http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/ Zydeco Online en-us Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:59:20 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly Zydeco Online News http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/images/logo.gif http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/ http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=490 2nd Annual L'argent Trailride and Chicken Run Lil' Nathan Celebrates the Mardi Gras Season with A Trailride, Chicken Run and CD Release Party! January 27, 2012 by Rod Sias www.ZydecoOnline.com 2nd Annual L'argent Trailride and Chicken Run February 17th, 18th, 19th, 2012 ISBF Lodge - Leonville, Louisiana! Zydeco Nation!!! Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers will be "Doin' It Big Time" and heating up the Mardi Gras season with the 2nd Annual L'argent Trailride and Chicken Run on February 17th, 18th, & 19th, 2012 at the historic ISBF Logde in Leonville, Louisiana! If you think this is a typical trailride, you might what to rethink that thought because the 2nd Annual L'argent Trailride and Chicken Run will not only have a host of hot Zydeco and Southern Soul bands, the trairide will host the CD release party of one of the most highly anticipated CDs in the Zydeco Nation! Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timer's CD entitled "BIG TIMER NATION - GO HARD OR GO HOME!" has recieved outstanding reviews, and the CD's singles release has recieved a significant amount of radio play. "BIG TIMER NATION - GO HARD OR GO HOME!" is worth the wait, and will be released and heard by the Zydeco Nation on February 17th, 18th, & 19th, 2012! 2nd Annual L'argent Trailride and Chicken Run Commercial www.facebook.com/lilnathanandthezydecobigtimers Video Credits: Lola Love (The Zydeco Lady) www.ZydecoWorkout.com SELECT THE READ MORE BUTTON BELOW FOR FULL LINE UP Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:59:20 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=489 Opelousas Lives Up To Zydeco Capital Title November 3, 2011 by Herman Fusilier The Advertiser Newspaper Google "zydeco trail ride" and the first result comes from, ironically, the New York Times. The link leads to a lengthy, Times Travel feature, published last April. Writer Shaila Dewan waxes poetically about her trip to the Pineywoods Trail Ride in Evangeline Parish. Dewan not only details her new love affair with trail rides, she also explains to the Times' 916,000 readers exactly what zydeco is. "It uses the accordion and washboard, more often called a scrub-board, and went mainstream in the mid-1980s with the help of the hit song "My Toot Toot" and the Dennis Quaid movie "The Big Easy." Perhaps because of the movie, many people associate zydeco with New Orleans. But zydeco is country music, created by Creole cowboys." This weekend, Opelousas shows why it's the capital of zydeco country. The city hosts Step-N-Strut, one of the biggest events on the zydeco trail ride circuit. Throw in the Holy Ghost Creole Festival, a separate event that includes lots of zydeco, and it's easy to see why the state legislature crowned Opelousas as the Zydeco Music Capital of the World. More than 10,000 local residents and visitors are expected to pass through the gates of both three-day events, with many fans spending time at each. The 19th annual Creole Fest officially starts first with catfish dinners on sale at 10 a.m. Friday and a gospel concert at 7 p.m. Friday. The fest is a fundraiser for Holy Ghost Catholic Church, home of the nation's largest congregation of African-American Catholics. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Sat, 12 Nov 2011 01:00:00 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=488 Step-N-Strut Draws Crowd November 6, 2011 by William Johnson The Daily World Newspaper Riders travel along Highway 31 during the Step-N-Strut Trail Ride, which is a gigantic horse parade, at Evangeline Downs Sunday, November 6, 2011, in Opelousas. (Photo by Brad Kemp) Sunday afternoon parking at and around Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino in Opelousas was at a premium for this year's Step-N-Strut Trail Ride. "We have had about 8,000 to 10,000 people each day. About 70 to 80 percent of them are from out of town," said Torry Lemelle, who with her husband, Dave, has hosted the event for the past 13 years. One of those out-of-towners was Cardayon Nimer, who made the trip from Houston, Texas. "It's been wonderful," said Nimer, who has been on the grounds since Friday. "The bands, hanging out with friends and family and having fun, that's what it's all about." While the event is billed as Louisiana's biggest trail ride, it is the people and an impressive array of Zydeco musicians that brought out most visitors. Lemelle said the Sunday afternoon ride was strictly limited to 1,000 horses and riders this year. It also followed as many little used roads as possible to limit problems. While few have objected to the festival, the ride, which has attracted as many as 4,000 riders in past years, has been a major concern for some area residents. In past years they have complained of roads closed for hours, about litter and damage to property left in ride's wake and other concerns. To address such problems, the parish council has been debating a new ordinance to limit trail rides in the parish and Lemelle said she and her husband have been an important part of that debate. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:10:11 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=487 Holy Ghost Fest A Hit! The 19th annual Holy Ghost Creole Festival Continues! November 5, 2011 By Judy Bastien The Daily World Newspaper Helen Robinson is busy at work in the funnel cake booth at the 19th annual Holy Ghost Creole Festival. The fall weather was perfect Saturday for the 19th annual three-day Holy Ghost Creole Festival, which began Friday evening with performances from local gospel groups. Saturday was a full day of events that began at 9 a.m. and stretched to 10 p.m. The church's annual fundraiser, held on the grounds of the former Holy Ghost Catholic School, has become a tradition in the community, attracting thousands who drop by throughout the weekend to listen to local music and sample food from a number of booths or to let the kids play on the fun jumps or other games. There was a variety of Creole delicacies to choose from, but the hands-down favorite Saturday morning was the festival's legendary pork stew. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=486 Step-N-Strut To Take New Route Today November 5, 2011 by Judy Bastien The Daily World Newspaper Trail ride enthusiast walk their horses Saturday morning as they prepare to ride in today's Step-n-Strut ride which begins at 11 a.m. at Evangeline Downs and makes its way down La. 31. Evangeline Downs Race Track and Casino is playing host to thousands of visitors, all in town for the 13th annual Step 'n' Strut Trail Ride. Parked outside the building are campers and horse trailers, all belonging to trail ride enthusiasts. Some estimate the number of participants at upwards of 10,000 people, who spend the weekend in Opelousas for the annual event. The cowgirls and cowboys began arriving Friday and settled in for a day of relaxation and music all day Saturday, with the trail ride beginning at 11 a.m. today. The ride, which has traditionally followed La. 31 out to the IFBS Lodge, will take a different route, this year. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:50:42 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=485 2011 Annual Holy Ghost Creole Festival Zydeco Nation's Largest Creole Festival In Its 19th Year! November 2, 2011 by Rod Sias www.ZydecoOnline.com SELECT THE READ MORE BUTTON BELOW FOR THE FULL STORY Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:26:30 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=484 2011 Annual Step-N_Strut Trailride Riding High 13th Annual LA Super Ride Back In Opelousas, Louisiana! November 2, 2011 by Rod Sias www.ZydecoOnline.com 13th Annual Step-N-Strut Trailride November 4th, 5th, & 6th, 2011 www.StepNStrutRiders.com www.StepNStrutRiders.webs.com One of the largest Trailrides in the Zydeco Nation is back for another year in Opelousas, Louisiana, the Zydeco Capital of the World! This year's Step-N-Strut Trailride will take place at the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on November 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2011. So brushem' down, saddle up, and ride out with those Step-N-Strut Riders and the hottest bands in the Zydeco and Southern Soul Nation for a weekend of good food, great music, fine horsemanship, and family fun!!! It's a new location, but the same good feeling!!! SELECT THE READ MORE BUTTON BELOW FOR FULL LINE UP Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:38:28 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=483 Albert "Red Rooster" Charles Transitions Rodeo and Trailride Legend Rides On To Glory October 20, 2011 by Rod Sias www.ZydecoOnline.com Albert Leon Charles "Red Rooster" (1924 - October 18, 2011) All True Cowboy & Trailrider! Rest In Peace photo courtesy of Acynthia Villery Bill Picket Trailriders Visitation: Saturday October 22, 2011 (9:00am - 2:00pm) Going Home Service: Saturday October 22, 2011 (2:00pm) East Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1197 Corley Street, Beaumont, Texas Interment Services: Bingham Cemetery in Hardin, Texas Under the direction of Calvary Mortuary in Beaumont, Texas (409) 838-0159 Albert Leon Charles, a mainstay in the Black Cowboy, Rodeo, and Trailride tradition passed away on October 18, 2011 in Beaumont, Texas at the grand old age of 87. Born in 1924, Mr. Albert received his first horse and began riding at the age of five. He became known as the "Red Rooster" from Hardin and over the years became a fixture in the Trailride, Zydeco, and Rodeo tradition. He lived the life of a true cowboy, playing the harmonica, wearing his rustic cowboy hat and boots every where he went, brushing down, saddling up his favorite horse Zydeco Bill and "make em' do what da Rooster say!" In 2009, Albert "Red Rooster" Charles received the Bill Picket Trailriders Living Legend Award. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:19:17 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=482 85 Year Old Cowboy And His Dancing Horse, Zydeco Bill October 20, 2011 Originally Published: June 12, 2009 by Ashley Gaston KFDM News Albert "Red Rooster" Charles riding his favorite horse Zydeco Bill An 85 year old Southeast Texas cowboy is being honored as a living legend at the Fifth Annual Bill Pickett Trail Riders Rodeo. This cowboy is suiting up and getting ready. He's fully equipped for the rodeo with his chaps, spurs and alligator skin boots. "I used to ride goats, hogs, chicken, anything you name it and I did it," said Albert Leon Charles. His name is Albert Leon Charles but he says most know him as "Red Rooster" from Hardin. "If I ain't there, there ain't no rodeo," said Rooster. Rooster began competing in rodeos when he was five years old and got his first horse. He knew then he'd ride until the day he dies. But at 85 years old, Rooster says he has a lot of competition left. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:40:00 GMT http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=481 Geno Delafose Has Following That Perseveres Over Time Geno Delafose Lives The Life Of A True Cowboy. October 6, 2011 by Herman Fuselier Zydeco Musician Geno Delafose www.GenoDelafoseMusic.com Ask Sandra Fowler of Lafayette how many times she's seen Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie and she needs a calculator. Fowler estimates that she and her husband, Ned, have gone to Delafose's dances at least three times a weekend, every weekend, for the past 10 years. The Fowlers have even gone as far as Long Beach, California and Tampa, Florida to boogie with Geno. "Geno's a genuine person," said Fowler. "He's awesome. We try to go see other people, but we always come back to him. "He's consistent. He plays to the crowd and knows how to work the crowd. We don't like the bands who play to each other instead of the crowd. "We traveled to Rome and Switzerland and we brought his CDs with us. We never leave him behind. We always have Geno with us." The Fowlers were among several thousand fans who turned out for the 14th annual Geno Delafose Fan Appreciation Party Saturday at Lakeview Park and Beach in Eunice. Delafose treated his faithful followers to free music and food at his party, which rivals the attendance of some established festivals. SELECT THE "READ MORE" BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:43:08 GMT