June 28

Albert John Lewis, lead accordionist for Al Rapone & The Zydeco Express was born on Friday, June 26, 1936 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He partnered with his sister Ida Guillory and brother Willie Lewis...

Clifton Chenier, “the King of Zydeco” was born on June 25, 1925 in the rural community of Notleyville, just east of Opelousas, Louisiana. Clifton Chenier was the first Creole artist to win a Grammy aw...

Thomas Andrew Dorsey, the father of gospel music, was born on July 1, 1899 in the small town of Villa Rica, Georgia. Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. As Georgia...

Harry 'Big Daddy' Hypolite, talented guitarist and sideman for more than 40 years, most notably in the bands of the Zydeco great Clifton Chenier, later Chenier's son C.J. Chenier and Nathan & the Zyde...

William Thomas Dupree, known to the Blues, Nation, Southern Soul Nation, Zydeco Nation and the world as “Champion” Jack Dupree, considered one of the most prolific recording Bluesmen of all time, was...

Derrick J. Guidry, scrubboard player for the Zydeco Boneshakers, was born June 20, 1986 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin was born on November 16, 1915, at l'Anse de Prien Noir (Black Cyprian's Cove) near Bayou Duralde, Louisiana. He began playing music (on the triangle) with Amédé when he was...

James Carroll Booker III, known as the Piano Prince, was an extremely talented jazz, New Orleans rhythm and blues and soul musician, died on November 8, 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the age of 43...

Bo Diddley releases his monumental first single, “Bo Diddley” b/w “I’m a Man,” on Checkers Records on March 2, 1955. “Bo Diddley” b/w “I’m a Man,” topped the R&B chart for two weeks.

Clinton “Santy” Runyon (b 1907) died on April 4, 2003 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the age of 96. Santy Runyon was a world renowned saxophonist, who played in Al Capone's speakeasy club, The Coliseum, a...

Mr. Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin, internationally known Creole accordionist, singer, and one of the Zydeco Nation’s last living link to the old Creole musical tradition called “la la music” or “la musiq...

Joseph "Bebe" Carriere Sr. (b 1909), legendary Creole Fiddler and Creole music pioneer, died on April 22, 2001 at the age of 92. Joseph "Bebe" Carriere Sr , along with his brother Eraste “Dolan” Carri...