2008 Woodie Awards
Terrance Simien enlightens LCCC to the Zydeco Experience
Chris Kovach
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Entertainment
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience made Lorain County Community College's Stocker Arts Center its last stop before leaving for Los Angeles for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience took the stage for two sets, lasting nearly an hour each, to perform the indigenous music of French-speaking Creoles from southwest Louisiana. Simien with his thick, Louisianan accent entertained the crowd by encouraging them to dance and by throwing beads to the audience with his feet while continuing to play his accordion.
The band, which hails from Louisiana, has been together for more than 20 years and has performed in nearly 25 countries. Terrance Simien has also played with many distinguished artists like Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, and Dave Matthews.
The Zydeco Experience played a mostly upbeat set, causing members of the audience to dance in the aisles and continuously scream for more beads.
Terrance Simien talked before closing the first set about the evolution of Zydeco music and its history with the Grammys as he and his band await their nomination.
"And from now on, Zydeco will win every year [at the Grammy's] because we have a category now!" said Simien.
Simien and his wife Cynthia had previously petitioned the Recording Academy to establish a separate Zydeco and Cajun music category for the Grammys. Zydeco and Cajun music were previously profiled next to more commercially known mainstream artists and was sometimes unfairly categorized.
Robert Mundale, 42, danced in the aisles throughout the entire show causing other members of the audience to join him.
"The show was just wonderful," said Mundale. "I've seen him a few times before but this was one of the better ones."
Jacob Delinger, 9, was at the show with his four siblings and friends, also enjoyed Simien.
"I really like how he threw the beads out to us with his feet and danced funny," said Delinger.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience's energetic, upbeat set seemed to entertain the Stocker Center crowd and enlighten them to a certain genre of music that is finally receiving some praise.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience took the stage for two sets, lasting nearly an hour each, to perform the indigenous music of French-speaking Creoles from southwest Louisiana. Simien with his thick, Louisianan accent entertained the crowd by encouraging them to dance and by throwing beads to the audience with his feet while continuing to play his accordion.
The band, which hails from Louisiana, has been together for more than 20 years and has performed in nearly 25 countries. Terrance Simien has also played with many distinguished artists like Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, and Dave Matthews.
The Zydeco Experience played a mostly upbeat set, causing members of the audience to dance in the aisles and continuously scream for more beads.
Terrance Simien talked before closing the first set about the evolution of Zydeco music and its history with the Grammys as he and his band await their nomination.
"And from now on, Zydeco will win every year [at the Grammy's] because we have a category now!" said Simien.
Simien and his wife Cynthia had previously petitioned the Recording Academy to establish a separate Zydeco and Cajun music category for the Grammys. Zydeco and Cajun music were previously profiled next to more commercially known mainstream artists and was sometimes unfairly categorized.
Robert Mundale, 42, danced in the aisles throughout the entire show causing other members of the audience to join him.
"The show was just wonderful," said Mundale. "I've seen him a few times before but this was one of the better ones."
Jacob Delinger, 9, was at the show with his four siblings and friends, also enjoyed Simien.
"I really like how he threw the beads out to us with his feet and danced funny," said Delinger.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience's energetic, upbeat set seemed to entertain the Stocker Center crowd and enlighten them to a certain genre of music that is finally receiving some praise.
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