The Cane River region has a rich tradition of live musical performance. The community was once home to numerous juke joints and dance halls, where farm workers could enjoy an evening of live Creole music, blues, jazz or early rock-and-roll. In honor of this tradition, Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host the 5th Annual Cane River Music Festival at Oakland Plantation on May 17th. This event is presented free and open to the public.

This year’s lineup promises to be the best yet. The festival will kick off at 11:00am with blues harmonica/guitar player Ed Huey. Ed performs and teaches American Roots Music specializing in early Blues guitar and harmonica styles. His highly interactive sets include Work Songs, Field Hollers, Hambone, Piedmont Blues, Delta Blues, Jug Band, Hokum, and Railroad Songs. Ed plays guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, mandolin, washboard, spoons and jug.

At noon, the La Cour Trio will get the crowd moving with their energetic blend of zydeco, jazz, and funk.   Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys will take the stage at 1:15pm. Thibodeaux has recently been recognized by Northwestern State University as a Master Folk Artist, and in 2012, he received a Creole Heritage award recognizing his commitment to the Creole culture and staying true to the traditional la-la music associated with the Creoles.

Grammy nominated guitarist Buddy Flett will take the stage at 2:30pm. Flett has an impeccable resume, having played with the likes of Hubert Sumlin and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Flett will be joined by special guest, harmonica player George Heard.

Headliners Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band will take the stage at 3:45pm.  Grammy winner Carrier is undeniably “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman.” Born on July 1, 1967 in Churchpoint, Chubby is the third generation of zydeco artists with such famous relatives as Roy Carrier (father), Warren Carrier (grandfather), and cousins Bebe and Calvin Carrier, who are presently considered legends in zydeco history.