Musical legends continue to show up and show out for the King of Zydeco’s 100th birthday celebration, but that’s no surprise for those who know the musical legacy of Clifton Chenier. For those who don’t, let’s start from the top. In 1955, Specialty Records released a single from a then-unknown accordion player from Opelousas, Louisiana, “Eh, 'tite Fille.” The song—“Hey, little girl” in Chenier’s Creole French dialect—was a smash hit throughout the Southeast, and Chenier took his band, the Zydeco Ramblers, on tour to promote his new record. Outside of Louisiana, the Zydeco sound took off and set Chenier down a path that would eventually lead to being crowned the King.
Seven decades later, Chenier’s influence can still be felt far and wide, and well beyond the particular walls of the genre he helped share with the world. Chenier’s Zydeco reached the R&B, blues, and eventually rock and roll musicians that would go on to sell millions of albums, be inducted into every hall of fame imaginable, and inspire countless more to pick up an instrument. Fortunately, quite a few of those musicians energized by Chenier’s fiery accordion are taking part in an all-new compilation album, A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, out June 27th on Valcour Records. From the Rolling Stones to John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams to Charley Crockett, A Tribute to the King of Zydeco is a 14-track romp through Chenier’s legendary catalog with performances from the aforementioned icons and many more, produced by GRAMMY Award-winning producer and member of Los Lobos, Steve Berlin, and Joel Savoy, Valcour Records founder and member of the “First Family of Cajun Music.”
The latest single from A Tribute to the King of Zydeco finds another singular voice in his respective genre taking on Chenier’s hit that started it all: Taj Mahal performing “Hey ‘Tite Fille” with Keith Frank—AKA the Zydeco Boss—on accordion and vocals. A staple in Chenier’s live show throughout most of his career and a standard for Zydeco bands ever since, “Hey ‘Tite Fille” had a slightly different spelling every time it was released, but the song remains as raucous and rowdy as ever. Mahal sings the song’s French and English verses with his signature explosive delivery while the world-class band shuffles around Frank’s electric accordion playing and solos from Eric Adcock (piano), Derek Huston (saxophone), and Roddie Romero (electric guitar), eliciting Chenier’s freight train Zydeco energy throughout.
Fans can stream or purchase “Hey ‘Tite Fille” today at this link, hear the project’s previously-released single, “Release Me” by Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain, and Keith Frank, here, and pre-order A Tribute to the King of Zydeco ahead of its June 27th release right here.
In addition to the announcement of A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, Valcour Records recently joined the Chenier family estate and the University of Louisiana Lafayette to form the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the King of Zydeco in 2025, the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship honors Clifton Chenier's legacy at the College of the Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The scholarship fund will offer annual financial assistance to students studying Traditional Music, specifically Zydeco accordion, at UL Lafayette. All proceeds from A Tribute to the King of Zydeco will go directly toward funding this new scholarship. To learn more about the scholarship or to donate, please visit this link.
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco Tracklist:
“Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” - The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley
“Easy Easy Baby” - Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams, Sr.
“Hey ‘Tite Fille” - Taj Mahal and Keith Frank
“Release Me” - Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain, and Keith Frank
“Just Like A Woman” - Steve Earle and Anthony Dopsie
“I'm On The Wonder” - Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor
“My Soul” - Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Nicholas, and Steve Riley
“Hot Rod” - David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier
“Tout Le Temps En Temps” - Shannon McNally, Keith Frank, and Molly Tuttle
“Ay Ai Ai” - Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers
“I May Be Wrong” - Marcia Ball and Geno Delafose
“I'm Coming Home” - CJ Chenier and Sonny Landreth
“You Used To Call Me” - John Hiatt and Roddie Romero
“Why Did You Go Last Night” - Kam Franklin, A. J. Haynes, and Roddie Romero
Album produced by Steve Berlin and Joel Savoy with Executive Producer John Leopold. “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” and “Release Me” produced by C.C. Adcock.
About Valcour Records: Louisiane. Musique. Culture. Founded in 2006, Valcour Records is an independent Louisiana music label based in Eunice. We partner with musicians, artists, and artisans to bring you music and cultural content you won’t find anywhere else. Showcasing on the world stage the extraordinary talents born from the rich and diverse cultures of Louisiana.
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco is funded through the generous support of Lafayette Travel, Rex Foundation, Gia Maione Prima Foundation, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Jeffrey & Lester Price, Steve Zieff & Elaine Leitner, Ray Flores/Pink Trailer Productions, Love of People, and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.
