Benefit concert for flood relief

Musician T.K. Hulin heard from his cousin that the Flood of 2016 was the worst flooding he had seen in the Cypress Island area, in St. Martin Parish, since 1941.
Hulin said, “It flooded a lot in the country in St. Martin Parish, in the low areas. I was born and raised in Cypress Island, and Cypress Island and Lake Martin Road were flooded. I never saw that in my life. It was terrible, horrible.”
“My cousin, who is older than me, said the last time they had seen water like that in Cypress Island was in 1941. I can agree with him — I’m 73, and I’ve never seen that kind of water there.”
Hulin, along with several other musicians, will perform at the “Band Together: Benefitting United Way of Acadiana” event Sunday, Sept. 18 at Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel in Charenton. The concert will start at 4 p.m. in the hotel’s pavillion. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or in advance through www.ticketmaster.com.
Proceeds from the event will benefit United Way of Acadiana to help with local flood relief efforts. The event is part of a multi-faceted fundraising effort. In addition to the concert, a $1 contribution from the sale of each meal served at Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel for the next 30 days and flood relief t-shirts sales will also benefit the cause.
Other artists performing at the event include N’Toon Soul, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas, with special guest Little Nate, Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cypress, Louisiana Express featuring GG Shinn, Steve Adams and Marc Broussard.
Hulin’s son Jamie, who performs with him, lives in Vermillion Parish, and the elder Hulin said his son’s home had flooding due to the storm.
“Erath and Abbeville were pretty bad,” he added.
Hulin said benefits like the concert are important, especially for those who did not have flood insurance.
“Some of these homes were completely destroyed,” he said. ‘FEMA is giving $30,000, and some homes were worth $150,000. People did not have flood insurance because they did not live in a flood zone. It’s devastating.”
“Every little bit (from benefits) helps.”
Hulin knows many of the other artists performing at the concert, and he said the event has a good line-up to help benefit the cause.
“I hope people come out,” Hulin said. “We really need this, we really do.
“I am doing everything I can on my part to help out, and the others playing are too.”
He added, “Tell the people of Evangeline Parish to come out and enjoy the music, and the event will be fantastic.”
Stacey McKay, director of marketing at Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel, weighed in on the event.
“Guests will experience non-stop entertainment and a few surprises,” she said. “With the help and generosity of the people of Acadiana, we are able to continue our fundraising efforts to give back to the community during this difficult time.”