Grammy award winning Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience in "The Lucky One" film April 20, 2012

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- (Lafayette, Louisiana)                                    

"The Lucky One" Oscar nominated director Scott Hicks really loves music, but who doesn't  right? True, but not every brilliant film director makes a conscious choice to integrate it into their profession the way Scott has in his filmmaking. One can see how deeply music has impacted Hicks professionally by his previous work with Philip Glass, INXS and the Oscar winning film "Shine" starring Jeffrey Rush. It might also stand to reason that someone like Scott would be open minded enough to embrace zydeco and place it in his film.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Hicks

Well, he is and he did! We're also told that, along with his music supervisor, he took a primary and proactive role selecting much of the music for the film. The choice of an exuberant Afro- Creole-zydeco- roots- world music track like "Dance Everyday" was indeed a bold one and in sharp contrast to the other music used in the film. However he wasn't done yet, because he also selected Terrance & company to perform the song on screen in the film. They nailed the scene in two takes and voila, zydeco music crosses over again into popular culture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqxgz6Zh8b0



Simien's version of the rollicking, rootsy zydeco standard "Uncle Bud" is also used in this intriguing film based on a Nicolas Sparks novel. It's set to be another blockbuster for Hicks and Sparks, and we cannot wait to see it in the theatre next week with all our friends and family. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Two1IvWjibM  

BTW, Scott, if you happen to read this Terrance would like for you to know how grateful he is for this rare and wonderful opportunity, and how honored he was to work with you. Simien says " All of Louisiana and especially my own multiculti zydeco music community benefits from having a spotlight shine on our unique American roots music using a mainstream media film like this as the vehicle."

On April 17, 2012 Watertower Records also releases the original movie soundtrack with Simien's "Dance Everyday" along with diverse music from the amazing Mayfield, Brandi Carlile Josh Radin and other great artists. http://www.watertower-music.com/releases_spotlight.php?se...

Simien's previous recent film project was Disney's "The Princess & The Frog", set in New Orleans it featured their first black princess. The film was centered on the music and food of New Orleans and Louisiana. To cap it off the word "zydeco" was even spoken in the film by Ray the Firefly character.

After 30 years of touring and recording Simien and his band mates have definitely got credentials: 7000 concerts in more than 40 countries, multiple awards, grants, film and recording credits, support with Dave Matthews Band, Los Lobos, Robert Palmer, and an educational performing arts, Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco program reaching 500,000 k-12 students worldwide.  

After returning from Ukraine and Georgia on a US Embassy sponsored tour, Terrance & The Zydeco Experience will perform on May 6, 2012 at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for their 27th consecutive appearance at this legendary event.