Leesville Daily Leader, Professor Chronicles Louisiana Musicians >>
A chance mention on a television program led to the creation of one of the finest Web sites in the world devoted to South Louisiana’s music.
I was watching CBS News and they mentioned an upcoming interview with Geno Delafose. I asked myself “Why is this fellow from little Eunice on that program?” said Dr. David Simpson, associate professor of English at the Louisiana State University at Eunice.
Answering that question led directly to what has become a passion-documenting the music of South Louisiana.
His web sit at www.lsue.edu/acadgate/music/musicmain.htm is now regularly visited by passionate music lovers from throughout the world.
The site includes more than 1,700—photos of musicians ranging from Ray Abshire to Zydeco Joe.
Equally impressive are lengthy articles on the history of the music and detailed histories on scores of bands and musicians.
Simpson grew up in Baton Rouge, but said he wasn’t really aware of the south Louisiana music scene until her moved to Eunice in 1974. Even then it wasn’t until recently that a vague interest became a passion.
It was following up on his original question that produced the transformation. He went to see Delafose live. “I listened to him at Downtown Alive for two hours. His music was so passionate; really powerful..”
And he was singing in French. Simpson had studied French in school, but certainly didn’t consider himself fluent. But realizing the language was still alive here amazed him.
“That is a marvel in and of itself that it has been preserved,” Simpson said.
Using his high French he began to read the lyrics printed on the liners of CDs and albums. He remembers reading the words to a song by Christine Balfa. “The power of the lyrics was amazing.”
From that time on he was hooked. He now visits every festival he can to photograph the performers and enjoy the music.
There are so many he can’t make them all, but here are a few he tries never to miss, including the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Festivals Acadiens in Lafayatte, the Mamou Music Festival and the annual zydeco festival in Plaisance.
He says he is lucky to live in Eunice.
“We have excellent resources here,” he said. Every Saturday night the Liberty Theatre features a couple of Cajun and Creole music groups.
About the only local music style he’s not documenting is Swamp Pop. It’s not that he isn’t a fan; it’s just that there aren’t enough hours in the day.
There are more musicians per square mile in South Louisiana than any other part of the country. And they are good musicians,” Simpson said. “There are so many groups that I just haven’t had tome to get to.”
The photos are free for anyone to use. The music and cultural scene in South Louisiana deserves all the attention it can get.”
By William Johnson
10/02/03
