Celebrating the Birthday of Buckwheat Zydeco

Legendary accordionist and zydeco musician Stanley “Buckwheat Zydeco” Dural, Jr, was born on November 14, 1947, in Lafayette, Louisiana. One of 13 children, he worked on a farm picking cotton at age five, and got his nickname due to his braided hair resembling that of the “Our Gang/The Little Rascals” character Buckwheat. His father was a skilled amateur Creole accordion player, but young Dural preferred rhythm and blues. He became proficient at the organ, and by the late 1950s he was backing Joe Tex, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and many others. He originally led a funk band for five years before joining iconic zydeco performer Clifton Chenier’s Red Hot Louisiana Band as organist in 1976. After that, he was enthusiastic about zydeco, took up the accordion in 1978, and started his own band under the name Buckwheat Zydeco a year later. By 1983, they were nominated for a Grammy, and another in 1984, 1985, and 1986, finally winning in 2009 for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album, “Lay Your Burden Down”, his final album.

Dural performed with numerous musicians including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, Paul Simon Dwight Yoakam and Ry Cooder. His music has been featured in films and television, and he won an Emmy for his music in the CBS TV movie Pistol Pete: The Life And Times Of Pete Maravich. He maintained an extensive touring schedule, and played many major music festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (numerous times), Chicago Blues Festival, Newport Folk Festival, San Diego Street Scene, Montreux Jazz Festival, the Voodoo Experience, and countless others. Sadly, Dural died of lung cancer at age 68 on September 24, 2016. This day we celebrate the birthday of a legend of Louisiana music, Buckwheat Zydeco!

Photo by: HorsePunchKid

Tab Benoit at Saint Rocke on 10/23/19

One of the most impressive guitarists to emerge from the rich Bayous of Southern Louisiana in recent years, Tab Benoit’s guitar tone can be recognized before his Otis-Redding-ish voice resonates from the speakers. He doesn’t rely on any effects and his set up is simple. It consists of a guitar, cord, and Category 5 Amplifier. The effects that you hear come from his fingers.

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival - 10/18-20/2019

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is an award-winning event, with two stages of music, a dozen of the best barbecue vendors in the region and a huge arts market. The 14th edition of this community celebration of Southern soul is bound to be one for the record books. Admission is free! This is, after all, an event produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation – the nonprofit that owns Jazz Fest and uses the proceeds from that world-famous festival for free, year-round programs in education, economic development and cultural enrichment.

Houma guitar hero Tab Benoit, the legacy-continuing Allman-Betts Band, R&B “swing” singer Tucka, slide guitar maestro Sonny Landreth, soul belter Erica Falls, harmonica ace Johnny Sansone, guitar shredder Jonathon Boogie Long, gospel legends the Zion Harmonizers and New Orleans blues favorite Little Freddie King are just a few of the great artists who will perform. Don’t miss it!

Happy Birthday, Jerry Lee Lewis! 9/29

Singer songwriter and pianist Jerry Lee Lewis was born on September 29, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. Known by his nickname, The Killer, Lewis has been described as "rock & roll's first great wild man.” His 1957 rock n roll hit "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" achieved worldwide fame for Lewis. Hits "Great Balls of Fire", "Breathless" and "High School Confidential" followed, but his career faltered in the years after his 1958 marriage to his third wife, Myra Gale Brown, his 13-year-old cousin. Lewis’ live performances became increasingly wild and energetic, and his 1964 live album Live at the Star Club, Hamburg, is regarded by many as one of the wildest and greatest live rock albums. In 1968, Lewis transitioned to country music, reigniting his career and resulting in chart-topping country-western hits. Lewis continues to release albums and tour worldwide. He has a dozen gold records in both rock and country, and has won several Grammy awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Happy birthday, Killer!

By By photographer:Maurice Seymour, Chicago. (eBay item photo front photo back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons - File:Jerry Lee Lewis 1950s.JPG, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47369105

Happy Birthday, Terrance Simien!

Two-time GRAMMY award winning artist Terrance Simien was born on September 3, 1965, in Mallet, Louisiana. He is not just a zydeco musician, vocalist and songwriter, the 8th generation Louisiana Creole is one of the most accomplished and respected artists in American roots music. Simien and his group have toured internationally, presenting over 9000 live performances in more than 45 countries, and released dozens of solo recordings and collaborations. He has shared studio and stage with the likes of Paul Simon, Dr. John, The Meters, Marcia Ball, Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Robert Palmer and the roots rockers Los Lobos. Happy Birthday, Terrance!

Photo by Carl Lender - https://www.flickr.com/photos/clender/2245538727/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7417038