EVERY FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY in St. Petersburg you can find us dancing at Enigma to some of the best Cajun and zydeco tunes. Details below, and I hope to see you there! Believe me, it's fun!

If you cannot find a dance event in your area on the FloridaCajunZydeco.com website calendar, it’s a great time to make those plans for an extended road trip or catch a flight out of town. The fabulous festival season is in full swing! I include some brief biographies of many of the top talent pictured above each event which I hope you enjoy. And check www.FloridaCajunZydeco.com for other festival listings later in the season.

Also, we're on Facebook in Groups (Florida Cajun Zydeco Dancers) and with our own Page (Florida Cajun Zydeco). Check us out and "Like" us to see the posts and reminders throughout the week. FloridaCajunZydeco.com loves to travel and fits neatly in your pocket on your smart phone.

I will see you soon on the dance floor.

Regards, Jim Hance

5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Enigma, 1110 Central Avenue, St. Pete 33705. Dance 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Happy Hour pricing on some drinks throughout the dance, and no cover charge. Hungry? You're welcome to bring food in from Ricky P's across the street, or Bodega's or Red Mesa Mercado (they have the menus at Enigma). Park in the "free" orange lots in map on the FloridaCajunZydeco.com calendar. Two hour restrictions on diagonal parking on Central, so park in one of the lots, and if there is an attendant just tell him you are going to Enigma for zydeco dancing.

Remember, FloridaCajunZydeco.com loves to dance, so bring it along on your smart phone!

May 1-3, 2015 --- Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival (Breaux Bridge, Louisiana)
THE CRAWFISH FESTIVAL in Parc Hardy, Breaux Bridge, LA has become one of the largest gatherings of world famous Cajun and zydeco musicians. All weekend long you can hear the sound of authentic Cajun, zydeco and swamp pop music rising from the festival. The dancing starts at 5:15 p.m. on Friday and winds down at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Bands on Friday, May 1: Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco, Horace Trahan & The New Ossun Express, Bon Soir Catin, Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars, Hunter Courville Cajun Fever and High Performance. Bands on Saturday, May 2: Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie, Nathan Williams & the Zydeco /cha /chas, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Family Band, Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin Cajuns, Travis Matte & the Kingpins, Wayne & Same Ol’ Two Step, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Jambalaya with special guest D.L. Mend, Nik-L-Beer, Huval Family Band, and Cedryl Ballou and the Zydeco Trendsetters. Bands on Sunday, May 3: Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, Corey Ledet, Cajun Stompers, Warren Storm and Forest Huval Band.

CHUBBY CARRIER and the Bayou Swamp Band is the hottest zydeco act around. The son of one of the most prominent band leaders of a previous generation of zydeco bands, and headlining major Cajun-zydeco festivals across the country for the past twenty years, Chubby Carrier has a also been recognized with a Grammy Award for his release Zydeco Junkie. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band serve up the zydeco gumbo. Mixing the traditional accordion and washboard farmhouse porch boogie of the Cajun prairie with dashes of 70s funk, the spices of classic R&B, and refreshing, swampy twists on classic songs as only authentic Louisiana ambassadors can do.

CHRIS ARDOIN was a child prodigy belonging to a musical dynasty (his father was Lawrence Ardoin and his grandfather, Bois Sec Ardoin). His older brother is Gospel zydeco artist Sean Ardoin. He started with the accordion at the age of two and grew up listening to zydeco only for the most part until he was in his teens. When he was just ten he formed the Double Clutchin' zydeco band with his elder brother Sean Ardoin on drums and vocals. Double Clutchin went on to produce seven albums. In 2005 Chris changed the name of the band to NuStep, and has released a number of albums including MVP, VIP, Alter Ego, Headliner, Sweat and his latest Back Home. Chris Ardoin’s music is very popular among our dancers, particularly “Ol Shine”, “Get Gone” and “Rumors”.

WAYNE TOUPS was born into a family of rice farmers in Crowley, Louisiana. He first picked up an accordion when he was 13 and quickly began winning local accordion contests. Toups has combined Cajun music, zydeco, R&B, and rock into a genre he calls Zydecajun which he sings in both English and French. Toups began gaining popularity in the United States around 1984 when he began performing at local festivals such as the Festivals Acadiens in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Cajun French Music Association's awarded him their "Song of the Year" Award in 1991 for his song "Late in Life." His 1995 release, Back to the Bayou became the fastest-selling record ever for the independent Louisiana label Swallow Records. Besides playing his own music, Toups has been featured playing the accordion on singles for many country music stars including Mark Chesnutt #1 hit "It Sure Is Monday", on Clay Walker's "Live Laugh Love", and Alan Jackson's "Little Bitty." Check out his live performance at 2009 JazzFest “The Back Door” on iTunes which starts out with a with a Joe Walsh guitar riff from “Funk #49". How can you not love this guy?

Driving? Distance to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana from Miami is 960 miles (13.5 hours), from Tampa is 760 miles (10.5 hours), or from Tallahassee is 480 miles (7.5 hours). For hotel information in Breaux Bridge, Henderson and St. Martinville, visit www.cajuncountry.org For hotel information in Lafayette, visit www.lafayettetravel.com This is a perfect opportunity to see our musical tradition passed from generation to generation. There are also Cajun music workshops held in the heritage tent.  http://www.bbcrawfest.com/festival_information.html While you’re in Breaux Bridge, you may want to take in one of the highly rated one-hour Swamp Boat Tours. Here is a link to just one of them:  http://champagnesswamptours.com

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May 1-3, 2015 --- WMNF's Tropical Heatwave (Tampa, FL)
THIS YEAR features Sean Ardoin & Zydekool, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Honey Island Swamp Band. Since 1982, Tropical Heatwave has been a rite of spring for fans of eclectic music. Musical genres include Louisiana roots, zydeco, indy rock, western swing, reggae, funk, acoustic folk, R&B, blues, and musical fusions of all of the aforementioned. Once just a Cuban Club event, Tropical Heatwave now spreads all over Ybor City, presenting an incredible lineup of diverse entertainment with more than 60 bands on multiple stages. Tickets are $30 per night and $42 for weekend in advance, and $35 per night and $50 for weekend at the gate.

8:00 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. in the Cuban Club: SEAN ARDOIN AND ZYDEKOOL. The Ardoin name is one of the most revered in zydeco music, with a legacy starting with the legendary Creole musician Amedee’ Ardoin, the first Louisiana Cajun or Creole accordionist to record in the 1920’s; followed by Bois Sec Ardoin, one of the best-known practitioners of the state’s rural Creole sound for six decades. The Creole zydeco tradition was carried on by Sean’s father, Lawrence “Black” Ardoin and the Ardoin Brothers, and the tradition has been passed on for generations in the Ardoin family from one accordion player to the next including Sean and his younger brother Chris Ardoin. Sean Ardoin & Zydekool’s hot brand of dancehall Zydeco has been a fan favorite, with the group performing everywhere from Carnegie Hall and festivals in Europe to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Sean represents both the rural roots and progressive future of Louisiana’s foot-stomping Creole-zydeco sound like no other artist and he’s truly one of zydeco music’s “triple threats.” A rare combination of both tradition, talent and creativity.

8:30 p.m. to 9:35 p.m. on the Main Stage outside the Cuban Club: HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND.  Honey Island Swamp Band‘s music has been described as “Bayou Americana” drawing  from a variety of influences in the world of roots music including artists such as Lowell George & Little Feat, Taj Mahal, Jerry Garcia, Johnny Cash, and Dr. John. Honey Island Swamp band has risen near the top of the competitive New Orleans music scene winning many awards including OffBeat Magazine’s 2009’s “Best Emerging Artist”,  2010’s “Best Roots Rock Artist”, and “Best Roots Rock Artist” of 2011 at the Big Easy Awards, New Orleans’ most prestigious arts and entertainment honors.

ll:25 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Main Stage outside Cuban Club: DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a world famous music machine, whose name is synonymous with genre-bending romps and high-octane performances. They have revitalized the brass band in New Orleans and around the world, progressing from local parties, clubs, baseball games and festivals in their early years in the 1970s to touring nearly constantly around the world. The Dirty Dozen have been featured guests on albums by artists including David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Dr. John and the Black Crowes. The city of New Orleans even has an official Dirty Dozen Brass Band Day.

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May 7-10, 2015 --- Gator By The Bay Zydeco, Blues & Crawfish Festival in San Diego, CA
IN THE PANTHEON of Cajun-Zydeco festivals, Gator By the Bay has earned its spot near the top, particularly among dancers. The event draws 20,000 each year, and offers the dancer five music stages from which to choose, with two main stages offering 3,000 sq. ft. tented dance floors at each. The event is situated on mile-long Spanish Landing Park on San Diego Bay directly across the street from San Diego Lindbergh International Airport. The weather in San Diego is particularly nice in May with temps at the bay around 75 degrees, but bring a jacket because when the sun goes down it gets a bit chilly. This is a four-day event which kicks off on Thursday May 7 with a three band concert headlined by the most celebrated Cajun band in the world, BeauSoleil. Friday through Sunday features more than 60 bands including Brian Jack and Zydeco Gamblers, Pine Leaf Boys, Terry and The Zydeco Bad Boys, Joe Fontenot Creole Cajun Band, Dave Sousa & the Zydeco Mudbugs, California Honeydrops, Chet Cannon, Nathan James, Missy Andersen, Gal Holiday & Honky Tonk Revue, Bill Magee Blues Band, “Queen of the Boogie Woogie” Sue Palmer with her Motel Swing Orchestra, Three Chord Justice, Tiffany Jane & The Kicks, Tomcat Courtney, Michele Lundeen, Blue Largo, The Palominos, Len Rainey, and Euphoria Brass Band! San Diego is home to some great local Cajun and zydeco bands you won’t want to miss including music award winning Bayou Brothers, San Diego Cajun Playboys, the venerable Theo Bellow and the Zydeco Patrol, and Billy Lee & The Swamp Critters who composed and performed the new theme park music for Six Flags parks across the country.

OPENING the four-day festival is BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET. Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the band has been called “the world’s greatest Cajun band” by Garrison Keillor, host of the iconic NPR radio show “A Prairie Home Companion”, on which BeauSoleil has appeared more times than band leader Michael Doucet can count.  “I think we have played on the show at least once per year since 1982,” he recalls, “and in the early days, it really opened the door for us and introduced our music to a whole new audience. We’ve been told that we have been on more shows than any other guest artists.” In 1998, BeauSoleil Avec Michael Doucet became the first Cajun band ever to win a Grammy; winning two more in 2009 and 2010, and garnering a total of 12 Grammy nominations. Based in Lafayette, La, the epicenter of “Cajun Country”, the band has won the “Big Easy Entertainment Award”, presented by the New Orleans music and entertainment publication Gambit Weekly 10 times for “Best Cajun Band”. They’ve also landed the “Best Cajun Artist” title 13 times in Offbeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat Awards. In a state where it seems that there about as many Cajun bands as alligators in the bayous, that’s a really big deal.

BRIAN JACK says, “I love playing in San Diego! Every time I’ve played Gator By The Bay the energy from the crowd brings me to a whole new level on stage”.  His band, Brian Jack and The Zydeco Gamblers, is returning for his sixth visit to Gator By The Bay.  As much fun to watch as he is to listen to, Brian Jack is a true Zydeco showman.  A master accordionist, Brian and his band infuse both his original compositions and timeless favorites with a hip, urban style—fast–paced and with great harmonies.  Brian Jack plays and sings with a seemingly unbounded energy, dancing around the stage, jumping in the air, playing his accordion between his legs, rarely standing still— inspiring dancers and audiences to get up and shake it!

Four Time GRAMMY-Nominated PINE LEAF BOYS have made their name by playing their own inimitable brand of Cajun music with youthful exuberance. Hailing from southwest Louisiana, the Pine Leaf Boys, known for their wild shows and thoughtful arrangements, have breathed new life into Cajun music, reviving ancient songs and bringing them to the bandstand. Accordionist, pianist and vocalist Wilson Savoy is a son of one of the premier Cajun music families.  Wilson won a Grammy in the Best Regional Roots Album category for his work with The Band Courtbouillon. Master fiddler and vocalist extraordinaire, Courtney Granger has been a PLB since 2008, and hails from the exalted Cajun music Balfa family lineage. Guitarist Jon Bertrand grew up as a cowboy in the Southwest Louisiana prairie. Drummer and vocalist Drew Simon developed an interest in Cajun music in his late teens. A multi-instrumentalist who also plays accordion, guitar, and bass, Drew developed a great passion for singing forgotten Cajun classics in a traditional style which has been described as a “simple, older, blue collared Cajun.” Thomas David, bassist, also hails from Lafayette, LA.  By the age of 8 he was playing drums alongside his father, Ken David, bassist with Jambalaya Cajun Band.  

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8 p.m. Gumbo Boogie Band at Skippers Smokehouse, 910 Skipper road, Tampa, FL 33613.

May 23-24, 2015 --- 25th Annual Simi Valley Cajun, Blues Music Festival features Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, Ruben Paul Moreno, Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, Magnolia Sisters, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Canned Heat, Candy Kane.

JEFFERY BROUSSARD, formerly the front man for the legendary Zydeco Force, brings his band, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, to Simi Valley this year. Jeffery Broussard delivers great, pack-the-dance-floor renditions of Creole classics as well as their own dynamic brand of contemporary zydeco.  The son of traditional Creole accordion icon Delton Broussard, Jeffery began his musical journey at the age of 8, playing the drums in his father's legendary band, the Lawtell Playboys. Later, as a leading member of "nouveau zydeco" trailblazers Zydeco Force, Jeffrey's accordion and vocals defined this new style which incorporated elements of R&B into zydeco music and dance. With his Creole Cowboys, Jeffrey continues to share his rich musical heritage with contemporary flair and expertise, inspiring new generations of Creole zydeco fans. He was named "Accordionist of the Year" in 2007 in the Zydeco Music & Creole Heritage Awards, and dubbed "one of the greatest accordion players to ever grace our beautiful Creole culture and, for that matter, the world" by Don Cravins, the mayor of Opelousas, Louisiana. Great dance hall favorites of Jeffery Broussard include “Oh Mom”, ‘Madeleine”, “Return of the Creole” and “Pinky’s Heavenly Waltz”. I consider Jeffery Broussard the most soulful zydeco artist out there.

RUBEN PAUL MORENO hails from a musical family, grew up in Houston's Fifth Ward, and began performing professionally at the age of 13. In 2007, he received a phone call from C.J. Chenier with an offer to tour and travel across the country. He performs around the state and country in both zydeco and cajun traditions with his own group, the Zydeco Re-Evolution as well as artists such as Andre Thierry, with whom he performed extensively along the East Coast in 2009. He was honored as "A Rising Young Star" at the 2012 Zydeco Music Awards in Lafayette, Louisiana. Also at the 2012 ZMA, his group, Zydeco Re-Evolution, was honored as "Best New Band". He draws musical influences from late zydeco squeezebox legends Boozoo Chavis and Clifton Chenier. Moreno’s first album, Por Ti Volare, has some tasty songs he wrote that have been keeping folks busy on the dance floor, and he has a new album coming out but not on iTunes yet, Complique.

ANDRE THIERRY grew up in the Bay Area experiencing the French Creole (La-La) dances his grandparents held at their church parish, St. Mark’s Catholic Church. The best Zydeco musicians Louisiana had to offer traveled to California to play at the dances and spent considerable time at the Pitre’s house while in the area. On one such visit, the “King of Zydeco,” Clifton Chenier, grabbed three-year-old Andre by the arms and deemed him a future accordion player. Thierry has since become a virtuoso on the accordion and also plays bass guitar, rhythm guitar and drums. He sings traditional songs in original Creole French and his voice has been characterized as rich and soulful. Andre Thierry has played with many of the Louisiana touring bands, and a great following among musicians as well as lovers of zydeco music. Andre’s CDs include Andre Thierry Live! At The Woodshed, Are You Ready to Learn, and just out is Bouncing With The Blues. Andre’s music has a smooth R&B feel to it. Songs I play the most for dancers are “Swingin On a Vine”, “Better Man”, “Let’s Do It Again” and one of his new ones, “Be My Chauffeur”.

Memorial Day Weekend in Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063-3429.

And did I mention that FloridaCajunZydeco.com loves to travel, and fits neatly in your pocket on your smarphone?

May 29-31, 2015 --- Michael Arnone's Crawfish Festival (Augusta, New Jersey)
FEATURING the best music and food that Louisiana and New Orleans has to offer. Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Gospel and Jazz on 4 Stages. Cajun and zydeco bands will include Dr. John and the Nite Trippers, CJ Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band, Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys, Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Honey Island Swamp Band, and Jesse Lege and the Bayou Brew.

CJ CHENIER’s zydeco pedigree is unparalleled, being the son and longtime band mate of Clifton Chenier “The King of Zydeco”. Taking over The Red Hot Louisiana Band after his father’s death in 1987, CJ has pushed the genre hard, including funk, blues and swamp pop into his music, making him a top drawing act. CJ also has recorded and played with Paul Simon and recorded with the Gin Blossoms. There is no sitting down for this well-traveled front man and his band, he brings the party with him. A couple of my favorites from CJ are his live version of the Fernest Arceneaux song, “Zydeco Boogaloo” recorded live at JazzFest in 2013, and “Smart Man, Woman Smarter.”

ROSIE LEDET is now one of the veteran zydeco artist having recorded ten popular albums over the past twenty years. “You Can Eat My Poussiere (You Can Eat My Dust)” remains her most popular song on iTunes, and a lot but not all of her music is that suggestive. Her interest in zydeco music started when she attended a zydeco dance at Richard’s a famous zydeco club in Lawtell, Louisiana, and saw Boozoo Chavis play. This very same evening she met Morris Ledet, her husband to be. She learned to play the accordion by watching Morris, who later stepped aside and accompanied her on bass guitar in the band they would later form. Some popular songs by Rosie Ledet include “I’m a Woman”, “Groove Thing”, “Don’t Have To Worry”, and “Caffina”. Her music is always a dance hall favorite.

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June 4-7, 2015 --- Blast From The Bayou Cajun-Zydeco Festival (Preston, Connecticut) FEATURING Jesse Lege Bayou Brew, Geno Delafose French Rockin Boogie, Pine Leaf Boys, Dennis Stroughmatt Creole Stomp, Savoy Family Band, Wayne’s Same Ol’ 2 Step, Steve Riley & The mamou Playboys, Magnolia Cajun Band, Jimmy Jo and The Jumbol’Ayuhs, Ruben Paul Moreno, and Slippery Sneakers.

STEVE RILEY and the Mamou Playboys are a Cajun band from southern Louisiana. The band formed in 1988 and has since recorded 10 albums, nine of which are on Rounder Records. The band included Steve Riley (accordion), David Greely (fiddle), Sam Broussard (guitar), Brazos Huval (fiddle/saxophone/bass) and Kevin Dugas (drums) and formerly Jimmy Domengeaux (guitar) before his death in 1999, and Kevin Wimmer (fiddle) who joined the band in 2011. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys have been nominated for two Grammy Awards in The Best Traditional Folk Album category, one Grammy nomination was for Trace of Time for Best Traditional Folk Album, and the second was for Bon Rêve in 2004. Steve Riley received a Grammy award for his project, The Band Courtbouillon with Wayne Toups and Wilson Savoy. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys music is a blend of swamp pop, blues and Cajun influences to create a diverse and spectacularly interesting gumbo. My favorites from the the band include “All For the Better”, “Mama Told Papa”, “Mentor (Liar)”, “Tes Parents Violent Plus Me Voir”, “Pierre”, “La Danse de Mardi Gras” and a beautiful waltz titled “Katherine”.

DENNIS STROUGHMATT Creole Stomp is filled with over achieving PhDs and Masters Degrees, making it one of the most educated bands in traditional music.  But no worries, Creole Stomp is a band that knows how to throw a Louisiana party. The band has become informally known as “The Grateful Dead of Creole Music.” Creole Stomp travels the country carrying the long tradition of Mississippi River valley Creole music to audiences of thousands. This band has not only captured the attention of Louisiana music fans across the United States and Canada, but is also legendary on the Blues and Roots circuit for it’s marathon performances featuring a mix of Swamp pop and traditional dance tunes. Led by French speaking Creole accordionist and fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt, Creole Stomp leaves audiences breathless and cheering for more. According to Taste Louisiana Festival, “Arguably the best band from outside of Louisiana to ever play its music.” They have six albums out: Pipeliner’s Blues, Long Roads and Bloodshot Eyes, La Belle Blondine, Creole Stranger, Gambler’s Fiddle and Cadet Rouselle: French Creole Fiddle Tunes. If you like your Cajun with a French accent, a little more fiddle than accordion, and a little country blues thrown in for good measure, you’re gonna dig this band. (For old timey country music lovers with lots of steel guitar, check out Dennis Strouhgmatt’s Talk to My Heart: A Tribute to the Cherokee Cowboys.)

WAYNE’S SAME OL’ TWO STEP Wayne Singleton has dropped the “Lil” in front of his name, and is now full strength Wayne. Mentored by the legendary Roy Carrier, Wayne Singleton has toured the world and recorded four albums: Young Y Old, Who Want It?, Gotta Be Me, and Bring It. Wayne has been an advocate for smoke-free dance halls over the past five years, and an ambassador of Creole music to schools encouraging kids to stay in school and work hard. In 2015 the band has been on it’s “Breathe Easy Tour”, insisting on smoke-free clubs wherever the band plays. (California bars have been smoke-free for 20 years, and this initiative is welcome!) Popular dance tunes by this band include “Creole Way”, “Whiskey River Break Down”, and “Getting Freaky Tonight”.

June 6-7, 2015 — Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. both days. Louis Armstrong Park. 901 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116. Admission: Free. This event has yet to post a lineup of its bands.

The Long Beach Bayou Festival, a Zydeco, Blues Creole & Cajun Festival ANNOUNCES ITS 2015 LINEUP and once again unites a Mardi Gras atmosphere, Cajun & Creole food delicacies and blues,Cajun & Zydeco music at Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach, CA for the 29th year on Saturday, June 20th and Sunday,
June 21, 2015.  Hours are 11:00 am - 9:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am - 7:00pm on Sunday.  Info and tickets: 562-912-4451, www.longbeachbayou.com.

The festival features two stages of music featuring top notch blues, zydeco and Cajun music. On the Zydeco Stage, the most popular artists in the Cajun and Zydeco genre are all lined up for this year with Grammy nominated bands Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys and Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, the powerhouse team of Grammy winner Joel Savoy and Cajun Hall of Famer, Jesse Legé with their band Cajun Country Revival, the swamp-funky Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band and West Coast favorites T Lou & His Hot Louisiana Zydeco Band, Bonne Musique Zydeco and David Sousa & the Mudbugs. With this lineup, the large covered wooden dance floor will be filled all weekend long and easy dance instruction for all ages will ensure no one is left out of the fun.

JOEL SAVOY is a member of the Savoy Family Band along with of his father Marc, mother Ann, and brother Wilson Savoy. 1999 he co-founded the Red Stick Ramblers from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2006 he started the annual Faquetaigue Courir de Mardi Gras as an alternative to the main Eunice courir event. The run has become one of the most musically based versions of the traditional event. Also in 2006 he founded Valcour Records, an independent record label based in Eunice, Louisiana, with friends Phillip LaFargue II and Lucius Fontenot. Valcour Records' first release in 2006 was Goin' Down to Louisiana, by fiddle player Cedric Watson and accordionist Corey Ledet. During the 2007 Cajun French Music Association's Le Cajun ceremony at Lafayettes Blackham Coliseum, Savoy was awarded the “2007 Fiddler of the Year” award. In 2008 he played on, recorded and produced his mothers album If Dreams Come True at his Studio Savoy Faire. His brother Wilson and several members of the Red Stick Ramblers also played on the album of Django Reinhardt-style blues and jazz standards as "Ann Savoy and her Sleepless Knights". At Long Beach this year, Savoy is teaming with Jesse Legé performing as Cajun Country Revival.

GENO DELAFOSE was born into the Zydeco tradition, playing in his father’s band, the Eunice Playboys from the time he was eight, in 1979. By 1994 he was fronting his own band, French Rockin’ Boogie, and they are still playing together today. As Geno has pushed the envelope of zydeco, infusing influences from traditional Cajun music as well as country music, he was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007. Gene has a lot of fans, partly because his music has a happy Cajun feel to it. Some of his albums have a fast Cajun-tempo throughout. Some of our favorite tunes by Geno are “Geno’s Two Step”, “Let’s Say Goodnight”, “Chickens On the Run” and “Everybody’s Havin’ Fun”.

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