What a memorable time this was for the group. They were reeling with their first ever Grammy nomination announced in Dec. 2007. Then as if it could not get any better, they were invited to open the 50th Grammy awards pre-telecast with a 10 minute performance for 1000 or more Grammy nominees in 100 categories. About an hour into the 3 hour awards show, they won the Gold for their state of Louisiana! It was the perfect ending to a 7 year effort to establish a new Grammy category for Zydeco and Cajun music. We thank the voting members, trustees and staff of the Recording Academy, our Memphis Chapter and the state of Louisiana for their ongoing support. His acceptance speech was very gracious and it was a very happy day for him and his band mates, his agents, manager and labels who had all worked so hard alongside him for so many years always believing in him and his artistic vision.
“Ladies and Gentleman we are living in God’s world and all things that happen in God’s world is God’s will. Right now I want to thank God for willing this my way” “I want to thank my wife Cynthia Simien. Without her hard work these past 6 1/2 years this category wouldn’t be here. I love you.” “I also want to thank the Executive Director of the Memphis Chapter, Jon Hornyak, all the Trustees and especially Diane Theriot. And of course I want to thank my band. Without them I wouldn’t be here.” “I’d like to dedicate this award and share it with all the Louisiana source musicians who entered their CD’s and were nominated this year because they deserve it as much as we do. This is ours. I’m just the one taking it home.” “One more thing before I go, I’d like to thank MusiCares for all their hard work and support during the Katrina disaster and all the other times Louisiana musicians were in need. Thank you. Peace.” — Terrance Simien, Grammy Awards acceptance speech, Feb. 10, 2008
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