Lee Benoit
Encyclopedia
Early life
Lee was born in Louisiana, USA in 1959. At the age of five, he was given an electric organ by his grandmother, who raised him. He started to play Christmas songs on it, by ear.At the age of twelve, he started to play the electric guitar and formed a band. They played rock n' roll and were influenced by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
, Hank Williams and others. Lee also learnt to play the bass guitar during his teenage years.
In 1976, he joined the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
as an Automated Data Processor. After leaving the Marines in 1979, he returned to education. In 1985, he became a nationally registered paramedic. He worked as a paramedic on an ambulance for seven years and then for another seven years on an oil platform. He continued to play rock and country music in his spare time.
Inspiration and first recording
At the age of 29, he was inspired to take up the accordion by hearing the Cajun performer Wayne Toups. Lee fell in love with the instrument and playing Cajun music. He soon added Cajun songs to his set lists.In 1993, he signed to the Master-Trak label and in 1994 recorded his first CD (Lee Benoit Avec Amis). The album was nominated for "Best First Album" and "Valerie" was nominated for "Song of the Year" by the Cajun French Music Association
Cajun French Music Association
The Cajun French Music Association is an association dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Cajun music and culture.-History:The Cajun French Music Association is a non-profit organization of Cajuns and non-Cajuns whose purpose is to promote and preserve, not only Cajun music, but also...
. Floyd's Record Shop, Louisiana ("Officially Louisiana's Oldest Record Store"), described Benoit as 'the cream of the crop' of the new generation of musicians coming out of South Louisiana.
Performances, recordings and recognition
He performs with his group Lee Benoit & The Bayou Stompers. They are one of the most active Cajun bands in South Louisiana performing five nights a week at some of the most popular Cajun restaurants from Breaux Bridge to New Orleans. They occasionally take their music on the road and perform at festivals and special events. Lee is very proud of his Cajun heritage and spends a great deal of his time performing traditional and contemporary Cajun music.After the success of his first album, he contiuned to record his own albums as well as contributing to several CDs by other musicians. In 1995, he recorded "Third Generation" with Hadley Castille
Hadley Castille
-Early life:Castille was born to a Cajun French speaking family. His father was named François Castille. He learned to play the fiddle from his Uncle Cyprien Castille at around the age of 9. After moving around for a while, he ended up in Pecaniere - a small community near Leonville, LA...
. He also played on Hadley's "Forty Acres and Two Mules" album in 2000.
He recorded with the group Les Amies Louisianaises on their La Musique Unique des Acadiens CD in 1997.
Lee played accordion and guitar on Doug Kershaw
Doug Kershaw
Doug Kershaw, born January 24, 1936, is an American fiddle player, singer and songwriter from Louisiana. Active since 1949, Kershaw has recorded fifteen albums and charted on the Hot Country Songs charts.- Early life :...
's "Two Step Fever" CD in 1999. He also co-produced and played guitar on Hunter Hayes
Hunter Hayes (musician)
Hunter Easton Hayes is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is signed to Atlantic Records Nashville, which released his debut single "Storm Warning" on May 16th, 2011. His self titled album was released on October 11, 2011.-Biography:Hayes was born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana...
"Through My Eyes" CD in 1999 and co-produced Hunter's second CD, "Make A Wish", in 2001.
In 2002, he played accordion on Don Haynie & Sheryl Samuel's songs God Bless Louisiana and Country Tavern on Saturday Night.
In 1998, he released his second album, "Live at Vermilionville" which was nominated in five categories by the Cajun French Music Association: "Male Vocalist Of The Year", "Accordionist Of The Year", "Album Of The Year", "Band Of The Year" and "Song Of The Year". He won the latter award, for "The Visit", co-written by Richard D. Meaux and Freddie Pate, at the ceremony on August 13, 1999.
In September 2000, Lee released his third CD, "Dis N Dat".
In 2001, he was awarded "Accordionist Of The Year" and in 2002 earned the "Presidents Award" from the Cajun French Music Association.
Lee recorded and mixed his fourth CD, "Ma Petite Femme" at his home and it was released in 2005. This album cemented his reputation, with Lee winning "Male Vocalist Of The Year", "Accordionist Of The Year" and "Song Of The Year" (with the title song "Ma Petite Femme") from the Cajun French Music Association. Lee also received nominations for "Best Recording Of The Year" and "Peoples Choice 2006". On August 19, 2011, Lee was the recipient of the Heritage Award at the Le Cajun Awards Show by the Cajun French Music Association for outstanding contributions and dedication to the preservation of the Cajun culture.
See also
- Cajun MusicCajun musicCajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...
- History of Cajun MusicHistory of Cajun musicCajun music has its roots based in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada and Country music.-Early years:The first form of traditional cajun music began before the 20th century in south Louisiana. When the Acadians came from New Brunswick & Nova Scotia to Louisiana in 1764, they...
- List of Notable People Related to Cajun Music
- Cajun French Music AssociationCajun French Music AssociationThe Cajun French Music Association is an association dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Cajun music and culture.-History:The Cajun French Music Association is a non-profit organization of Cajuns and non-Cajuns whose purpose is to promote and preserve, not only Cajun music, but also...
Discography
- Avec Amis (1994)
- Live At Vermilionville (1998)
- Dis 'N' Dat (2000)
- Ma Petite Femme (2005)