Zydeco-Cajun Music

C.J. Chenier is the son of Clifton Chenier, known as The King of Zydeco. C.J. was always encouraged to play music and fondly remembers his father purchasing a guitar for him at a very young age. While in school, C.J. began playing the saxophone, which is the instrument he played on stage with his father when the two toured together for nine years. After his father’s passing in 1987, C.J. recorded a tribute album, which inspired him to continue his father’s legacy. Since then, C.J. has been touring around the world and recording the Zydeco music his father created.

Michael Doucet has become an important link to the roots of Cajun music, not only because he has written and performed the musical style since he was 6 years old, but because of the months he spent conducting a geological survey in and around his hometown of Scott, Louisiana. He discovered how the style of music was played differently in various areas and how a popular song, such as "Jolie Blonde" was not only performed in a variety of ways, but even had different words and titles. Michael began playing on his uncle's banjo before discovering the violin and has since learned the m

David Doucet recalls the day his older brother, Michael, left for school. David dashed to pick up Michael’s guitars and taught himself to play. His passion grew the more he listened to artists like Crosby, Still & Nash and later, as suggested by Michael, roots musicians such as Doc Watson and Mississippi John Hurt. Earning a master’s in English at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, David developed a passion for the history of the music he was playing. Joining his brother on stage in 1972, he fell in love with sharing Cajun and Zydeco music with new audiences and telling th

Hunter Hayes, a musical prodigy born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, discovered his passion for music at a tender age. From mastering multiple instruments to crafting heartfelt lyrics, his journey in the country music scene is a testament to his unwavering dedication and a harmonious marriage of talent and tenacity. His grandmother purchased an accordion for Hunter when he was just two years old and his earliest performances included him singing Cajun songs in French, although he never learned the language. While still in middle school, Hunter was writing his own songs and by this ti

Chad Huval puts a whole lot of Creole heritage into his playing. Born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, he received his first accordion from his father as a child. As he grew and developed his musical skills, Chad took notice of many of the older players and spent time learning the roots of Cajun and Zydeco music from them. Both styles originated in southern Louisiana and are heavily based on French and African musical traditions. 2017 Chad joined BeauSoleil, a Cajun band formed by violinist Michael Doucet in 1975. The band has toured many of the states and internationally, yet for Cha

Doug Kershaw is the wild man of Cajun music who has been a powerful ambassador for the musical style around the world for many decades. His passion and high energy performances gained the attention of people who may have otherwise not have been exposed to this native Louisianan's music. Beginning in 1955 he recorded a series of songs for Hickory Records with his younger brother Rusty. The group known as Rusty & Doug had several hits and performed on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as on the Louisiana Hayride where he met young Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, who would become a life

Sonny Landreth was born in Canton, Mississippi and grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, grounding his musical foundation in the blues, jazz, zydeco and rock and roll. He played trumpet in school and switched to guitar in order to play in a rock band with fellow high school friends. One of his bands, Magic, was the first group he put together and specifically wrote songs for, which was a turning point for him. He was hooked on the process of making music and focused on that solely.

Deacon John Moore has been a noted studio musician in New Orleans for decades.  His performance and recordings have not only represented the New Orleans Sound over the years, he has helped define it! Deacon John was very active in the studios of New Orleans in the heyday of R&B and can be heard on hits such as “Land of a 1,000 Dances” by Chris Kenner, “Working In a Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey as well as Ernie K-Doe’s smash hit record, “Mother-In-Law.”  Along the way, Deacon John has collected a few stories as you can imagine as well as the stories behind the songs, which made his

Ernie Vincent played a key role in expanding the role New Orleans played in music on a national and international level. As a songwriter he wrote the funk based songs "Dap Walk" as well as many others based on the blues and zydeco.  "Dap Walk" proved that New Orleans was not just about jazz and the blues.  As a musician he formed his own bands along with backing the likes of Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams and Ernie K-Doe, who all creatively shared their unique New Orleans sound to the world.

Larry Wines grew up in Hawaii, where being the only Caucasian student in his class gave him a unique, immersive exposure to diverse cultures. He learned traditional dances and folk songs from his classmates, shaping an early appreciation for the way music connects people. As an adult, he was drawn to the Folk Music revival, inspired by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Jessye Norman—artists whose songs carried deep social and historical meaning. Larry began writing about music, first privately, then as a political columnist and author.

Buckwheat Zydeco redefined and popularized the Cajun Zydeco movement in America and around the World. In doing so, he brought positive attention to the accordion. The instrument’s reputation had suffered greatly beginning in the late 1960s; however, pockets of creative and innovative musicians fought to change that. One such performer was Clifton Chenier. This pioneering Zydeco king was influential for a long list of next generation Zydeco masters. As a child, Buckwheat played keyboard and piano and only switched to accordion after leaving Clifton’s band and forming his own in 197