Top seven named
Two St. Landry natives among Grammy nominees

By Herman Fuselier
The (Lafayette) Daily Advertiser

Zydeco musician Terrance Simien was prepared to be gracious Thursday, when the first nominees in the new Best Zydeco and Cajun Music Album Grammy category were announced. Simien said all musicians were winners, simply because the category was now a reality.

But Simien admitted it was nice to be nominated, too.

Simien's Live! Worldwide CDis among the nominees, along with The Racines' self-titled CD, Le Cowboy Creoleby Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie, Live A La Blue Moonby the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Blues de Musicienby the Pine Leaf Boys, The La Louisianne Sessionsby Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars and King Cakeby Lisa Haley.

Simien was flattered by his nomination, but still insisted the new category was a victory for all local musicians.

"Knowing that this category will be the thing that's going to shed some light on our musicians here, that's great," said Simien, a Mallet native and resident of Lafayette. "We've played on shows with jazz musicians, classical musicians, you name it.

"Our musicians here can hold their own with any of them."

Simiein, along with his wife and manager, Cynthia, lobbied the Recording Academy for six years to create the zydeco and Cajun category. Previous nominees had to battle Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and other legends in the very competitive Traditional Folk category.

Hawaiian, Native American, polka and other styles of folk music have their own categories. The new category means zydeco and Cajun musicians will be nominated - and one will win - every year.

Delafose said if he wins, the Grammy will be dedicated to the Simiens.

"I'm happy to be nominated, but I'm so proud of Terrance and Cynthia," said Delafose, a native and resident of Eunice. "I really owe that to them. They put their necks on the line and worked hard to get a category for Cajun and zydeco music.

"If I win this, it belongs to them."

Delafose and Simien are two St. Landry Parish natives among the nominees. The remainder are from Lafayette and throughout Acadiana, except for Lisa Haley of California.

That local representation pleased Celeste Gomez, St. Landry Parish's tourism director.

"We wanted it to be a true reflection of the real thing and that's what we're about," said Gomez.

Chuck Morse, assistant secretary of the Louisiana Office of Tourism, agreed.

"It's a good reflection of the culture in southwest Louisiana," said Morse. "It was good to see the Grammys recognizing this music as significant to the world. This is great for the state of Louisiana."