Don’t miss C.J. Chenier and Marcia Ball next Saturday in Florida.
Update! #131 continues my list of artists of “Dancehall Gems Part 2” that I find fill the dance floor, guaranteed!
Also in this edition: Festivals Acadiens et Creoles celebrates 50 years, Festival-O-Rama, an idea for organizing your collection of vinyl records, NEXT SATURDAY. C. J. Chenier and His Red Hot Louisiana Band and Marcia Ball perform at ArtsPark in Hollywood, FL, two Backyard Concert events in Gulfport, and Record Store Day on April 20.
Also, TONIGHT Maureen is presenting one of her Backyard Concerts in Gulfport, this time a one-hour play, “Roshin’s Wake,” 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. An original one hour play written and performed by Gulfport’s Dorothy Hershman. This sometimes humorous, sometimes courageous, sometimes mysterious tale takes place during the journey of an Irish grandmother crossing the western frontier in 1864. Her tales are shared with the audience as if they were themselves her fellow travelers. Doors open at 7:30. NO ONE WILL BE SEATED AFTER THE PLAY BEGINS. See the one page display on “Backyard Concerts” on page 3 for address, parking and contact information.
Have a great month in April! read it all
21-03-2024 Some info from Australia sended by Geoff Tolfer (SqueezeBox Boogaloo)
Australia is a long way from Louisiana but Zydeco and Cajun are my favourite music styles. I lived in the US for 13 years, and have seen lots of Zydeco and Cajun bands there (and also was a regular subscriber to Gary’s email zydezine. When I returned to Australia, a big goal of mine was to set up a band and promote the wonderful music.
In some ways, the fun, outdoors, upbeat Zydeco and Cajun should fit well with the Australian way of life.
A few bands have toured in Australia, although not many. Buckwheat Zydeco would have had the most influence in popularising the music. Others including Beau Jocque, Rosie Ledet and Terrance Simien (I got up and played accordion with him) have also performed.
Other Australian bands include
1. Psycho Zydeco – a high energy zydeco band http://zydeco.com.au/index.php (Sydney)
2. Zydecats https://www.facebook.com/people/Zydecats/100057748536013/
The leader of the band is Lucky Oceans – An American from Philadelphia who played pedal steel guitar in the popular US band Asleep at the Wheel, before coming to live in Australia. He also used to have a national radio program. (Perth)
3. Le Blanc Bros Cajun Band https://tradandnow.com/product/le-blanc-bros-cajun-band/
They are based in New Zealand. Their fiddle player Richard Klein is from New York – he joined us in a gig, and is excellent.
4. Big Dog Zydeco https://www.facebook.com/BigDogZydeco/ (Sydney)
Their rubboard player Kate Glendinning used to play with our band
5. Lagoon Hill Zydeco https://www.facebook.com/lagoonhillzydeco/ (Tasmania)
6. Zydeco Jump https://www.caravanmusic.com.au/events/zydeco-jump (Melbourne) used to play more often – only occasionally now
7. Johnny Can’t Dance Cajun Band https://www.facebook.com/people/The-New-JCD-Cajun-Band/100063686852348/ (Melbourne)
8. Andy Baylor (Cajun) – Andy is an excellent fiddle player and guitarist with a passion for Cajun music and culture. https://www.andybaylor.online/ https://andybaylormusic.bandcamp.com/album/tonight-andy-baylors-cajun-combo (Melbourne)
It’s great to be in contact with you, Henk. I’ll try to be listening as much as possible, but when you’re able to include our songs (especially the spotlight), it would be great if you could let me know
Regards, Geoff
The Pontchartrain Festival has been postponed to May 2025.
In the meantime, let’s savour the memories of 2023
with a Gombo of outdoor footage I’ve prepared for you.
Il s’agit de l’espace Eugène Labiche, chemin de Mondon à Souvigny en Sologne (41)
FLORIDA CAJUN ZYDECO MAGAZINE
Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe is appearing in Pinellas Park, FL for our Holiday Zydeco Dance Party!
Stories in this issue on Dikki Du — It’s All in the Family; book review of Down Home Music, the stories and photos by Chris Strachwitz; Rolling Stones album, Hackney Diamonds, listed in top three spots for best celling vinyl record releases; the Montreux Grotesk typeface.
GRAMMYs in Acadiana: Music Goldmine
La musique est l’âme de l’Acadiana depuis les humbles débuts de la région, avec un melting-pot de Cajuns, de Créoles, de cultures européennes et amérindiennes inspirant de nouvelles sonorités. Le sud de la Louisiane a favorisé la musique folklorique, la country, le rock, le rhythm and blues, et de nouveaux genres comme le zydeco et le swamp pop sont nés dans les bayous. Bien que l’Acadiana soit beaucoup plus petite que d’autres villes musicales comme Nashville, Memphis et Austin, la région est un terrain fertile pour de nombreux artistes nommés aux GRAMMY et pour 16 gramophones d’or très convoités.
Florida Cajun Zydeco #128
Dikki Du is booked for our holiday party in Pinellas Park, FL on Dec. 16.
Stories include:
Bad actors are lurking on Facebook. A tribute to plumbers: Sewer Cruising in Normal Heights. Festivals-O-Rama, your guide to the rest of festival season. Florida dance opportunities in November 2023.
Excerpt: Mager was first recorded in 1928 and participated in only two recording sessions, but his songs are legendary. “Big Road Blues” is perhaps his best-known song. The rock group Canned Heat adopted the lyrics for their 1968 hit, “On the Road Again.”
On the cover: Steve Riley and Sherelle Mouton-Singegal close out the Saturday portion of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2023 with a tribute to Clifton Chenier. Sherelle is the granddaughter of Cleveland Chenier, Clifton’s brother and frottoir player in Clifton’s band.
Release Vuig EP
Il y a longtemps, un groupe appelé Front Row Zydeco a joué au festival ZydeoZity. J’ai été un fan dès le premier jour. Plus tard, lorsque le groupe s’est séparé, un nouveau groupe est né. A nouveau autour de Sharon à la batterie et de son frère Richard à l’accordéon (tous deux chantant également). A l’un de leurs premiers concerts, j’ai assisté à nouveau, et leur autocollant est sur ma voiture et mon téléphone. J’ai passé à la radio de nombreux concerts enregistrés par eux-mêmes. Mais à partir de maintenant, le monde entier peut profiter de leurs premiers enregistrements en studio. Bon appétit ! !! Voici le lien Spotify
A long time ago at the ZydeoZity festival, a group named Front Row Zydeco played. I was a fan from day one. Later when the group broke up a new group was born out of it. Again around Sharon on drums and brother Richard on accordion (both also singing) At one of their first gigs I attended again, and their sticker is on my car and phone. Many self-recorded live gigs I played on the radio. But from now on the whole world can enjoy their first studio recordings. Enjoy !!! Here is the Spotify link
Heel lang geleden speelde op het ZydeoZity festival een groep genaam Front Row Zydeco. Ik was vanaf dag een een fan. Later toen de groep uit elkaar ging werd er een nieuwe groep uit geboren. Wederom rond Sharon op drums en broer Richard op accordeon (beiden ook zang) Bij een van hun eerste optredens was ik weer aanwezig, en hun sticker zit op mijn auto en telefoon. Veel zelf opgenomen live gigs draaide ik op de radio. Maar vanaf nu kan de hele wereld meegenieten van hun eerste studio opnamen. Geniet !! Hier is de Spotify link
NUITS CAJUN 2024 | the festival will take place on 25-26 May 2024 in Buxy (71, near Chalon / Saône). + Free dance workshop on both days.
More details soon. Best regards Didier Lonjard (organiser)
Florida CajunZydeco.com Update #127 October 2023
Complete schedule for Festivals Acadiens et Creoles.
Featured this issue: Clifton, Lightnin’ and the History of Texas Blues; All You Need to Know About the Music Business updated; In the wake of Hurricane Idalia; Festival-O-Rama; Florida Dance Opportunities in October 2023; Scheduled dance events in Tampa Bay Area. The cover image is from the 1988 LP, Michael Doucet & Cajun Brew. Liner notes from that album in this issue too.
Excerpt: “The pair drove around the rural area northwest of Houston knocking on doors and looking for musicians to record. They heard about a 65-year-old sharecropper and guitar player named Mance Lipscomb, found him in Navasota, and persuaded him to record right then.”
12 september 2023 is Piet Ribbers overleden op 64 jarige leeftijd. Samen presenteerden we jarenlang tezamen zydecozityradio bij de SLOG. Hieronder een foto van een live event op de Vissershang in Hank (ZydecoPiet rechts op de foto)
Florida Cajun / Zydeco number 126
In this issue, the 41st Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival is this weekend in Opolousas, Louisiana. There is a complete schedule for Festivals Acadiens et Creole in Lafayette, Louisiana Oct. 13-15. Featured artist this month is Bruce Daigrepont, and his 1989 album Coeur des Cajuns is featured on the cover. Also a story on Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. Welcome to September! I hope everyone has survived the visit to Florida this week by Hurricane Idalia without injury to person or property. Welcome to autumn!
Pour l’occasion, fidèles à la philosophie de vie louisianaise et à la devise de cette petite élève de Mer (Loir et Cher) croisée lors d’une séance pédagogique avec le groupe Cocodrile Gombo et qui nous avait déclaré texto: “Le barbecue, c’est la vie !, nous revenons à l’essence même de notre tout premier rendez-vous fondateur en octobre dernier, à savoir:
Un Barbecue Musical !
Bonjour Vouzôt ! Pour plusieurs raisons indépendantes de notre volonté, nous sommes au regret d’être dans l’obligation d’annuler notre Lagniappe de ce dimanche 18 juin. Nous espérons très sincèrement pouvoir nous retrouver très prochainement. Lâchez pas ! L’équipe de Louisiane Gombo | For a number of reasons beyond our control, we regret to have to cancel our Lagniappe on Sunday June 18. We sincerely hope to be able to meet up again very soon. Don’t give up!
The Louisiane Gombo team
Last Friday the 17th March 2023 Will de Wijs past away. He was for many years the bass player of the River Zydeco Band
Dutch + International Cajun & Zydeco Agenda
01-01-2023 Florida Cajun Zydeco Update #118
– with the CD releases from 2022
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #117
Dikki Du & Zydeco Krewe performs Sat. Dec. 3 in Pinellas Park!
Also on Dec. 2 at Bradenton Blues Festival, and two performances on Sunday Dec. 4 in Grayton Beach in the panhandle. Make your plan now to catch the band in Florida this weekend!
Also, new music from Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas and T Marie and Bayou Juju. Check this new music out.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #116
November 2022 {link}
No. 115 — October 2022
Feature: Clifton Chenier
Cajun Zydeco Dance at Sauced Sports Bar in Largo on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Line dance tunes for 455 Rocket and Watermelon Crawl will be played. “Comin’ Home Baby” by Mel Torme will be in the playlist as well — a story on how that song from 1962 was made. Rory Gallagher version of the song as a zydeco tune. The new Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys band personnel after the pandemic. The legacy of Clifton Chenier. Dikki Du at the Bradenton Blues Festival. Johnny Sansone on the cover of Blues Blast Magazine. The complete band lineup of Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, and Riverhawk Music Festival is a go at the ranch in Dade City (Brooksville).
Excerpt: Strachwitz was first introduced to Clifton Chenier by blues master Lightnin’ Hopkins, who was Chenier’s cousin by marriage. Strachwitz was already a fan of both Louisiana Cajun and Creole music and the country blues, so Chenier’s progressive French blues were a natural fit.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Magazine # 114
ZydecoVillage festival … at the end
“Get your kicks on route 66 , afslag 16 naar de stad..””Het leven was prachtig op de A85.. afslag 16 naar de hemel.. “Lieve vrienden en familie, Zoals sommige van jullie misschien al hebben vernomen is Ben/Lenny op de ochtend van 16 mei overleden. Hij was door velen geliefd en had liefde voor velen. Wij danken iedereen voor hun handreikingen en steun. Veel Liefs, Anje, Iris, Marleen, Janne en de Meute.
The singer/songwriter/accordionist of Alllez Mama & the band Laroux passed away today, May 16. / L’auteur-compositeur-interprète et accordéoniste d’Alllez Mama et du groupe Laroux est décédé aujourd’hui, le 16 mai.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Magazine #112
Florida Cajun Zydeco Magazine #111
With: T Broussard and Dwayne Dopsie visit Tampa Bay
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #110
The theme this month is “Faces of Festivals Acadiens et Creoles.”
The March issue of Update! is out a little early to remind people of the great music we have lined up here in Florida for this weekend: Dunedin’s Mardi Gras featuring four stages of great music on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., and T-Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers dance at Chief’s Creole Cafe in St. Petersburg on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
T-Broussard and Dwayne Dopsie headline Dunedin Mardi Gras on Feb. 26 (check out the band schedule and map to the stages on pages 4-5); T-Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers will perform at Chief’s Creole Café in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Feb. 27; Beth McKee launches her live music event in Orlando set for Mar. 13; Suwannee Spring Reunion to feature Donna the Buffalo; Festivals Acadiens et Creoles Mar. 18-20, 2022. These featured artists each get their own story: Cameron Dupuy, Rusty Metoyer, Blake Miller.
Don’t forget our monthly DJ Cajun Zydeco Dance in Pinellas Park on Friday, March 4 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (dance lesson with Sharon Stern at 8 p.m.)
Excerpt: Dan Willging predicted, “By the time its all said and done, Cameron Dupuy should be on every list of top Cajun accordionists of all time.”
Music Lineup Released For Festivals Acadiens et Créoles …
LAFAYETTE, LA – For the first time in over 40 years, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles—the world’s largest Cajun and Creole festival—will be hosting a spring festival. With the theme “Le Grand Retour,” three days of festivities will include live performances from local musicians, the Bayou Food Festival, Louisiana Crafts Fair as well as workshops and cooking demonstrations.
cajun-uk.co.uk – The Big Weekend
Rough Chowder are a UK Cajun and Zydeco music band. Fronted by husband and wife, Ian McIlroy and Miss Kitty. Rough Chowder combine traditional Cajun and Zydeco music with their own original material, to produce a highly danceable and infectious sound guaranteed to transport you to the dancehall, on the back porch or in a field during Mardi Gras.
Cajun & Zydeco – Music in Gloucester, Gloucester – Visit …
Europe’s longest running Cajun & Zydeco festival is back for its (delayed) 28th year. Featuring live performances from Zydeco Diamonds, The Po Boys, The Bearcats Big Band, Lil Roosters Trio, Rough Chowder, Jock Tyldesley & Vera Van Heeringen, Joe Le Taxi, Elvis Fontenot and Lil Jim.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #109
We have some great events this month beginning with our Cajun Zydeco Dance at Sauced Sports Bar in Largo on Friday, Feb. 4. BeauSoleil is making a stop in Bonita Springs, FL on the band’s Au Revoir Tour. The Dunedin Mardi Gras will feature headliner T-Broussard, and other great bands to be named soon performing on four stages. Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp will be performing in Atlanta, and Tom Rigney and Flambeau will be at the Sounds of Mardi Gras Festival in Fresno. Festival News includes the returns of Festivals Acadiens and Gator By the Bay.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #107
Reviews of new Cajun and zydeco music from some of your favorite bands, and some you may have never heard of before.
Plan on joining us on Friday Dec. 3 for our Cajun Zydeco Dance at Sauced Sports Bar in Largo. We will dance to lots of new tunes, and I have included music reviews of a lot of that music. Welcome back to the dance floor!
Great new CD Crocodrile: So this is what Pink Floyd would sounds like playing cajun music
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #106
Dedicated to the memory of Larry Enlow
This weekend we’re celebrating the life of Larry Enlow. There is a memorial and celebration of Larry’s life today at Veteran’s Park in Gulfport from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be music and dancing.
Unpacking differing opinions on social distancing and social dancing during a pandemic.
1. Donna the Buffalo on schedule of Suwannee Roots Revival Festival October 14-17 in Live Oak, Florida
2. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band is on the schedule for Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival in Pensacola November 5-7
3, Rhythm and Roots Festival Rundown by Kevin Royak
4. Learning Louisiana Lingo by Louisiana Travel
5. The Cajun and zydeco family feeling: has that feeling changed? by Henk Mutsaers
READ & DOWNLOAD issue 105
October Louisiana festivals are postponed.
1. Cajun Zydeco Dance at Sauced canceled due to COVID community transmissions.
2. JazzFest and Festivals Acadiens both postoned until the spring due to COVID.
3, Knowing when it is safe to return to the dance floor.
4. Rhythm & Roots fest goes forward Sept. 3-5 with COVID ground rules for attending.
5. Album recommendations for Rhythm & Roots festival artists.
Sometimes a video doesn’t show … the Tittle is: Dancing To new orleans (2003 Louisiana Music Documentary
We are extremely sad and dissappointed to announce that due to the still ongoing travel
restrictions between USA and Europe we are not able to organize the
‘American Cajun, Blues & Zydeco Festival’ in 2021.
NEW DATES for 2022 are already confirmed between
October 22nd – November 6th 2022.
The Daiquiri Queens (USA)
Rusty Metoyer & The Zydeco Krush (USA)
Roddie Romero & Michael Juan Nunez (USA)
First time in Europe: ‘The Daiquiri Queens’ as a six-piece band.
Zydeco from Lake Charles with ‘Rusty Metoyer & The Zydeco Krush’,
And Swampblues Masters Roddie Romero & Michael Juan Nunez will bring the Blues from Louisiana.
Des Fais Do Do est un groupe cajun fondé en 1991. En 2019, le groupe a pris un nouveau départ avec de nouveaux membres et un répertoire Americana / Zydeco légèrement plus large. Bientôt plus à ce sujet à la radio, …
https://www.desfaisdodo.com/
Moin Henk, Freitag den 18.Juni um 20.30 Uhr gibt*s die neue MaCajun Formation live im Onlinestreaming hier: https://fb.me/e/XPDTlUKM|
Viel Spaß und hoffentlich bald wieder richtig live. Laissez les bons temps rouler Klaus Haettich
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #101 (June 2021)
The most interesting stories from the past 50 issues of Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! (part 2 of 2)
Five stories on Cajun artists: Lost Bayou Ramblers, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars, Wilson Savoy of the Pine Leaf Boys, and Yvette Landry.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #100 (May 2021)
The most interesting stories from the past 50 issues (part 1 of 2)
The Irrepressible Sean Ardoin (NOT mentioned in this story: Sean’s run for mayor of Lake Charles, LA); Giant: Beau Jocque — Many believe Beau Jocque was the genius of zydeco; Bonsoir, Catin: Cajun Girl Power! Strong female Cajun musicians who are smart, thoughtful and sexy; Chubby Carrier’s 30-Year Dance Party: Zydeco’s affable showman serves up the zydeco gumbo; Keith Frank: On the Pulse of Zydeco — Festival promoters plan a post-pandemic return to live events.
10-04-2021 Hot News, German band the Zydeco Playboys will release a new album in June. Here they are at the zydecozity festival 2019
Feature story: Lost Bayou Ramblers: Out there on the edge of punk.
FLORIDA CAJUN ZYDECO #99 Other stories: Stringbreak festival schedule April 8–10; Festival International to be held virtually; Sharon Stern reviews Cray Cray in the Hatch inaugural crawfish fais do-do held March 19-21 at Fiddler’s Restaurant in Steinhatchee; featured Typefaces: IBM Plex Sans and IBM Plex Serif; GoTonight.com:A few live and streaming music events in the central Florida area.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #98 feature story is on Terrance Simien. Music review of Corey Ledet’s 14th album, and news on three festivals (one is canceled). Enjoy!
Excerpt: “Paul Simon was researching zydeco music for his album, Graceland,” Simien said. “My band was one of three Simon took in the studio, and we were all teenagers.”
Carnival in the Netherlands is always a big party. With no carnival at all this year, this was found in de garden of Jo van Strien his house. Jo is the accordeon player of River Zydeco Band. In local dialect you can read “I am only playing for ‘her’ behind this kitchen door”.
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update #97
This month’s featured artist is Leroy Thomas.
Other stories include: Sean Ardoin runs for mayor of Lake Charles; Rosie Ledet has a new band; Jourdan Thibodeaux and Cedric Watson team up; Louisiana Travel invites you to explore the Cajun music genre; promoters are moving forward with plans for live music festivals in the spring; Charter typeface is featured in this issue; remembering the IBM Selectric Composer; correspondence from readers.
If you’ve got a an idea for a future story, let me know. Already is the works are feature stories for March and April.
23-010-2021 I mailed Klaus-D. Haettich from the German Cajun Band MaCajun: “I had no gigs with MaCajun since last april. But at Sunday, 31.1.21 we play live in a streaming concert. Since 23 years we play on a Skiffle-Festival in an wonderful location called “Fabrik” in Hamburg. I’m one of the 3 founders for this festival in my Skiffletime and played there each year with MaCajun. There will be each year about 800 visitors. And this year live streamed with only 3 groups. And you have to pay nothing, cause we’ve got a good sponsor. www.skifflefestival.de and live www.streammax.de MaCajun plays at 12.00 a clock high noon
Welcome to 2021. Glad you could make it!
Feature story this issue is on Yvette Landry. Also check out the live music New Year’s Celebrations options on page 3 (some are streaming live, but most are in-person), and “On the Horizon in 2021” on the last page.
I hope 2021 is a good year for us all.
Regards, Jim Hance
2021 Cajun Zydeco Calendar
Happy holidays! Here is a 12-month calendar (FORMATTED TO 8.5″ x 11″) featuring images and brief biographies of Cajun and zydeco artists who have been featured in Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! Artists include Chubby Carrier, Steve Riley, Leon Chavis, Bonsoir Catin, Curley Taylor, Feufollet, Chris Ardoin, Wilson Savoy, Nathan Williams Jr.., Roddie Romero, Keith Frank and Geno Delafose.
This mailing does not replace the monthly Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! Issue #96 for January 2021 will have the longest feature story yet, and will arrive in your email by January 1st. I am still adding content, so there is still time to send me a story or comment to be included.
Regards, Jim Hance Go view the calendar
2021 will be a fresh start for Houston Tx star Corey Ledet, we’ve just got the news he will release a brand new album, ….
On there YouTube channel British band the Zydeco Diamonds published 3 zydeco songs, here’s on of them, …
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update #95 is live.
It’s been more than two decades since Beau Jocque left us, yet his influence on the genre of zydeco music is still here. I found numerous stories and reviews by Beau Jocque’s producer Scott Billington, author Michael Tisserand, and others, and I weaved them all together into one story on the Zydeco Giant. I wanted to honor Billington and Tisserand for sharing their experiences of Beau Jocque, and include them as characters in the story.
Also in this issue are some reflections on the pandemic that closed down social dance events worldwide, how Louisiana places got their names, the designers behind the typefaces used in this issue, a new Cajun and zydeco music radio program starting in France, and more. read on
Avez-vous des nouvelles à signaler, faites-le nous savoir ou utilisez l’option de réaction
12-11-2020 FDL radio 100.4
- Demain, je suis invité à faire de la publicité pour mon nouveau programme à la radio, c’est vendredi 13, peu importe, …
- Tomorrow I’m invited to advertise my new program on the radio, it’s Friday the thirteenth, who cares, …
- Morgen ben ik uitgenodigd mijn programma voor te stellen op de radio, het is dan vrijdag de 13de, maakt niet uit, …
Florida Cajun Zydeco Update! #94
Feature story this month is on Preston Frank, Patriarch of the Frank Clan. Musicians in the Frank family go back to before sound recordings, and Preston Frank’s grandfather was a fiddle player with Dennis McGee (who accompanied Amede Ardoin on the first phonograph recording of Acadiana music in 1929). As famous as his son, Keith Frank, has been, Preston has probably played more festivals than anyone else in the family. Preston Frank plays accordion and has been accompanied by some of the best Cajun and Creole fiddle players: Carlton Frank, Ed Poullard and Kevin Wimmer.
“I don’t play that new zydeco or Acadian music. I play Creole zydeco. It’s in between both of them. It’s got a good drive and a good swing to it,” says Preston Frank.
No. 93 — October 2020
Read Issue 93 and download a .PDF
Feature artist: Wayne Toups
68 Pages: Feature story on Wayne Toups. Other stories: Lafayette’s favorite festival goes virtual; Festivals Acadiens et Creoles 2020 schedule; Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band to headline Nov. 14 Riverhawk Festival in Dade City, Florida; memories of Willis Prudhomme, Victor Feldman on Cannonball Adderley’s Poll-Winners album; End of an era? Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa closed; Live shows at the Palladium.
Excerpt: “There’s a lot of people that are upset at my decision,” he said. “You can’t make everybody happy. But we certainly had a good shot at doing that.” — Tom White
No. 92 — September 2020
Read Issue 92 and download a PDF
Feature story is « The Irrepressible Sean Ardoin »
68 Pages: La Poussiere Cajun Dance Hall live streaming concerts; Pine Leaf Boys pre-release copy of new studio album, « Traveling Man, » now on sale on at paypal.me/pineleafboys; Louisiana bicycle tours; Festivals Acadiens et Créoles goes virtual for 2020; Houston’s zydeco culture; a memory of pre-pandemic dancing days by Dan Duerr; music releases « Avenue Man » by Dr. Zog and « Same Old Me » by Dennis Stroughmatt; featured typeface this issue: Teramo.
Excerpt: « It is indeed sad that 80 years after the death of Amédé Ardoin that other blacks continue to be killed because elements of society hate them for the color of their skin. »
No. 91 — August 2020
Read Issue 91 and download a PDF
Feature story is « Roddie Romero and the Lafayette Sound. »
Almost Like Being There has been updated with links to live streaming performances and Facebook posts of the past week. Album Releases includes notes on albums from The Mavericks, Ann Savoy and Jane Vidrine, Sean Ardoin, Waylon Thibodeaux, Sweet Cecilia, Michael Doucet, T’Monde, Leon Chavis, and a 10-CD compilation, Cajun & Zydeco Milestones of Legends. Bios on Clifton Chenier, Harry Choates, Hackberry Ramblers, Iry LeJeune, Leo Soileau, Amédé Ardoin, Dennis McGee, Lawrence Walker and Dewey Balfa.
Excerpt: “The passage of the Roddie Romero Bill allowed future members of his band to perform before reaching legal drinking age, and the change in the law benefited many other young performers who were able to perform in public places and make names for themselves like Hunter Hayes, Trombone Shorty, Amanda Shaw, and Cedric Watson.”
No. 90 — July 2020
Read Issue 90 and download a PDF
Featured artist: Lil’ Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers
Featured artist in this issue is Lil’ Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers. Featured typeface for issue #90 is Scotch, a new typeface based an 18th century typeface. Stories include « Pandemic Disruption » about Skipper’s Smokehouse closing temporarily as a safety precaution from spreading the pandemic; « Perfect Balance » about the new online radio station featuring a mix of zydeco, R&B and blues music; « Dancing to the Slow Ones » about the nightclub two step and its origins in the 1960s; steaming live performances featured at GoTonight.com; and the feature story « Lil’ Nate: The Cyrus Chestnut of Zydeco? »
Excerpt: “When I played ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ yesterday,” Chestnut explained to Geoffrey Himes, “I used that Erroll Garner thing of playing a lot of different quotes in the introduction before I settled on the main theme. If you heard me play it today, it would be different than it was yesterday, and next week it would be different again. I always keep myself open to any last-minute inspiration because I thrive in the realm of spontaneity. »
No. 89 — June 2020
Read Issue 89 and download a .pdf
Featured artist: The Revelers
Featured artist is The Revelers. Featured typeface in this issue is Elkes.
Excerpt: “His droning, forceful playing on ‘Please Baby Please’ drives that song forward like on overnight hauler transporting a load well over the limit: pedal to the floor and eyes in the mirror.”
No. 88 — May 2020
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Featured artist: Keith Frank
Louisiana music online, popular performance videos, Keith Frank on The Pulse of Zydeco, and remembering Roy Carrier.
Excerpt: “I googled ‘nouveau zydeco’ and the first result listed was ‘Nouveau Zydeco: Keith Frank Gets It On,’ a 1995 story for OffBeat magazine by Michael Tisserand.”
No. 87 — April 2020
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Featured artists: Fernest Arceneaux, Rockin’ Sidney
Germs on the Dance Floor, Sean Ardoin videos during social distancing, Nathan and Zydeco Cha Chas live streaming performance on Friday April 3, new music from Lil’ Nate and Chris Ardoin released in March, Fernest Arceneaux, « Prince of Zydeco » and Rockin’ Sidney and the best selling zydeco song of all time.
Excerpt: “Well, I don’t speak French,” admitted Simien, “so what I’m hearing is, “Blah-blah-blah-blah-toot-toot.”
No. 86 — March 2020
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Featured artists: Feufollet, Nooney and the Zydeco Floaters
The Crazy Fire of Feufollet, Revisiting Nooney and the Zydeco Floaters. WMNF’s Rockabilly Ruckus at Skipper’s, Cadillac Cowboys at Brady’s BBQ, Cajun Zydeco Dance at Sauced in Largo, and Cajun Zydeco Dance at Skipper’s in Tampa. Louisiana dance clubs, Festival-O-Rama, and dancing outside Florida and Louisiana.
Excerpt: “As Feufollet was in the process of organically developing a new sound, Edmiston received an offer she felt she couldn’t refuse—to join Cavalia, a Montreal-based, equestrian-oriented, traveling extravaganza. Basically, she ran away to join the circus. A hard exit to top,and not an easy act to follow.”
No. 85 — February 2020
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Featured artists: Kevin Wimmer, Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys
Kevin Wimmer: Lost in a Cajun Reverie; Terry Domingue of Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys; Louisiana Dance Clubs, Sauced Bar & Pizzeria; Cadillac Cowboys at Brady’s BBQ.
Excerpt: “There is something about the feeling we have playing there [Festivals Acadien], which has to do with being Dewey’s festival and falling in that tradition.” — Kevin Wimmer
No. 84 — January 2020
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Feature: Jeffery Broussard: Exploring the Traditions of Zydeco
C.J. Chenier at Delray Beach and Tampa this weekend, Cajun Zydeco Dance at Sauced on Jan. 10, Cajun Zydeco Dance at Skipper’s Smokehouse on Jan. 21, Tab Benoit at Skipper’s Smokehouse on Jan. 17 & 18, Gumbo Fest at Shell Factory in North Fort Myers featuring Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers and The Porchdogs on Jan. 26, Gumbo Limbo Cajun Band in Gainesville on Feb. 9, Louisiana Dance Clubs, Festival-O-Rama, and Facebook Feed of 2020 New Year’s celebrations.
Excerpt: “The Creole music scene in Louisiana is still going. However, with the new generation of music and younger musicians adding their own zest to the music, I’m afraid it will lose its authenticity as the younger artists are adding more hip-hop and less accordion, so my goal is to keep the tradition and culture going, not by preserving the music but by performing and promoting it!” — Jeffery Broussard
Hi Henk,
Great to have include my info about zydeco and cajun down under in Australia.
Here are a couple of youtube videos of our Sydney band SqueezeBox Boogaloo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TmdQWuJJms: – “Zydeco Boogaloo” then one of our originals “Lets go down to the Mardi Gras”
Here’s one I wrote called “Eating out in New Orleans” mentioning some of my favourite New Orleans restaurants
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=squeezebox+boogaloo+eating+out+in+new+orleans#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:075487e8,vid:HFs85u8hSDE,st:0
and one called Bondi Zydeco Night – Bondi Beach is a famous beach in Sydney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG78K4HxNT0
All the best, Geoff, SqueezeBox Boogaloo