Press Releases

Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience from Lafayette, Louisiana Wins First Cajun/Zydeco Grammy

February 11, 2008

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience is the winner of the first Grammy for Best Zydeco and Cajun Music Album.  Terrance Simien claimed the honor on Sunday, February 10th during the Grammy’s pre-telecast ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  The Zydeco/Cajun Grammy is one of 100 Grammys awarded during the 50th ceremony of the Grammy Awards. 

The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or "Grammys"—are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States of America for outstanding achievements in the record industry. The awards ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and some of the more prominent Grammy Awards are presented in a widely-viewed televised ceremony. The Grammys are considered the highest music honor, the U.S. record industry's equivalent to the Academy Awards (Oscars) for motion pictures.

Terrance and the Zydeco Experience toured Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Seychelles last August 2007 through the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis in partnership with the Mauritian Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Rodriguan Commission for the Arts, the Seychellois Ministry of Youth, and Community Development, and Air Mauritius.  The public concerts and educational workshops organized on all three venues were warmly received by the public and students.

Terrance Simien and his band won the Grammy for their CD “Live! Worldwide.”   Terrance, a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, and the president and lead singer of the group, and his Zydeco Experience ensemble are celebrating 26 years of recording and touring over 40 countries.