advertiser, while continuing to provide public relations consulting to various organizations.