Take My Hand / Wayne Toups & Zydecajun LIVE West Baton Rouge / Glen Warner / 2012

Certainly one of the most exciting musicians to come out of Acadiana is Wayne Toups. From the moment he bursts on-stage with his accordion, Toups is going full blast and the show is only going up from there. In short, Toups will blow your dance socks off.

His electrifying stage presence is due somewhat to his persona; often sporting a Hawaiian shirt, head band, and ponytail, he is a man in constant motion. It is also because he is a fantastic musician on his accordion, performing a brand of music he calls Zydecajun. As the name suggests, his style fuses the traditional Cajun country sound with the bluesier sound of zydeco, with a definite rock & roll twist and Cajun roots rock is what it is.

Toups, was immersed in his Cajun heritage as a child in Crowley, LA. He started playing accordion when he was 13 and soon headed for the stage, performing the music of accordion masters like Iry LeJeune and Belton Richard. After a stint with Camey Doucet, Toups was inspired by him to try to reach a new generation of music listeners. He became a revolutionary: He created his own art form called Zydecajun.

Toups released an album by that name in 1987. His rock 'n' roll style and primarily English lyrics had an instant appeal for a new mainstream audience, as well as Cajun music afficionados open to something new. And new it was, with Toups listing as musical influences R&B stars Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin, as well as the Allman Brothers and the Doobie Brothers. He added them to the musical gumbo of his culture for a sound all his own that has won him a huge following.

Toups has stormed on, with numerous recordings to his credit, while keeping up a frenetic touring pace. He is on the road most of the time and has taken his unique sound all over the world, 26 countries to be exact. Festival and television appearances have made him one of the most visible musicians of his culture. His work is on soundtracks for television (Broken Badges) and the movies (Steel Magnolias). He has backed many renowned singers, including Mark Chesnutt and Clay Walker, and played with Allen Jackson and many others also.

If you are looking for great music and a good time one suggestion is to check out a Toups show when near you.