CSRNation

Welcome to CSR Nation

Cajun French Music Association, plus

I went to the Baton Rouge CFMA's dance this past Friday with my Supper Club Meetup Group and we had a really good time.
The band, Briggs Brown & the Bayou Cajuns, was headed up by a 15-year old accordion player that's been playing for seven years already. It's really nice to see the upcoming generations carrying on traditions.

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of CSRNation to add comments!

Join CSRNation

Comment by from Debra Maples on September 13, 2009 at 16:31: Hey, Jennie - Just checked and Calvin is from St. Martinville in St. Martin Parish. That's south of I-10 between Lafayette and Lake Charles. About 2 hours from where I live. And, yes, proves the authentic accent because that is the heart of Cajun country. That area has some of the best cajun musicians/music and I have thought of relocating to it for that very reason. It was also hit hard by Hurricane Rita.

Comment by from Debra Maples on September 6, 2009 at 7:20: And you know, Jennie, I never even ate crawfish until I was about 21 or so. My family isn't really "Cajun" and we didn't eat crawfish when I was growing up. So, I didn't get to try them until I moved away from home and, yes, they are excellent! And Louisiana cuisine is definitely excellent. I lived away from home for 15 years in CA, Japan, FL, AL and then back to LA. The food was definitely one of the things missed most.

Comment by Jennie Ann on September 4, 2009 at 16:16: I have never been to Louisiana, Debra, but I intend on going someday. I just love Dixie. I definitely want to try some crawfish. A friend of ours is from Metairie, and he said we're in for a feast when we make it down there. Though I love the music, I can't wait to taste the Louisiana cuisine. Good music, good food, and good friends. It doesn't get any better than that!

Comment by from Debra Maples on September 4, 2009 at 11:06: 'Da man is right and is definitely sad his folks couldn't have seen it. His accent (without researching his background) sounds like he's from the Lafayette/Lake Charles area -- very authentic, especially the way he pronounces "ask". Have you ever been to LA, Jennie? If not, you would enjoy it. I didn't fully appreciate the culture we "do" have until I moved back 14 years ago after being born and raised here then moved away for 15 years and now back. I still have not explored all the state has to offer. I imagine a lot of people could say that about their home states, huh?

Comment by Jennie Ann on September 4, 2009 at 6:42: I am glad you enjoyed it, Debra. My favorite part of that clip is at 3:27 when Calvin begins to cry, looking up at the sky, wishing his mother and father could be there to see how much he's accomplished in his life. Tears well up in my eyes every time I see that, but they are happy tears. Calvin is 'da man!

Comment by from Debra Maples on September 4, 2009 at 5:07: Jennie - that video with Calvin and the Kentucky Derby is FANTASTIC! I am such a sucker for the underdog. I have to say I don't really watch horse racing, so this whole story was new to me. Now I'm going to have to go find and read all about Calvin and his history and watch the show the announcer's mention about Casey Shadow and the Rags to Riches movie. Hadn't heard of that either.

I love the internet; would we have been able to connect each other to things like this without it?? I don't think so. Thanks for sharing this with me; I love it.

Debra

Comment by Jennie Ann on September 4, 2009 at 4:32: Wow, I still get chills watching Calvin ride that rail from LAST PLACE to win the Kentucky Derby. I was screaming here at home, watching it on TV: "GO CALVIN. GO CALVIN. GO CALVIN."

I never tire of watching Calvin Borel: Calvin Borel winning Derby from LAST PLACE to FIRST

Comment by Jennie Ann on September 4, 2009 at 4:28: Wow, Briggs Brown and the Bayou Cajuns are GREAT! I love them. They really are talented. I have always had a sweet spot in my heart for Cajun music, as well as Lousiana. One of my favorite tunes to jam on with my family get-togethers is "Jambalaya."

In fact, I love everything about Louisiana. One of my all-time favorite Lousianans is Calvin Borel. I absolutely adore him. I remember when he won the Kentucky Derby the first time. Well, this past year, I put a sweat beat on him for $10. Everybody else was betting the favorites, but I knew Calvin was going to come through, and he did, riding Mine That Bird, paying me 50:1 on my sawbuck. Oh, Calvin, baby!

Comment by from Debra Maples on September 4, 2009 at 3:26: Hey, Jennie - Just had a chance to watch the Earl Scruggs and Friends clip - it was great! I didn't know Steve Martin could play the banjo and he's good too! Looks, to me, like the banjo vs. accordion are the two biggest differences between Cajun and Bluegrass? Anyway, I'm going to forward the link on to a friend that went to the CFMA dance with me; he enjoys all kinds of folk music and plays several instruments. So I'm sure he will enjoy. Can you dance to Bluegrass? Seems awfully fast for it? Wasn't sure.

Comment by from Debra Maples on September 3, 2009 at 7:17: Ok, here's a link to their myspace page that has a couple of songs. And here's a link on Youtube with some other clips there too.