Welcome to Issue #59
of FloridaCajunZydeco.com Update!
for December 2017
This newsletter showcases dance events from the FloridaCajunZydeco.com website and publishes articles not on the website pages. We welcome Chubby Carrier to Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa on Friday, Dec. 1. Join us on the first and third Tuesday of the month (Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 this month) at Caddy's in downtown St. Petersburg for a Cajun Zydeco Dance 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Updated on FloridaCajunZydeco.com: festival listings for 2018. The exact address of this page is
http://www.floridacajunzydeco.com/festivals.html. Keep in mind most festivals have not yet announced their band lineups, and some have not even posted exact dates, so the festival listings are a work-in-progress throughout the year. The feature story for this month is on Horace Trahan. We're on Facebook in Groups (Florida Cajun Zydeco Dancers) and with our own Facebook Page (Florida Cajun Zydeco). Check us out and "Like" us to see the posts and reminders throughout the week. This is a good way to get your Cajun and zydeco fix between newsletters. FloridaCajunZydeco.com loves to
travel — in your pocket on your smart phone. Check the website for dance information wherever your travels take you. Regards, Jim Hance
Publisher, FloridaCajunZydeco.com
Fri. Dec. 1 -- Chubby Carrier at Skipper's
8 p.m. at Skipper's Smokehouse. Gumbo Boogie Band opens (time not shown) / Chubby Carrier @ 8 p.m. at Skippers Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL 33613 $10/$13. www.skipperssmokehouse.com Chubby Carrier is undeniably “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman.” Born on July 1, 1967 in Churchpoint, Louisiana, Chubby is the third generation of zydeco artists with such
famous relatives as Roy Carrier (father), Warren Carrier (grandfather), and cousins Bebe and Calvin Carrier who are presently considered legends in zydeco history. Chubby began his musical career at the age of 12 by playing drums with his father’s band. He began playing the accordion at the age of 15. By age 17, Chubby had begun to play with Terrance Siemien and toured the world for 2 1/2 years, before forming his own band in 1989. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band have recorded ten CDs over the past 22 years of Chubby’s professional career. His band has traveled all over the world, performing to audiences in all parts of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada. North Africa and Europe. Chubby and the band travel 150-175 days a year, taking his act to big festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Chicago Blues Fest. Summerfest (Milwaukee), Memphis
in May, and several festivals in Europe. Chubby has also done guest appearances on recordings for Tab Benoit, 6Was9, and Jimmy Thackery. Ann Wilson of the group Heart encourages Chubby to “continue the great sound that you have. This sound will take you places.”
First + Third Tuesdays --- Cajun Zydeco Dance at Caddy's on Central (St. Petersburg)
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 5
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 19 Good mix of danceable music by Cajun and zydeco artists that give you that instant lift as soon as the music starts to play. We're in the lounge with a wood dance floor at Caddy's. Caddy's on Central is around the corner from Ringside Cafe and Jannus Landing. Stop by early for a quick introduction to the dances. I am playing some classics and some new tunes just released this past year. We're a very sociable crowd, so stop by and get to know us. No cover charge and drink specials the first hour. Great food. Info on these dances and others at: www.FloridaCajunZydeco.com
Saturday Dec. 30 and Sunday Dec. 31
Donna The Buffalo at Skipper's Smokehouse (Tampa)
Annual end-of-the-year two-night party with Donna the Buffalo @ 8 p.m. at Skippers Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL 33613 $25/$40 Donna the Buffalo is a band from Trumansburg, New York. They play both originals (primarily written by Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins) and covers. The band name was suggested as "Dawn of the Buffalo" by a musician friend of the band; it was misheard as "Donna the Buffalo", and over twenty years later they are still "Donna
the Buffalo". The followers of the group are called The Herd, a self-organized "tribe" of people who met at the group's festivals. Tickets available at www.skipperssmokehouse.com
Each year Chuck Taggart writes a summary of the top music releases of the year. It gets posted to his website gumbopages.com with stories extolling the culture of Louisiana. In 1996, Chuck rated the works of the day by some artists I happen to like: Beau Jocque had just released Gonna Take You Downtown CD; Richard Thompson had come out with the You? Me? Us? album; Jerry Garcia and David Grisman released Shady Grove; Steve Earle had produced I Feel Alright; and Balfa Toujours released their third album, Deux Voyages. That year, Chuck's #5 pick for best release of the year was Ossun Blues by Horace Trahan: "Horace Trahan made this record when he was 18 years old, and on it he sounds like a 60-year-old man. In traditional Cajun
music, there is hardly higher praise. This is Cajun music in its purest form, in a style directly descended from the great Nathan Abshire. Horace also composes new songs that fit right into the tradition, and with musicians like him, the future of Cajun music is assured." Other sources state Trahan was twenty when the Ossun Blues was released, but one thing was clear: an incredible music talent was emerging on the scene in 1996. And he's got his own voice.
Trahan Immerses Himself in Cajun French
In the story about Horace Trahan that was making the rounds (as related by reviewer Linda Seida in the New York Times), the Cajun singer and accordion player took an incident from Louisiana's history, gave it a twist of his own, and used it to teach himself a second language. The historical event in question began around the 1920s, when young Cajuns in the state were denied the right to speak the language of their heritage, a unique blend known as Cajun French. A law was laid down that said children could not speak the language at school. English-only was the rule of the day for all children, despite the fact that many of them had never spoken it before and had grown up in homes where only Cajun French was spoken. The theory was that such a complete and total immersion would better help them learn English, and so better prepare
them to face the English-speaking world that awaited them. A side effect, however, was that this turn of events made being Cajun something to be looked down upon. Unlike today, when Cajun music and food are "in," back then it was especially uncool to be Cajun.
Trahan, not nearly old enough to remember that time, drew on the pride he felt for his heritage and set out to learn French. He devised his own language immersion program, speaking nothing but French until he learned it. Today, Trahan sings in both English and French, and he also composes in both English and French. Ossun Blues, his first album, includes lyrics in both languages. His soulful style drew comparisons to Iry LeJeune. Trahan grew up in Ossun, LA, not far from Lafayette. Felix Richard, his second cousin, gave him instruction on the accordion. Felix
Richard is also credited with teaching Zachary Richard.
Horace purchased his first guitar at the age of twelve and played the saxophone in the fifth grade. It was when he began to sing and play his single row accordion that the musical magic began. Horace was sixteen years old when he began singing Cajun music in French and in English. Not long after graduating from Carencro High, Horace hit the road and began touring with D.L. Menard, the Cajun Hank Williams. The road schedules would take the talented eighteen year-old musician to New York, Boston, Chicago, Canada, France, California, and the summer Olympics in Atlanta. Two years later, in 1996, Horace and D.L. Menard recorded a CD on Swallow Records. During this time, at the age of twenty, Horace also recorded Ossun Blues on the same label. Horace’s music found an immediate audience, and he formed the band, The Ossun Express. The band consisted of an accordion, fiddle, guitar, bass, drums, and sometimes a triangle. The Ossun Express never recorded, but played many local venues and festivals. In the year 2000, Horace created a band with all new members and named this band The New Ossun Express. Horace Trahan and The New Ossun Express recorded Trahan's second album entitled, Get On Board, on the Zydeco Hound label. In 2001 they followed up with his third album, Reach Out and Touch a Hand (which was re-released as That Butt Thing about three years later). Having built his reputation recording for Swallow and Zydeco Hound, Trahan took a turn producing and publishing
his own albums. Keep Walking, came out in August 2010; Christmas In Every Way EP came out in December 2011; and All The Way came out in August 2012. In April of 2012, Horace Trahan was called to collaborate with the Canadian electro hip-hop band, Radio Radio on two tracks for their third album, Havre de Grace. That album won best hip-hop album at the ADISQ 2012 Awards and the East-Coast Music Awards 2012.
By Special Request, released on Maison de Soul Records in November of 2013, is an album of cover tunes honoring Trahan's many influences including Iry LeJeune, Aldus Roger, Lawrence Walker, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, Wayne Toups, John Delafose, Boozoo Chavis, Beau Jocque, Clifton Chenier, Bob Marley, and Bob Dylan. Dan Willging wrote this review of By Special Request for New Orleans' Offbeat when the album came out: After two thought-provoking, full-length albums and a Christmas EP, Horace Trahan does an about face with a baker’s dozen worth of predominantly covers—his most requested live tunes that span
zydeco, Cajun, swamp pop, New Orleans Mardi Gras classics, R&B and country. Zydeco-ized renditions of Cajun chestnuts “Midland Two-Step” and “The Back Door” are blood-pumping exhilarating while Clifton Chenier's “Zydeco Sont Pas Sale” is an old-fashioned stomp down featuring father-in-law Rodney Bernard’s insane rubboard scraping. Several zydeco selections smoke but what can be more fun than the thought of priests, nuns and the repo man all throwing it down on “On the One (Love to Zydeco).” “Seven Spanish Angels,” a 1984 top-10 hit by Willie Nelson and Ray Charles, is the most out-of-the-box selection here, an interesting concoction of Tex-Mex and swamp pop. At this point, the popular Horace Trahan & the Ossun Express probably didn’t need to solidify its devoted fan base any further but such a fan friendly
gesture never hurts either." Most recently Trahan has recorded singles, including political commentary on "The Government's Been Dirty Since Day One" in 2016.
The band includes Horace's father-in-law Rodney Bernard. Rodney has enjoyed an extensive career from playing with "the Prince of Zydeco" Fernest Arceneaux, Lynn August and Thomas "Big Hat" Fields to fashioning his own band, Rodney and the All Stars. Rodney's son, Shane Bernard, plays drums, and has backed Boozoo Chavis, Roy Carrier, Corey Arceneaux, and Thomas "Big Hat" Fields over the past 25 years. James Prejean plays bass and has also been a part of the Creole Farmers, Nathan Williams, Roy Carrier and Thomas "Big Hat" Fields bands. Doug Garb adds to the melody on saxophone, flute and
harmonica, and has contributed his sound to the Warren Storm, Danny Leal and Travis Matte bands. Gabriel Perrodin Jr. rounds out the band on guitar, and his resume includes stints with the greats: Beau Jocque, Geno Delafose, Zydeco Force, Leroy Thomas, Carriers Roy, Chubby, and Troy, Dwayne Dopsie, Corey Ledet and Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys.
His Message of Love and Tolerance
At a time when terrorism is an almost constant refrain in the news, when hate and division has gripped national and local politics, and groups of people are targeted in inflammatory political rhetoric because of their religion, heritage, politics, sex or sexual orientation, a strong voice for love and compassion is needed. That's the voice of Horace Trahan, no doubt molded by his own experiences. I've heard that when Trahan began transitioning from playing traditional Cajun to zydeco, he received death threats. Lots of things seem to divide us, and Horace Trahan has taken up the cause to bring people together. In "Keep Walking," Trahan seems to say there is no way to combat hate with hate, so turn the other cheek and seek a higher ground: If you love your brother, who always loves you back. What credit is that to you if you ain’t never cutting me no slack? Ain’t we all in the same boat, so please don’t rock the ship. When we look down on each other, we ain’t nothing but some hypocrites, but one thing we can do. The only thing we can do. We gonna’ keep walking. Keep walking, and keep on walking. We ain’t never looking back. Pushing, keep on pushing but don’t let em’ push you down cause they’re nothing but a bunch of Pharisees and Sadducees and it’s so sad to see such hypocritical tendencies in the people in the world today. We gotta’ keep on walking. In "Guilty Till Proven Innocent," points out the reality that people always judge others before they know the truth
about those people. Trahan sings this song from the point of view of the judged: They say I’m guilty, till proven innocent. They say I’m guilty, till proven innocent. Then every day I see, my fellow inmates and me. You know that we are waiting, to be set free. You know they like their power. Control of the people. They’re greedy for their power. Deceiving the people, but all of their power, ain’t nothing but a flower that the lamb will devour because they don’t know the hour. At some point of every Cajun and Zydeco Dance, we have a tradition of always dancing to Horace Trahan's "When Love Takes Over." And the song contains a message that we all need to hear: And there’ll be some
times of doubt, and seems like some trouble that we can’t get out. We’ll have trials and tribulations. It’s hard to remember in every situation. When love takes over makes you feel so high, and you know it’s gonna be just fine. Thank you, Horace Trahan, for re-introducing us through your music to the concepts of love, compassion, kindness and tolerance. Your songs about love aren't sweet, Pollyanna-ish pretend aspirations. They are, rather, brutal indictments of the society we find ourselves in today — divided by class-color-religion, lacking freedom, lacking security, lacking compassion, lacking kindness, lacking tolerance, lacking intelligence, and needing to be fixed. We have more power to fix it than you think. Let's do it.
After release of The Butt Thing (2003): "Hey Cher, be careful listening to this while driving, you might got a speed ticket. Has a good and clean version of 'Uncle Bud.'" "If you like zydeco rhythm with great vocals, this is your pick. Horace Trahan is a genius on the accordion. Entertaining to say the least." "If you enjoy Cajun music you'll want to add this to your collection. It's happy, upbeat, beer drinkin', dancing music! Loved it!!!" "This album has a certain soul to it that is
both hilarious and fantastic. If you like zydeco, you'll love this album. Even for people who aren't keen on the Cajun music, you'll crack a smile over the Butt Thing song. It'll stick in your head and you will love Horace for it." "If you love zydeco, you'll love Horace. Best zydeco sound ever. Good good mix. You'll hear every instrument played. I have every album." "Best Cajun CD I ever bought!" "Being from Cajun country, I grew up with this kind of music. This is one CD you can put your dance shoes on and dance to all night. Buy it! Two thumbs up!!"
Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 --- Gumbo Boogie opens for Chubby Carrier at Skipper's Smokehouse (Tampa), 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL 33613
8 p.m. listed time on the website: skipperssmokehouse.com Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 16, 2017 --- Gumbo Boogie at Capt. Bill's (Treasure Island)
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. --- Jerry Carrier says Gumbo Boogie is playing at Capt. Bill's Beach Kitchen on the first and third Saturdays through 2017. Captain Bill's Beach Kitchen, 145 107th Ave, Treasure Island, FL 33706
Consult website to confirm. Website: https://captbillsbeachkitchen.com/ Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 --- Gumbo Boogie at Ace's Live Music (Bradenton)
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Ace's Live Music, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34209. Website: aceslivemusic.com
Wade Falcon researches and writes blogs on various Cajun subjects: Colonial Spanish of Louisiana, Cajun Accordion Builders, Oddly Louisiana, Life in Acadiana, Early Cajun Music, Germans of Louisiana and Canary Islanders of Louisiana. You can learn more about Wade Falcon at https://www.blogger.com/profile/05663277462772045636 Wade Falcon's Blog: Early Cajun MusicA unique window into the world of Cajun music between 1928 and 1965. Compiled histories from websites, books, news articles, liner notes, and interviews. Most come from my personal 78 collection. Also covering Creole, Cajun-Country, and Cajun
swing. Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 --- Angelas Lejeune became one of the unsung heros of Cajun music who helped propel Dennis McGee into the accordion playing limelight. Growing up around Pointe Noire, Louisiana, he, Dennis and Ernest Fruge teamed up to play as a trio around south Louisiana. During one of his sessions in New Orleans for Brunswick records, he recorded the tune "Valse De La Louisianne". According to Neal Pomea:
One listening to the Vieille Valse de la Louisiane, especially the bridge or "turn," will show what a powerful player he was. Brilliant! Ohh, p’tit bébé, viens-toi-z-avec ton pop, ouais, dans la Louisiane.
Ohh, quittes ta mom pour t’en venir avec ton pop pour finir tous nos jours.
Ohh, gardez-donc comment ton pauvre papan est tout le temps dans les douleurs.
Ohh, quittes ton pop et ta mom pour t’en venir avec ton neg dans la Louisiane.
Ohh, jongle bien, tu vas avoir les misères que je passe pour, malheureuse.
Like many musicians living in south Louisiana, he was a fan of playing music for family. His music was remembered and enjoyed by those that remembered him. According to neighbor and friend Debi Morain:
How well I remember him playing...he always joined us on Christmas Eve and played for our gatherings. When I'd visit, he'd always play and sing for us, sitting outside on his porch. His wife was a 'traiteuse' and treated us for sun and heat strokes. What wonderful memories I have of them and, of course, his music! According to his niece Candance McIntyre:
How I loved his music and his singing and the "get-togethers" we all had as a family. His wife aunt Doris was such a sweet lady and she and my grandmother were the greatest of friends. We would have old time home dancers and that is where I learned to dance and how I love to dance. Listening to this music brings back such warm memories. Oh, little baby, come with your pop, yeh, to Louisiana.
Oh, leave your mom to come with your pop forever.
Oh, so look at that, how your poor papas always in great sorrow.
Oh, leave your pop and your mom, you come with your man to Louisiana.
Oh, remember well, you'll have the same misery which I passed (lived through), oh my. According to Cajun musician and accordion builder, Bryan Lafleur, he states: It's an early version of "Cajun Waltz". I especially love the way he does the turn, which I haven't heard anyone do like him except Michael Doucet in his recording called "Angelas' Waltz", which seemed to be a fiddle copy of Angelas' song.
December 1-2, 2017 --- Balboa Park December Nights (San Diego)
Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 39th consecutive year on Friday, December 2 from 3-11pm and Saturday, December, 3 from noon-11pm. Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5-9pm. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 350,000 visitors to the park over two days to revel and enjoy the season. Each year Bon Temps Social Club and Gator By The Bay host bands at the BTSC dance stage featuring danceable music by Cajun, zydeco, blues, and country bands. A different band takes the stage every hour, and free dance lessons are taught at the band breaks. Website: https://www.balboapark.org/decembernights Dec. 1-3, 2017 --- Bradenton Blues Festival (Bradenton, FL) TICKETS SOLD OUT!
Bands include Chubby Carrier, Joe Louis Walker, Curtis Salgado, Sugar Blue, Nick Moss Band, Vanessa Collier, Sean Chambers Band, Brody Buster, TC Carr, Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones, Damon Fowler and Matt Walker. Congratulations to Bradenton Blues Festival. Website: www.bradentonbluesfestival.org/ Dec. 30-31, 2017 --- Donna The Buffalo at Skipper's Smokehouse (Tampa)
8 p.m. Annual end-of-the-year party at Skipper's with Donna The Buffalo. Tickets $25-$40. Skippers Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL 33613. Website: http://www.skipperssmokehouse.com 2018February 9-12, 2017 --- Sounds of Mardi Gras 2018 (Fresno, CA)
Bands include Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Sister Swing, Brian Casserole, Gator Nation, and various jazz bands. http://www.fresnodixie.com Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. --- Mardi Gras in the Mountains (Red River, NM)
An ever increasing number of Cajuns and Creoles have fled the overgrown chaos of other locales in order to come to this quaint community for a much more intimate celebration. But make no mistake: Red River knows how to celebrate Mardi Gras! Nothing is left out. The week is filled with costume balls, bead tossing, singing and dancing, Cajun and Creole gourmet delights, parades, kids costume contest, Cajun cook-off, burning of the Loup-garu, crawfish boils, downhill gator race, and more! Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more details: Located in the Conference Center, 101 W. River St, Red River, NM 87558. Telephone: (575) 754-2366. Email: rrinfo@redriverchamber.org. Website: http://www.redriverchamber.org February 21-25, 2018 (Not confirmed) --- Virginia Key Grassroots
Festival (Miami)
This listing will be updated with bands as they are announced. Virginia Key Grassroots Festival has included live performances in clubs and venues in the city of Miami by Grassroots and Miami favorites plus music, arts, yoga, beach activities, kids village, food truck roundup and more at historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Website: http://virginiakeygrassroots.com Saturday, February 24, 2018 --- Houston Creole Heritage Festival (Houston)
Noon to 7 p.m. For as long as we can remember, Houston has shared a deep connection with the Creole culture. The mission of the Houston Mardi Gras Festival and Parade is to preserve and celebrate Mardi Gras history; including its unique fusion of African, French, Native American and Spanish cultures. In addition, we plan to welcome and celebrate with those who have decided to relocate to the Bayou City. http://houstoncreolefestival.com/ February 24-25, 2018 --- Clearwater Sea Blues Festival (Clearwater, FL)
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, ZZ Ward, Ana Popovic, Torozo Cannon and others. Free general admission. Coachman Park in Clearwater. Reserved seating purchase: http://www.etix.com/ticket/v/10151. General information: http://www.myclearwaterevents.com/featured-events/sea-blues-festival Feb. 24-25, 2018 — Street Painting Festival (Lake Worth, FL)
More than 100,000 art lovers attend this annual festival over the weekend. With more than 600 artists on the pavement, music on the main stage, restaurants, shops, festival food court and bistro, you’re sure to get caught up with the excitement. Website: http://www.streetpaintingfestivalinc.org Feb. 23 through Mar. 4, 2018 — Festival of the Arts (Boca Raton, FL)
Established in 2007, Festival of the Arts BOCA was designed to promote the cultural arts and to enrich the quality of life of the residents of Boca Raton, North Broward and Palm Beach County. Since its inaugural year, the festival hosted Itzhak Perlman, Renee Fleming, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, and Pat Metheny. The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, West Side Story and Raiders of the Lost Ark have been performed with live orchestra. Artists and speakers this year include T-Bone Burnett and comedian Bill Murray. Website: https://www.festivaloftheartsboca.org
Boudreaux & Thibodeaux were talking one afternoon, and Boudreaux tells Thibodeaux, "You know, I tink I'm ready for a little vacation. But dis year I wants to do sumting different. De las' few years, I took your suggestions about where to go. Three years ago you said I should go to Hawaii, an' I did an' Marie got pregnant. De next year you said to go to de Bahamas. Marie got pregnant again. And last year you told me to go to Tahiti. Sure enough, Marie got pregnant again. Dis year I wants to to someplace cheaper so I can bring her wid me !"
Atlanta Cajun Zydeco AssociationSaturday Jan. 6, 2018 --- Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble Dorothy Benson Center, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30328.
7 p.m. Beginner Dance Lesson
8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Open dancing to Cedryl Ballou & Zydeco Trendsetters
$18 admission / $14 for members Saturday Feb. 3, 2018 --- Dennis Stroughmatt and the Creole Stomp Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association website: http://aczadance.org/Bands usually play at Benson Center, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328; Phone: 404-613-4900. Check website for dance events in Atlanta area at http://aczadance.org/ Houston/Texas Cajun-Zydeco Eventshttp://www.zydecoevents.com/texaszydecoevents.html Southern California Eventshttp://www.icajunzydeco.com
If you missed last month's newsletter...Discover all of the Update! newsletters and feature stories on Cajun and zydeco artists on the "Stories" page at floridacajunzydeco.com/stories.html
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