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Honoring Chubby Carrier: 30 years of zydeco music

Posted at 9:55 PM, Oct 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-13 00:34:49-04

LAFAYETTE – Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is now underway and in this first night. Special honors were given to a very special musician.

Chubby Carrier celebrates thirty years in the music industry, opening up for the first night of the festival.

“I formed the band, and I got back with the band about 1988. Started doing some touring and in ’89, we hit the road, touring 275 days a year. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band was determined to take zydeco music all around the world,” Carrier explained.

Carrier came back “home” on Friday night, giving the people of southern Louisiana a chance to hear the zydeco music they know and love.

“My father was my inspiration. My grandfather was my inspiration. They were both accordion players. I am the third accordion player that has played in my family to date. So, they inspired me. I started my band because of them. I wanted to be like them,” Carrier said. “So, I took off and told my daddy, ‘I want to take this music all over the world and spread the zydeco gospel.”

He completed his mission, and now, thirty years later, he’s back home celebrating with family.

“I never thought in a million years I would be sitting here, saying I am celebrating thirty years of music. In 2010, I won a Grammy with the best zydeco and Cajun album but never thought I would be going this long with it. So, I am honored to be here at Festivals Acadiens, doing my 30 years,” Carrier said.

Chubby said this is only the beginning of what’s to come, and he’s got a lot of gas left in his tank.