Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience

This is the Spirit of Creole Country! Simien's funky brew of zydeco roots-New Orleans -world music-infused embodies everything joyful and positive about the diversity and multiculturalism of this country, and Louisiana! This is authentic roots music that was born in the South: arguably the birthplace of all American music. Est. in 1983 Simien delivers his signature sound and legendary live performances with outstanding vocals and skillful performances. His music is informed by both traditional and contemporary sounds. As one of only two emerging teenage bands in the early 1980's performing the music nationally, Simien helped revive a genre that was in jeopardy of dying off with the zydeco pioneers, who by 1995 had all passed away save for Queen Ida Guillory. Simien hails from one of the earliest families documented to settle St. Landry Parish, the heart of rural Creole country. Simien and his band mates are highly respected, skillful and proactive cultural ambassadors for their zydeco music community, the state of Louisiana and their country. Their recordings have earned them a Grammy award and have stood the test of time as Simien has long employed a thoughtful recording sensibility that produces a high quality product with creative packaging design. In 1992 Simien, et al attracted the attention of major label A&R man, Ron Goudie and a year later released their major label debut "Zydeco on the Bayou", Restless/Enigma dist. by Capitol Records. Goudie signed the band Poison. Simien as the only zydeco on the roster peacefully coexisted with indie rock bands Flaming Lips and former teen throb David Cassidy. With over 7000 documented ive performances on their resume, they built a platinum reputation and an enduring career on memorable, quality live performances. Current bandmates touring and recording with Terrance Simien is the Zydeco Experience band consisting of: Danny Williams, keyboards, vocals; Keith Sonnier; drums, vocals; Stan Chambers, bass, vocals; Eric Johanson; guitar, Ralph Fontenot, frottoir/ rubboard; Richard Trahan, sound engineer. Their global reach to more than 45 countries has helped elevate the music to a new level. Cuba, Brazil, Australia, Paraguay, Seychelles, Mauritius, DR, Ukraine, Georgia, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Canada and Rodrigues with a native Kreole population. They are seen and have music in a more than a dozen films (Disney, HBO, feature films) and national TV advertising They have done multiple US State Dept. US Embassy tours, corporate events (Microsoft, Ben&Jerry, Burton Snowboards, MCI, Turner Broadcasting, etc), syndicated radio shows and an official Louisiana State tourism TV commercial. Their groundbreaking Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco educational, youth, family and student performing arts program has reached 500,000 k-12 students, teachers and parents since it was created in 2000. They've shared stage and studio with Dave Matthews Band, Los Lobos, the Meters, Robert Palmer, Paul Simon, Taj Mahal, Marcia Ball, Stevie Wonder (Clinton Gore inauguration) and Dr. John to name a few.