‘First family of zydeco’ will perform this weekend in downtown Lafayette

Zydeco musicians love titles and crowns. Grammy Hall of Famer Clifton Chenier, long dubbed the King of Zydeco, wore a crown on stages across the globe.

Rockin’ Dopsie donned a crown, cape and matching red accordion on the cover of his 1986 album, “Crowned Prince of Zydeco.” Today, Keith Frank reigns as the “Zydeco Boss,” along with the “Zydeco Rebel” J. Paul Jr. and the “Zydeco Sweetheart” Rosie Ledet.

On my radio show, I’ve informally crowned the Williams family as the “Role Models of Zydeco.” Many could share that lofty title. But the Williamses have achieved success in music, business, education, art and community service that are hard to match.

Nathan Williams has childhood memories of standing on a washing machine, straining to peep inside the Casino Club in St. Martinville. He’d catch glimpses of Clifton Chenier on stage before the owner came swinging her purse to chase him away.

Later in life, while recovering from a thyroid illness, Nathan dreamed of entertaining thousands, like his idol. He started a band named after a Chenier song, “Zydeco Cha Cha.”

Since 1988, Nathan and the Zydeco Chas Chas have performed from Japan and Turkey to the Grand Ole Opry. The band’s 2022 album, “Lucky Man,” earned a Grammy nomination.

Nathan Williams Jr. was 5 years old when he started in his dad’s band as a rubboard player. By his freshman year at Lafayette’s Northside High School, “Lil Nathan” released his first CD, “Zydeco Ballin’.”

Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers now reign as one of the genre’s top attractions, with gigs that include Universal Studios in Orlando and a halftime show before 50,000 at the Bayou Classic in the Superdome.

While rising to stardom, Nate, aka “The Baby Boy of Zydeco,” earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies and master’s in jazz performance from UL Lafayette. He served as an instructor in the school’s traditional music program.

Nate runs the family’s record label, Cha Cha Records, with his brother and band mate, Naylon.

Dennis Paul Williams has played guitar and toured with his nephews and brother. But as a visual artist, Dennis Paul has paintings in museums across the globe. His works are featured in “Soul Exchange: The Paintings of Dennis Paul Williams,” a 2013 book published on UL Press. He is a former member of the St. Martinville City Council.

The nephews and brothers remain under the watchful eye of the oldest brother, Sid Williams. For more than 40 years, he operated Sid’s One Stop convenience store and the renowned El Sid’s Zydeco and Blues Club in Lafayette. The club held an annual Thanksgiving Zydeco Food Drive that fed thousands of local families.

For the first time in 15 years, the Williams family is scheduled to perform Sunday at the 37th annual Zydeco Extravaganza at Parc International in downtown Lafayette. Keith Frank, Rusty Metoyer, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr., Step Rideau, David Sylvester and Alphonse Ardoin will also play.

Enjoy your flowers, Williams family. Your talent and tireless work ethic continue to inspire.

Herman Fuselier is executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. A longtime journalist covering Louisiana music and culture, he lives in Opelousas. His “Zydeco Stomp” show airs at noon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7 FM.