There is exactly one accordion player in the world whose legacy could inspire a group of fans like The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Taj Majal, Steve Earle, and more for a 100th birthday all-star tribute: The King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. Bursting onto the scene in 1955 with his first hit, “Eh, 'tite Fille,” Chenier blended blues and R&B, and Afro-Cuban rhythms with Louisiana Creole music setting dancefloors and AM receivers alight from the deep South, across the pond, and beyond until his passing in 1987. This June, Louisiana-based Valcour Records will help celebrate the genre-pioneering Louisiana musician’s centennial with the release of A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, 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,” A Tribute to the King is due out on June 27th.
Today, Valcour released the first single from A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, “Release Me,” featuring Americana legend Lucinda Williams, Hall of Fame Swamp Pop musician Tommy McClain, and the “Zydeco Boss” himself, Keith Frank, on accordion. Showcasing Chenier’s love for soulful rhythm and blues, “Release Me” was initially recorded in his zydeco style in 1969, slowing the tempo down just enough for dance partners to get in close with each other. This version is a sultry duet between Williams and McClain, sticking closely to Chenier’s original feel—which was adapted from Eddie Miller and His Oklahomans’ 1950 version, “Release Me (And Let Me Love Again).”
In order to keep this track leaning more into Chenier territory and less like the country original, “Release Me” single producer C.C. Adcock kept things as Louisiana as it gets. “We started by using a crack Lafayette all-star band and a slinky Swamp Pop ‘triplet-feel’ sound that placed it undoubtedly sounding like it was coming from deep inside a vintage South Louisiana dancehall,” says Adcock. “The dovetailing of Keith Frank's Clifton inspired accordion, Steve Riley's bluesy fiddle and Dickie Landry's fragile but soulful saxophone solo set the bayou scene. I swear I could see Lu and Tommy couple-skating hand in hand at an Opelousas, LA roller rink, circa 1966... Maybe Clifton's even there in the corner, working the snack bar!” The resulting recording sets an unmistakable tone for the rest of A Tribute to the King of Zydeco: This is a real-deal tribute for a real-deal legend.
Fans can stream or purchase “Release Me” today at this link 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.
On Friday, May 2, a very special Clifton Chenier Centennial show will be held at the Fais Do-Do stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Featuring the “Dockside Allstars,” the house band from A Tribute to the King—including Roddie Romero, Eric Adcock, Derek Huston, Lee Allen Zeno, Jermaine Prejean, and Sherelle Chenier Mouton—as well as special guests C.J. Chenier, Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball, and Curley Taylor, the 5:50 pm set may also include a surprise guest performance or two.
Tribute to the King 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.
