In March of 2001, when Terrance and Cynthia Simien connected a group of committed local music artists, economic development and arts organizations with The Recording Academy (the Grammy folks) with this petition effort to establish a separate voting category for Zydeco and Cajun Music. USA Today, Billboard, CNN, Offbeat Magazine, The Times, The Lafayette Daily Advertiser, The Times Picayune, The Shreveport Times (front page headline) and countless radio (KRVS.org) and TV News stations(KATC-3, Lafayette) have all supported this effort and some even with feature stories. A special thanks to Jan Ramsey and Joseph Irrera of Offbeat Magazine, NOLA and Herman Fusilier of The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette.

Producer Neil Curry of CNN World beat was the very first to report on this petition effort in of August 2001 that featured more mainstream artists like P. Diddy and Willa Ford. There were our indigenous Zydeco and Cajun Music artists profiled right next to more commercially known mainstream artists.

We want to thank the following for their ongoing support: The Louisiana Music Commission, Acadiana Arts Council, LEDA and the CFMA (Cajun French Music Association), Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, ULL Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism, Dr. carl Brasseaux, The Zydeco Festival in Plaisance, LA, Senator Donald Cravins and his Zydeco Extravaganza Festival, The City of Opelousas (The Capital of Zydeco), The City of Ft. Lauderdale CZ Crawfish Festival, Simi Valley, CA- CZ Festival, Zydecoroad.com, LSUE-Eunice, LA (visit their website for extensive date on CZ music artists), The World Famous Prejeans Restaurant, Randols Restaurant, The Blue Moon Guest House and Cite Des Arts, all of Lafayette, LA. Ted Fox, Manager for Buckwheat Zydeco, and the many artists who have supported this with their participation in the The Recording Academy Memphis Chapter. A very special thanks to Todd Mouton of Lafayette Economic Development whose constant commitment has helped make this effort an ongoing success. Executive Director Jon Hornyak, of NARAS Memphis Chapter-U ROCK! XOXO

Rounder Records and Arhoolie Records both have given us their commitment of support as well. They fully recognize the long term benefits for the artists career as well as the obvious benefits to the label as well. This will also ensure that the these musical traditions will be preserved and perpetuated for the next generations to perform. Many small independent labels in Louisiana like LouisianaRadio.com, Lanor, Acadiana Records, La Louisianne have participated fully in the entry process to ensure that ALL their artists and their music stay visible to the Grammy committees. This is an important layer to this effort . We must enter all eligible releases and achieve an ongoing minimum of 25 entries to establish and maintain a voting category. In 2002 we increased entries from 8-10 the previous year to nearly 20. In 2003 we may well reach the 25 entry mark.

There is only one Grammy recipient in the zydeco genre that is still with us: the fabulous Queen Ida Guillory who was the first to garner a Grammy in 1982. Followed by two other zydeco artists to win Grammy’s as well: Clifton Chenier and Rocking Sidney Simien, 1985. Beausoileil to date is still the only Cajun group to garner a Grammy for Traditional Folk in 1997.

The more commercial Rock, Pop, Rap, Hip Hop and R&B are the ones that make the televised awards show. However many other genres also are recognized and have their own voting categories. Polka, New Age, Gospel, Bluegrass, World Music, Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Latin, Tejano, Merangue, Spoken Word, Historical, Comedy, Engineering, Producer, Graphic design, and finally the Folk (Traditional and Contemporary) category which is where Cajun-Zydeco is currently housed. Most recently Native American Music was established as their own category under the folk field.

The Contemporary Folk category is one of the largest with over 120 entries annually, has become a catch all for anyone from Lucinda Williams and Johnny Cash to Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan. Indigenous CZ artists should have their recordings judged in a more appropriate voting category. As we illustrated on our first petition these artists differ from those currently encapsulated in the current folk field categories, in that they share a language, a birthplace, instrumentation and repertoire.

Now is the time for CZ music singers, engineers, writers, musicians, producers, etc. to become active in the Grammy nomination and voting process through increased membership, education and participation.

• We must grow and maintain our NARAS voting membership constituency.

• We have to be consistent by entering, annually all eligible commercial releases.

The Recording Academy is looking for consistency and numbers. It has to be demonstrated that these indigenous genres are a sizeable and active part of the commercial recording process. With the help of the singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, engineers and graphic artists that contribute to recording Cajun and Zydeco music, WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER. Yes, the old analogy, “There is strength in numbers.” is indeed applicable here. Join us in the effort to get these artists the industry recognition they deserve.

Contact us at MusicMatters 337.837.9997, tsimeninc@aol.com or contact the Memphis Chapter Office, 901.525.1340 for membership info.