South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous

South to Louisiana chronicles the development of Cajun music from its roots in French Louisiana through its evolution and commercialization in the 20th century. Author John Broven documents the key artists, record labels, and cultural forces that shaped this distinctive American musical tradition. The book traces how accordion-driven Cajun music and its close cousin zydeco emerged from bayou dance halls to reach national audiences. Broven examines influential figures like Amédé Ardoin, Dennis McGee, and Nathan Abshire through interviews and historical research that establish their roles in the genre's growth. The narrative follows Cajun music's path from local phenomenon to its intersection with country music, swamp pop, and rock and roll. Detailed portraits of recording studios, radio stations, and music venues illuminate the business and cultural environment that allowed this regional sound to flourish. This comprehensive history serves as both a reference work and a meditation on how geography, ethnicity, and commerce combine to create and sustain musical traditions. The book makes clear that Cajun music's story reflects larger patterns in American cultural preservation and change.

Readers value this book as a detailed history and reference guide for Cajun and South Louisiana music. Many note its thoroughness in chronicling artists, record labels, and venues from the 1920s through the 1980s. Likes: - Depth of research and historical documentation - Personal interviews with musicians - Coverage of both Cajun and zydeco genres - Inclusion of rare photos and discographies Dislikes: - Some sections feel dated (published 1983) - Writing style can be dry and academic - Limited coverage of post-1980s developments Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The definitive history of South Louisiana music" - Amazon reviewer "Great factual reference but sometimes reads like a textbook" - Goodreads user "Needed more about modern Cajun artists" - Goodreads reviewer

Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People by Ann Allen Savoy A documentation of Louisiana's Cajun musicians through first-hand accounts, photographs, and musical transcriptions from the 1800s through the twentieth century.

Cajun Country by Barry Jean Ancelet and Jay Edwards An ethnographic exploration of Cajun culture through music, food, festivals, and traditions in South Louisiana.

The Kingdom of Zydeco by Michael Tisserand A chronicle of Louisiana's zydeco music from its rural roots to urban dance halls, focusing on the musicians and cultural forces that shaped the genre.

Traditional Music in Coastal Louisiana by Joshua Clegg Caffery A collection of field recordings, song texts, and historical analysis of folk songs from Louisiana's French-speaking communities.

Dancing to the Promised Land: From the Streets of New Orleans to the Kingdom of Zydeco by Robert Mugge An examination of Louisiana's musical heritage through the interconnected stories of jazz, blues, zydeco, and Cajun music traditions.

🎵 John Broven spent over a decade researching and interviewing Louisiana musicians, recording executives, and DJs to create this comprehensive chronicle of Cajun and zydeco music. 🎭 The book traces Cajun music's evolution from its origins as French folk songs through its transformations via influences from country & western, blues, and early rock 'n' roll. 🎺 Nathan Abshire, profiled extensively in the book, helped popularize the Cajun accordion after WWII and was instrumental in the genre's revival, despite being unable to read or write music. 🎸 The book details how the oil boom of the 1950s brought new prosperity to Louisiana's Cajun country, leading to more music venues and recording opportunities for local musicians. 📻 KBON radio station, featured in the book, played a crucial role in preserving Cajun culture by being one of the first stations to broadcast Cajun music and French language programming regularly.