Mailbag

Dear Editor:

Swamp Pop Reunion XVI was one of the best ever! On behalf of the Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum, we would like to express sincere thanks to all who helped to make this very special event another tremendous success.
We owe a debt of gratitude to so many people who worked tirelessly, but we would especially like to express our sincere thanks to Mayor Jennifer Vidrine and the Ville Platte City Council for their continuing promotion of Ville Platte as “The Swamp Pop Capital of the World”! Putting on this event would have been extremely difficult without the help provided by the dedicated workers of the City. Special thanks are especially extended to Don White, Director of Public Works; Michael Doucet, Civic Center superintendent, and his workers; and Terry Wilson, Superintendent of the M. L. King Center and his workers for their tireless efforts, and to all of the City workers who hauled tables and chairs and assisted in so many other ways. Thanks to Fire Chief Chris Soileau and Fireman Trojan Harrison for manning a firetruck during the event and to Police Chief Neal Lartigue for providing on site security. Thanks are also extended to the wonderful City Hall workers who sold tickets, fielded telephone calls, handled mail, and answered questions. All of your help was tremendously appreciated!
We are also grateful to the following for the important contributions they gave in making the Swamp Pop Reunion such a success:
- The “Cypress” Band with Willie Tee, who provided the very best in Swamp Pop music!
- The “Swamp Pop Legends” who gave their time and shared their talent with the hundreds of Swamp Pop fans who attended: Johnnie Allan, Lynn August, Donald “Tet Dur” Babin, V. J. Boulet, Arthur Broussard, Grace Broussard, Roy Chaffin, Junior Dugas, Kyle Dugas, Jivin’ Gene, T. K. Hulin, Christopher John aka “Frog”, Ken Marvel, Bobby “Booga” Page, Kenny Tibbs, and Ryan Vanicor.
- The several guest musicians who sat in with the band, simply because they love to play Swamp Pop music: Earl Taylor; Mike Vice; Sid Janise; and Gene Romero.
- The corporate sponsors who donated generously to make the event possible: Cabot; CLECO; Evangeline Bank; Evangeline Tourism; JD Bank; Mercy Regional Medical Center; and media partners, KVPI, The Ville Platte Gazette, and the Bonnes Nouvelles!
- John Deville, owner of Cajun Catfish Steakhouse and Buffet, and his staff for funding and providing the gumbo sold at the event as well for catering the hospitality room for the Swamp Pop performers and their guests.
- The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #632 and AVVA Associates who ran the bar, served gumbo, and sold drink and gumbo tickets. We truly couldn’t have done it without all of you!
- The many community-minded volunteers who manned the door, sold tee shirts, and took care of the many thankless tasks that needed to be done. Thank you!
- Many local individuals and businesses which made important contributions: The Acosta Foundation; Champagne’s Super Market; Teet’s Food Store; Evangeline Parish Media Center; Heritage Manor; Evangeline Chamber of Commerce; Mikey’s Donuts; and Floyd’s Record Shop.
- Door prize donors: Jack Miller’s Food Products; Camp Dog Seasoning; Kary’s Roux and Products; Papa Gator’s Cajun Seasoning; Slap Ya Mama; and KVPI Radio.
- The Catholic Daughters of America who provided delicious refreshments for the Swamp Pop Soirée for the performers and their guests and graciously served as hostesses for the event.
- Special thanks to the Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum staff Nancy Duplechain, Ray Duplechain; and LSU-A student intern Benjamin Vidrine for sharing their expert knowledge of Swamp Pop music with the many visitors in the Museum that day! You are appreciated!
- And, finally, thanks to the hundreds of people who travelled from all areas of Louisiana plus surrounding states to enjoy their favorite Swamp Pop music and our very special Ville Platte hospitality and food. We sincerely appreciate you!
Swamp Pop music was born right here on the prairies and bayous of Louisiana over 65 years ago, and judging by the large and enthusiastic crowd that attended the 16th Annual Swamp Pop Reunion, hopefully this special genre of music will continue to be played for many more years!
Thanks again to everyone who made this year’s event such a tremendous success!!! We look forward to Swamp Pop Reunion XVII in 2023!

Sincerely,

Sharon Fontenot, Curator
Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum