Louisiana is truly the melting pot of the South. The mixture of ethnicities and backgrounds that make up the local culture has made Louisiana a breeding ground for musical talent. Country and rockabilly music are both popular styles with deep roots in the northern half of the state. In southern Louisiana, Cajun music and Zydeco are homegrown genres. New Orleans, meanwhile, has long been famous for jazz and blues.
A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll
North Louisiana, home to Monroe, Shreveport, and numerous small towns, is similar in character to surrounding Southern states. Contemporary country music stars from the region include Kix Brooks and Tim McGraw. While country and rock and roll reign supreme here, other musical genres can be found as well.
Shreveport put itself on the musical map with Louisiana Hayride, a radio show broadcast from the city's Municipal Auditorium beginning in 1948. Numerous musical luminaries played on the show, including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Horton, and Johnny Cash. Today, travelers can stop by the auditorium to view its beautiful art deco architecture, tour the stage where musicians played, visit the Stage of Stars museum, and browse the gift shop.
For country music lovers, the Louisiana Country Music Museum is not to be missed. Located in the Rebel State Commemorative Area at the Toledo Bend Reservoir, the museum pays tribute to those who contributed to the region's country and folk music. Visitors can also check out a listening room and library. In addition to the museum, the park has an amphitheater which hosts many festivals and musical events, including the Annual Fiddling Championship.
Another point of note in the upper half of the Pelican State is the town of Ferriday. Ferriday spawned several music legends, such as Mickey Gilley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Jimmy Swaggart, a cousin of Gilley and Lewis. The town's Delta Music Museum profiles famous Louisiana musicians from a variety of genres, including country, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and more. In addition to Ferriday's own native talents, the museum pays tribute to such musicians as Aaron Neville, Jimmie Davis, and Conway Twitty.
For something completely different, stop by the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens in Monroe. Joe Biedenharn made his fortune in the late 1800s by bottling and marketing a new soda fountain drink, Coca-Cola. The savvy businessman also had a love for the arts, as did his wife, a piano player. He supported his musically gifted daughter, Emma Louise, who made her debut as an opera singer in Europe and became successful in her own right. The family's home and exquisite gardens are now a museum located on Riverside Drive. Some of the museum's displays include opera paraphernalia and music exhibits from the family's life. And you can still buy a Coke in the bottle for a nickel.
Cajun and Zydeco Music
Musically, the southern half of Louisiana is known primarily for two things - Cajun and Zydeco music, and the New Orleans music scene. Cajun music originated in southwest Louisiana from the French Acadians. This music usually includes a fiddle and an accordion, with lyrics often sung in French. Zydeco originated from the African American and Caribbean Creole culture. A hybrid of styles, it includes Cajun and other influences. The name Zydeco is derived from a French term that translates to "the snap beans are not salty," meaning times were so hard people could not afford to season their food. Key instruments include the accordion, a wash or rub board also known as the frottier, a bass guitar, and drums.
To experience these distinctive styles of music, visit the many local music halls, restaurants, and bars that feature live music on a regular basis. The music is especially popular during crawfish season, often played during crawfish boils and traditional fais do-dos, Cajun community dances. Fais do-dos are still held at some Cajun restaurants such as Mulate's in Breaux Bridge and Randol's in Lafayette, as well as at festivals.
Speaking of festivals, Louisiana hosts nearly 100 festivals throughout the year celebrating the local Cajun and Creole cultures through its music, dance, and food. A few annual festivals include:
Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas
Cajun Fun Fest in New Iberia
Cane River Zydeco Festival in Natchitoches
Marshland Festival in Lake Charles
French Acadian Music Festival in Abbeville
Le Cajun Awards and Music Festival in Eunice
Cajun Country Outdoor Opry and Fais Do-Do in Houma
New Orleans Music Scene
No mention of music in Louisiana is complete without New Orleans jazz. The Big Easy is the birthplace of jazz, and continues to be an important part of the jazz scene. Preservation Hall, located in the French Quarter a few blocks from the Mississippi River, is where it really all started. This historic building still hosts live music on any given night, with musicians ranging from jazz masters in their 80s to young up-and-comers.
Also in the French Quarter is the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park. Part of the National Park Service, this park is a great place to visit during the week to learn about the history, music, and musicians of jazz. On the weekends, live jazz performances make it a fun spot to spend some time.
At any time, the French Quarter is the place to go to hear jazz. Many local bars and restaurants offer live jazz, such as the Palm Court Jazz Café and the Court of Two Sisters daily Jazz Brunch. The local casinos also present jazz music. Even just strolling down the street, you're likely to hear jazz from street musicians, especially near Jackson Square in front of St. Louis Cathedral. Many tour operators also offer jazz and dinner tours in the evenings.
To really immerse yourself in jazz and other music, attend the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, held in the spring each year. The festival lasts for two weekends, incorporating Louisiana heritage sites and culture into the festivities. In addition to jazz, it includes musicians from a variety of genres. Appearing on the stages are world-renowned artists such as Harry Connick, Jr., Percy Sledge, John Legend, Stephen Marley, the Allman Brothers, Better than Ezra, and ZZ Top.
Louisiana is such a cultural melting pot, it's no wonder the state's musical styles are so soulful and enticing. Cajun music and Zydeco beg for dancing, while the smoky bars of New Orleans are the epitome of what jazz represents. Country and rock provide even more toe-tapping sounds to enjoy. Music lovers visiting Louisiana are sure to find plenty to see - and hear.
Louisiana has an active Arts and Entertainment scene.
