A swampy gathering

Louisiana Swamp Pop legends gathered Monday night to, in the words of Swamp Pop musician Jay Randall, “keep Swamp Pop alive.”
With the Ville Platte North Side Civic Center packed, a variety of Swamp Pop artists took to the stage to provide individuals with the opportunity to dance along to a genre of music that was birthed right here in Evangeline Parish.
This once a year event wasn’t just special for the audience though, this event allowed artists to catch up with former band mates, as well as musicians they have not seen in some time.
Grant Clement, a former guitarist for Swamp Pop musician Warren Storm, said, “It’s always great to be here to see Warren play. We use to be together all of the time because I played with him for years. He became like a brother to me.”
The bond that these musicians have created over the years has made them a family, and just like any other family would, the musicians cheered their brothers at the 11th Annual Swamp Pop Reunion.
As Jay Randall performed three songs on Mardi Gras Eve, Storm bragged, “I have been knowing Jay for years. Anytime he gets on stage, he always performs well.” As Randall sang his biggest hit Cherry Pie, Storm said, “He’s still got it.”
The line-up featured performances by: Van Broussard, of Lord I Need Somebody Bad fame; Warren Storm, of Seven Letters fame; Jay Randall, of Cherry Pie fame; Johnnie Allan, of Just Remember fame; Tommy G., of Only You and Me Tonight fame; Charles Mann, of Red Red Wine fame; Grace Broussard, of Stop and Think it Over fame; and more.
In between sets, musicians enjoyed southern hospitality served in the form of fried shrimp, fried alligator, and seafood gumbo that had been prepared by The Cajun Catfish restaurant.
While many of the performers of the night are no longer actively playing shows, the Swamp Pop Reunion will always be an event where these musicians can be reminded of the journey they once were on. Storm said, “I am one of the only Swamp Pop musicians out of the bunch here that still regularly plays, so for me to get to see these guys get back on stage is wonderful. That’s why I enjoy being here.”
This annual event has also become a way to preserve this unique genre of music that Randall said “now is kind of fading out.”
The performers of the night remember the beginning of Swamp Pop, and they will work to see this genre live on until they are gone.
“People only want to hear Zydeco and French music these days, but all of us here tonight, we are going to hang on to Swamp Pop until we croak,” said Randall before he yelled, “Long live Swamp Pop music.”