Long time and legendary Cajun music artist Lee Benoit is celebrating his 55th birthday today.  Lee has been playing music since he was 5 years old which means he has been playing music for 50 year now.

In 1993, Lee was signed to the Master-Trak label and in 1994 recorded his first CD "Avec Amis". The album was nominated for "Best First Album" and "Valerie" was nominated for "Song of the Year" by the Cajun French Music Association. Floyd's Record Shop in Louisiana ("Officially Louisiana's Oldest Record Store"), described Benoit as 'the cream of the crop' of the new generation of musicians coming out of South Louisiana.

 

He also co-produced and played guitar on Hunter Hayes "Through My Eyes" CD in 1999 and co-produced Hunter's second CD, "Make A Wish", in 2001.

 

In 1998, he released his second album, "Live at Vermilionville" which was nominated in five categories by the Cajun French Music Association: "Male Vocalist Of The Year", "Accordionist Of The Year", "Album Of The Year", "Band Of The Year" and "Song Of The Year". He won the latter award, for "The Visit", co-written by Richard D. Meaux and Freddie Pate, at the ceremony on August 13, 1999.

 

In September 2000, Lee released his third CD, "Dis 'n' Dat".

In 2001, he was awarded "Accordionist Of The Year" and in 2002 earned the "Presidents Award" from the Cajun French Music Association.

 

Lee produced, recorded, mixed and mastered his fourth CD, "Ma Petite Femme" at his home and it was released in 2005. This album cemented his reputation, with Lee winning "Male Vocalist Of The Year", "Accordionist Of The Year" and "Song Of The Year" (with the title song "Ma Petite Femme") from the Cajun French Music Association. Lee also received nominations for "Best Recording Of The Year" and "Peoples Choice 2006".

 

On August 19, 2011, Lee was the recipient of the Heritage Award at the Le Cajun Awards Show by the Cajun French Music Association for outstanding contributions and dedication to the preservation of the Cajun culture.

Source:Lee Benoit.com

Happy Birthday Lee from your friends at Cajun Radio!

 

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