AGIN' CAJUNS

The coolest radio station in Austin (KGSR) airs the coolest live broadcast, called etown, on Sunday evenings. On my way back from meeting friends at The Salt Lick last night, I was lucky enough to catch a bit of it. Etown's mission is to educate, entertain and inspire a diverse audience, through music and conversation, to create a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable world. Hosts Nick and Helen Forster mix two musical guests and a message from one interview guest with a little humor and a lotta energy to create a one-of-a-kind live radio show that hearkens back to days of yore. Each show culminates with a grand finale number and the presentation of that week's e-chievement award.

One of last night's guests happened to be those illustrious legends of Cajun music, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. I was introduced to this group years ago by my SIL's family, who hail from Lafayette, LA, BeauSoleil's home town. I liked their chanka-chank music primarily because it was fun to dance to (kinda like a two-step, with a bit of a polka hop or jig thrown in), and trying to translate the French lyrics that were thrown in now and again was always good practice. I didn't really know much about the group itself, though, until last night. That's when I found out that back in the 60's and 70's, Cajun music was on its way to becoming a lost art. These guys were mere high school kids when they realized that the great masters of the genre were dying off, and it didn't look like anyone else was going to pick up the ball and run with it. So, they made it their mission to travel around and work with those that were left, and do whatever they could to keep the music alive. They even went into the schools, to introduce it to new generations. Over time, they managed to do for Cajun what the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou did for Bluegrass. Tres bien, non? An accomplishment these "agin' Cajuns" should be most proud of.

P.S. Many thanks to thirstyyearfestival.com for the above image.