Louisiana Sounds Across the Country

Zydeco Music

Many consider Clifton Chenier as the King and creator of the Zydeco we know today and in some picture you can actually see him wearing a crown. Clifton Chenier has influenced many and has been praised for his musical creativity by many greats across the United States. Nationally known individuals such as Paul Simon, Rory Gallagher, and John Mellencamp have praised Chenier for his musical contributions. He was recognized for his ability to smoothly transition into and out of different key signatures of music. He will forever be remembered as a Louisiana legend and musical genius both in Louisiana and in the United States.
"We went on to and recorded ["Ay-Te Te Fe"] and I've been going ever since...New York, Chicago, Florida, but they had me with a fellow named Lowell Fulson. He had some hit records out. Mine was hit, too, but mostly down here. His was a hit in New York, Chicago...so he was carrying me in New York, but I was carrying him down here. That man showed me how to stand up on the bandstand."
"I've been on the road with pretty near all the artists you can call: Lowell Fulson, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Jim McCracklin, Pee Wee Crayton, T-Bone Walker, Five Royals, The Midnighters, [Etta] 'Eddie' James, Bill Doggett, Ray Charles, Little Richard, me and Jimmy Reed and Chuck Berry. I met everyone you could call, mostly...'Eddie' James? Her name is Etta but I call her Eddie...
I met Etta James in 1955...Went all over Florida, New York, Chicago, everywhere me and Etta James. She stayed with me about a year and something on the road. One time they pulled us over, thought Etta James was a white woman, and wanted to kill us..."
"That blew my mind man," said Multi-Grammy winner David Hidalgo of Los Lobos while he was in east Los Angeles after hearing Clifton Chenier for the first time.~
It was said that Mr. Buckwheat Zydeco was known as the leader of the world's most successful zydeco band. Buckwheat Zydeco and the Ils Sont Partis Band has recorded with Eric Clapton, Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. Mavis staples of the Staple singers was featured on Buckwheat's album and his ensemble opened gigs for U2. Mr. Buckwheat was also featured on Rolling Stone Keith Richard's solo debut. The legend died last year and was and is still remembered all over the country.
Buckwheat performing with the Neville Brothers of New Orleans in Texas.~
Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers, a more modern zydeco group has made some amazing strides in the industry for Louisiana. "Over the years, Lil Nate has opened up concerts for many national recording artists such as Keith Sweat, Tank, New Edition, Dru Hill, and many others. He has graced the stages of Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC..." Lil Nathan even recorded a song with nationally known rapper Kevin Gates which received national airplay. In 2008, Lil Nathan received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. "A master of the single note and triple row accordion, Lil Nate currently serves as an instructor for UL’s “traditional music” program which is part of the Dr. Tommy Comeaux Endowed Chair in Traditional Music."~

Grammy winner Wayne Toups, also known as the Cajun Springsteen, has been around the US and around the world. Above Wayne Toups shared Cajun field with ULL's Pride of Acadiana Marching
Band. "His songs have been heard on such film soundtracks as Steel Magnolias and Dirty Rice. Always in demand for session work in his native Louisiana, Wayne Toups has also been hired to back the British pop artist Thomas Dolby as well as many of the stars of Nashville, including Alan Jackson (“Little Bitty”), Clay Walker (“Live, Laugh, Love”), Mark Chesnutt (“It Sure Is Monday” and “Gonna Get a Life”), Sammy Kershaw."~
 

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