Issue Articles
Jazz Fest 2013 Focus:
Johnette Downing
Call it a match made in roots music heaven. Scott Billington, a two-time Grammy producer with Rounder Records, has recorded more than 100 CDs of Louisiana music, ranging from Cajun […]
Jazz Fest 2013 Focus: Queen Ida
It’s a tough task to excite a musician who’s performed in 45 countries, appeared in movies and shared the stage and studio with Paul Simon, Robert Palmer and other stars. […]
Mercy Brothers: Gospel with a Little Bit of Pro Wrestling
Kevin Sekhani has fond memories of Mid-South Wrestling. In early 1980s Louisiana and Mississippi, the pro wrestling show was a TV ratings bonanza, leaving all but the true believers wondering […]
Holding Court with The Band Courtbouillon
Pop quiz: How many accordion players does it take to screw in a light bulb? Three — one to screw it in and two to say they could do it […]
Former Landmark Houses Zydeco Hall of Fame
Careers have begun and ended at Richard’s Club, a zydeco roadhouse built in 1947 in the St. Landry parish hamlet of Lawtell. Grammy winners Clifton Chenier, Rockin’ Sidney, Terrance Simien […]
C.J. Chenier on the Grammys: A Musical Jambalaya
C.J. Chenier congratulates the Rebirth Brass Band on their win February 12 at the 54th Grammys in Los Angeles, but he’s no fan of the new category, Best Regional Roots […]
Some Rhode Island Lagniappe for Mamou Playboy Kevin Dugas
Rhode Island celebrates Mardi Gras this month by coming to the rescue of a veteran Cajun musician. The Friends of Kevin Dugas Krewe, a new Carnival group based in Cranston, […]
The Grammy Awards: Everything vs. Everything Else
“And the Grammy in the Category of Contradiction and Confusion goes to ….” That announcement would be made at next month’s Grammys if zydeco music veteran Terrance Simien had his […]
Step-N-Strut Trail Ride: Too Many Steps?
Trail rides were once the best-kept secrets in zydeco. Now, google “zydeco trail ride” and the first result comes from, ironically, The New York Times. Travel writer Shaila Dewan waxes […]
Excello Reunion of All-Star Swamp Blues Legends
Most of the featured artists had to sit in a chair once they wobbled their way to the spotlight at center stage. Some talked about their strokes, a bad leg, […]
