I have been familiar with the Creole culture and zydeco music for most of my life. I was even lucky enough to see and hear Clifton Chenier at Jay's Lounge and Cockpit in Cankton, Louisiana while I was in high school.
I was introduced to video production and documentation of zydeco by Dan "Buddha"Hildenbrandt, who was teaching television production at the then named University of Southwestern Louisiana. One the first multi camera shoots we did was at the 1987 Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Plaisance, LA. Since then I have been involved in most all video documentation of the zydeco festival. I watched the music change with new trends as it evolved, and I felt it was important to capture and document the traditions which started this music and the path it was taking. Hopefully, some of this information will serve as a historical document, that was my only goal at the time.
The compilation of this DVD realizes the goals of this footage. Thanks to Dr. Robert Willey.
[ Karl's comments at DVD Release Party ]
[ From La La to Zydeco - Creole and Zydeco Music From Louisiana ]