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Summer Festival Season on the Horizon
A Zydeco Experience is coming soon to one of your favorite summer festivals!
Here’s a sampling of where we’ll be in the next 60 days:
Mudbug
Madness - Shreveport, May 28,
KC
Jiggle Jam - May
30, Kansas City
Michael
Arnone’s
Crawfish Festival -
June 4, New Jersey
Summerfest - The
World’s Largest Music
Festival - June 28, Milwaukee
“An 11 day music festival
featuring everything from ‘alternative
to zydeco’ on 11 different stages!”.
There are more on the schedule so please check the tour
dates link.
Many thanks to all of these festivals who are longtime supporters
of Louisiana music and culture! Particularly Summerfest in
Milwaukee where there is really no obvious connection to Louisiana music,
except for maybe the accordion found in the German and Polish community
there! Milwaukee does have a very rich multicultural identity and history,
and we just look forward to performing there as we have so many times
over the past 25 years!
Our Contribution to the Economic Stimulus
Plan: Price drop on several popular CD's!
We've restocked, have a nice inventory on a couple
really popular titles including the Grammy award winning CD, "Live!
Worldwide", "Creole for Kidz" (and adults) and Jam the Jazzfest 5 song
EP with the title track as a tribute to New Orleans Jazzfest. We hope
through music and a live performance, that you are able to find a little escape
from the challenges we are all enduring together! Makes us feel better.
http://www.terrancesimien.com/worldwide.html CD
$10.00
http://www.terrancesimien.com/creole.html CD
$10.00
http://www.terrancesimien.com/jamatthejazzfest.html EP
$5.00
Oscar Nominated Disney film features Louisiana music
 The
“The Princess & The Frog” set in the French Quarter of
New Orleans has already become a Disney classic. Released
in theatres in December 2009 they feature their first ever black
princess, the lovely and talented Anika Noni Rose as princess
Tiana. Music score by Randy Newman. On screen images
of a zydeco band along with the word “zydeco” spoken
in the script will allow us (with help from our friends at Disney!)
to teach many generations about this indigenous American roots
music genre known and loved worldwide. Featuring music from Louisiana
favorite sons Terrance Simien, Dr. John & Terence Blanchard
with voice talent from Oprah Winfrey, John Goodman and Terence
Howard it is now available on DVD. http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/index.html
Terrance Featured in TV commercials and print advertising
The Louisiana State Office of Tourism has been running national
TV commercials on multiple cable and network stations for more
than a year as part of their "My Louisiana" campaign. Their
print ads have been seen in a dozen different magazines. It's
been working as friends all over the country have
written to us and called after seeing the commercial and print
ad. Come visit us and see where this music was born and enjoy one
of the most unique culinary experiences on the planet!
Visit http://www.louisianatravel.com/my_louisiana/ CLICK
HERE TO WATCH THE COMMERCIAL
The Grammy Awards-February, 10, 2008
 What
a memorable time this was for the group. They were reeling
with their first ever Grammy nomination announced in Dec. 2007. Then
as if it could not get any better, they were invited to open the
50th Grammy awards pre-telecast with a 10 minute performance for 1000
or more Grammy nominees in 100 categories. About an hour into the 3
hour awards show, they won the Gold for their state of Louisiana! It
was the perfect
ending to a 7 year effort to establish a new Grammy category
for Zydeco and Cajun music. We thank the voting members, trustees and
staff of
the Recording Academy, our Memphis Chapter and the state of
Louisiana for their ongoing support. His acceptance speech was
very gracious and it was a very happy day for him and his band
mates, his agents, manager and labels who had all worked so hard
alongside him for so many years always believing in him and his artistic
vision.
"Ladies
and Gentleman we are living in God's world and all things
that happen in God's world is God's will. Right now I want
to thank God for willing this my way"
"I want to thank my wife Cynthia Simien. Without her hard work these past
6 1/2 years this category wouldn't be here. I love you."
"I also want to thank the Executive Director of the Memphis Chapter, Jon
Hornyak, all the Trustees and especially Diane Theriot. And of course I want
to thank my band. Without them I wouldn't be here."
"I'd like to dedicate this award and share it with all the Louisiana source
musicians who entered their CD's and were nominated this year because they deserve
it as much as we do. This is ours. I'm just the one taking it home."
"One more thing before I go, I'd like to thank MusiCares for all their hard
work and support during the Katrina disaster and all the other times Louisiana
musicians were in need. Thank you. Peace."
Terrance
Simien, Grammy Awards acceptance speech, Feb. 10, 2008
Visit www.grammy.com for information
on membership, advocacy and MusiCares.
Archived News | A
27 year journey
1981 Formed
the first incarnation of the Mallet Playboys and began playing
regionally as one of only 2 emerging artists performing the indigenous
Zydeco music of Louisiana.
1984 Played a 3-week showcase at
The World’s Fair in New Orleans. Began performing and
touring full time as one of only 2 emerging groups in Zydeco
music. Released several 45 vinyl recordings.
1985 Showcased
at the Lone Star Café in NYC on the eve of Live
Aid. In the audience and on stage were Dylan, Mick
Jagger ,Keith Richards and Paul Simon. Recorded a
Clifton Chenier single, You Used to Call Me, with Paul Simon
singing background vocals. First national tour of the
U.S and Canada.
1986 Appeared on screen and on the
soundtrack of the movie “The Big Easy”. Co-
wrote movie love ballad “Closer to You” with
actor Dennis Quaid . Toured with Los Lobos during
the period when La Bamba was a radio hit song. First
European tour including the Bern Jazz Fest, opening for Fats
Domino and Sarah Vaughn. BillboardMagazine voted him of the
Top Ten Live Performance Acts of the year.
1987 Had
the rare opportunity of doing a USIA (State Dept. sponsored)
tour of North Africa. Joined
the Miller Band Network and toured the US and Canada extensively logging over250
dates. Performed at a fundraiser in L.A for Michael Dukakis and The Hollywood
Women’s Committee, sharing the stage with Bette Midler, Jesse Jackson,
Barbara Streisand and Chevy Chase.
1989 - 1990 Continued
with The Miller Band Network tour schedule of over 250 dates
in the U.S and Canada. Performed at a private fundraiser hosted by Bianca
Jagger at The Brooklyn Academy of Music. Released
his debut record, “Zydeco on the Bayou” , (Restless/Capitol)
which as a huge critical success. National TV commercial for Chevrolet. Performed
on screen and on the soundtrack for Disney’s TV pilot “Blue
Bayou”, starring Mario Van Peebles.
1991 Toured
with the extraordinary Robert Palmer. Fourth consecutive year with Miller Band
Network fulfilling the required 250 dates. Performed with Paul Simon and played
a private party for the legendary artist following the concert. 1992 Feature
performance on National PBS Television, The Lonesome Pine Special. Received
The Big Easy Award for Best Zydeco Band. Fifth and final year with
the Miller Band Network. MuchMusic appearance. (Canadian equivalent to
VH-1.)
1993 Another critical success with
the release of “There’s Room For Us All”, Rolling
Stone gave it an unprecedented 3 ½ STAR review. High profile European
tour including North Sea Jazz Fest, Nice Jazz Fest and WOMAD. Performed
live on CNBC cable, “Live with Roger Rose”. Corporate party for Burton
Snowboards, as requested by owner and CEO, Jake Burton Carpenter.
1995 Featured as one of only
6 artist on VH-1 for their coverage of the New Orleans Jazz
Fest. Played the famous Newport Folk Festival. An original song on the movie “Exit
to Eden”, starring Dan Akroyd and Dana Delaney. Second corporate
party for Burton Snowboards. House of Blues Live syndicated
radio show with Dan Akroyd.
1996 Opened for Phish at the New Orleans Jazz
Fest. Still in demand for some of the largest festivals in the country
as a headline artist. Toured the UK. More high profile touring and corporate
dates with Turner Broadcasting and Gateway Computers.
1997 Had the distinct honor of performing
at The
Presidential Inaugural Ball where he was greeted on stage with a handshake
from the President and First Lady and then was joined on stage by Stevie
Wonder who played harmonica on a zydeco song. Corporate party for
Computer Associates ( world’s 2nd largest software company) Signed
with Tone Cool Records.
1998 Released 5 song EP, Jam the JazzFest
as a tribute to one of his favorite festivals, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage
Festival. Continues playing exclusive festivals, theaters, and showcase clubs.
1999 Released “Positively Beadhead “ on
Tone Cool Records to more rave reviews. Second corporate party for Computer
Associates. More top shelf touring at some of the very best festivals, city
events and theaters. Featured guest on the eclectic World Café radio
show. Awarded the Creole Heritage Male Vocalist of the Year. House
of Blues Live webcast. Filmed for NHK, Japanese Public Television.
2001 Featured
on CNN Worldbeat as
well as House of Blues Radio Hour w/ Dan Aykroyd. Featured
on Mountain Stage w/BR549 and E-town, (radio shows) Boulder CO.
w/ Joe Ely. Opened shows for Robert Cray in Australia. Recorded
a song for a compilation of John Hiatt songs, "Rollin into
Memphis" Released “The
Tribute Sessions”. Toured with Dave
Matthews Band. E-town
radio guest. (3rd visit) w/ Del McCoury Band.
2002 Continued to tour exclusively at select
festivals, art centers and outdoor concert events throughout
the country. Released Creole for Kidz& The History of
Zydeco. The
first zydeco artist to play the nationally syndicated “Woodsongs
Old Time Radio Hour”, Louisville, KY. He remains at
the forefront of a national initiative to have a new Zydeco and
Cajun Music Grammy voting category established. Elected Board of
Governor to the Memphis Chapter of The Recording Academy.
2003 Headlined
a rare four island tour of Hawaii including the remote village
of Hana. Toured Australia for a 3rd
time. Recognized by the Board of Education of Lafayette, LA,
Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and The LA Division of
the Arts with grants to support his work to elevate the Creole
culture and his indigenous zydeco music with the only multicultural
arts in education program of its type “Creole
for Kidz & The History of Zydeco”. National promotion
with House of Blues, Bruce Foods and the Louisiana State Office
of Tourism.
Official Louisiana Purchase national ad & cruise.
2004-2005 Simien continues
his mission to elevate his indigenous music and raise the bar
as a highly respected Cultural Ambassador of LA. The
first Zydeco artist to perform in Cuba with the US
State Dept. Performed in Brazil. Presented educational
outreach residencies around the country.
2006-2007 Extensive
national and international touring. Jan 2006 Simien and his bandmates
headlined the Sydneyfestival.com (Australia) with
Dirty Dozen Brass Band for an audience of 100,000 people,
a record for the event. Traveled
to South America, Paraguay and a 5th trip to Brazil. Released “Across
the Parish Line”, featuring Paul Simon, David Hidalgo
and Marcia Ball. Appears in the HBO documentary film, “The
Music in Me: Children’s Recitals from Classical to Latin, Jazz to
Zydeco” Nominated for a prestigious United States Artists $50,000
Fellowship Award for artistic achievement. Featured on a Sylvania
E-Logic Light Bulb Commercial singing “This Little Light
of Mine” playing accordion. 2 week 5 city tour of Australia.
Appeared
on the Ellen DeGeneres show with Aaron
Neville. Was victorious in his effort to establish a
new dedicated Grammy voting category for “Best Zydeco
or Cajun Music Album”. Tour of Mail with Carnegie
Hall/Weill Institute Distance Learning Program-Global Encounters:
integrating multicultural music traditions with high school
social studies. Stimmen
Voice Festival in Germany. A unique 2 week Cultural Exchange
with The
US State Dept to connect Louisiana Creole culture with the
indigenous Creole/Kreol populations in Mauritius, Rodrigues
and Seychelles, 3 island countries in the Indian Ocean. 2007 “Creole
People’s Award” from Northwestern State University Creole
Heritage Center. Simien receives his first Grammy nomination.
Offbeat Best of the Beat Award.
2008 Simien and his band mates
win Grammy for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album, “Live! Worldwide”. Opens
Grammy pretelecast awards with a 10 minute performance. Featured
in a national television commercial and print ad campaign for
Louisiana State Tourism. Guest vocalist on Marcia Ball Grammy
nominated and Dr. John’s Grammy winning CD’s. Presented
Creole for Kidz& The History of Zydeco for more than 20,000 students
at 5 major International Children’s Festivals in Vancouver, Calgary,
Winnipeg and Edmonton in Canada. Big Easy Entertainment Award
.
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