Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience Nominated for a Grammy

Recording industry veteran helps establish a new Grammy category to create more opportunities for Louisiana Zydeco and Cajun Music Artists. This internationally known artist and advocate is one of Louisiana's favorite sons and Rolling Stone calls him "A Zydeco Master, his voice yearning like Sam Cooke he delivers soul worthy of Stax greats and shows crossover class."

Lafayette, LA (Billboard Publicity Wire) December 13, 2007 -- Terrance Simien's first recording was a vinyl 45 in 1983 while still in high school. 24 years later and more than 2 dozen recordings to his credit, Simien has been nominated for a Grammy in the brand new category "Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album." The same one he and his wife/manager, Cynthia Simien, worked 6 ½ years to establish. We extend our sincerest gratitude to The Recording Academy and their Trustees for their support.

Zydeco is the indigenous music of the French speaking rural Creoles that has become synonymous with the cultural and musical identity of Louisiana and Live! Worldwide celebrates the vibrancy of an artist whose voice has become a signature sound for Louisiana and this music genre.

This release was recorded while Terrance and the Zydeco Experience were touring the globe as they have been doing for decades. There are tracks recorded in Australia, Mali, Chicago and New York. There are many Simien originals like "Dance Everyday" that incorporates his signature Afro Caribbean sound creating a more global posture for his traditional zydeco. There is a rocking Meters medley and once again he covers his idol Bob Dylan with "Mississippi" customized as a tribute to those who lost so much from Katrina. Simien closes with an a cappella "Star Spangled Banner" dedicated to our troops. He sang this same version in Havana, Cuba on the 4th of July in 2005 for the US State Department. It moved US Ambassador, James Cason so deeply he requested Simien perform it again for a similar celebration in Paraguay.    

Simien's eventful career began during a time in the early 1980's when zydeco was at a crossroads. He became one of the only emerging artists from his Creole community performing and recording the music professionally. After touring millions of miles and performing thousands of times in over 40 countries, Simien has amassed some very impressive credentials while building a career that has helped catapult his traditional music to an international level of recognition.

He can be seen in the recent HBO documentary film, "The Music in Me: Children's Recitals from Classical to Latin, Jazz to Zydeco" featuring a young zydeco accordion prodigy Simien mentored. His music has been used in countless national commercials including a current Sylvania light bulb commercial where he is seen on screen. He has entertained Clinton and Gore at their 1997 Presidential Inaugural Ball where Stevie Wonder appeared grooving to the Simien zydeco experience and jumped onstage to play harmonica with the band. He became favorites of Ben and Jerry at their festivals and at Burton Snowboard's Christmas parties. He was featured on screen in the blockbuster movie "The Big Easy" and co-wrote a song with Dennis Quaid for the platinum selling movie soundtrack.

Simien has shared studio and stage with legendary artists Paul Simon, Garth Hudson, the late Rick Danko, David Hidalgo and Los Lobos. A young Simien toured with the group during the time when "La Bamba" was a radio hit. A seasoned Art Neville took time to work closely with him on his debut album and the late Robert Palmer introduced Simien to his audiences from coast to coast while touring in the early 1990's as did Dave Matthews Band in 2001. Each of these artists has supported Simien throughout his career always recognizing how critical his contributions have been to the rich indigenous music culture that was born from the fertile soil of Louisiana.

He is currently working on recording projects with Marcia Ball and Dr. John. He will be featured in an upcoming TV commercial for the State of Louisiana Office of Tourism.

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