Band Services

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. In March, we played Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle--- great gig. It is part of the Louisiana House Party that happens every month on the second Wednesday. We had a lot of new people from out of town.

In February, we played at the Mountaineer's Cabin at Stampede Pass. Meany Lodge was built in 1938! They still have the old fashioned rope tows, bunk beds, mess hall. This is great place to get back country skiing/boarding access with really good food and lodging included. Next year, come on Cajun Weekend for the gumbo and music.

In January, we played at the Snorting Elk Cellar at Crystal Mountain Ski resort. This is the first time we've played for ski passes, room and board---- I can't wait to go again. In fact, I'd be happy to snowboard by day and play music at night for a bunch of winter weekends next year.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Check out a sample of cajun and zydeco music to make sure you have an idea of our sound. It is a pretty specific set list. It helps if you have the date, time of the event, address and any other specific such as load-in time and break down time.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. If you are the customer, you want to plan early and work out the details of the contract with the band. For example, cajun and zydeco bands are tough to find on New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, Memorial Weekend and July 4th weekend. Once the 1/2 deposit is made for our services, we are secured on that date.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. For hiring Cajun and Zydeco bands, I think it is valuable to listen to the style of music ahead of time. Those of us that play traditional music are sometimes asked to play top 40 tunes, or music from another genre. It helps if the consumer is happy with the band's set list. WHOZYAMAMA, for example, plays tunes from Dewey Balfa, Canray Fontenot, Boozoo Chavis, Iry Lejune, Mark Savoy, Amadee Ardoin, Preston Frank.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I'm very proud of the cumulative experience that each member brings to the stage. Claudia, Claudette and Tami were in "Les Femmes d'Enfer" from 1994 - 2005. Claudia played in "Chank a Chank" and "Troupeau Acadian", and several others. Doug Warren led "Bayou Boogie" and now "New Riders of the Quimper Grange". Doug plays guitar for WHOZYAMAMA, but is an accordion, fiddle, guitar, drum and bass player as well. Todd Fisher plays in the "Delta Reys", as well as several other bands. Claudette and I teach Cajun accordion, vocal, fiddle, and dance at the Lark Camp in Mendocino each year. There is something very genuine in having Claudette as part of the music because for her, it isn't just a music style, it is part of her culture.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love playing weddings-- indoor and outdoors. For just a day, we are part of a big family creating a memorable reception.

I love playing for dances that last a few hours --- there is an energy that comes from the dancers, that gets the band REALLY going, that goes right back out to the dancers, and so on.

I love playing for kids/teaching-- playing close up in an acoustic setting. I like to watch them sort out where the different sounds are coming from....the accordion.... the fiddle....the rubboard and triangle. The dancing is relatively easy to teach as are some of the cajun french vocals.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. While our pricing system isn't complicated, it does need to be calculated for each performance based on size of the band, space, sound, travel and competing gigs for that date.