Lil Nate: I've Taken Zydeco Places It Hadn't Been
Lil Nate Does it Big Time in the Zydeco Nation
April 30, 2015
by Herman Fuselier
The Advertiser
Life is good for Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers.
A live DVD is in the works from the band's recent return to Festival International de Louisiane.
The Big Timers opened for R&B singer Johnny Gill at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton. The band followed their New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival show with a Rock 'n' Bowl set with Chris Ardoin and the original members of Beau Jocque's Zydeco Hi-Rollers.
Those sweet gigs still pale in comparison to the Big Timers' 2013 Superdome event – a halftime show with the Grambling State University Marching Band at the annual Bayou Classic.
"It's been great," said Lil Nate, aka Nathan Williams Jr. of Lafayette. "I've had a chance to meet a lot of people, work with a lot of people. I've had a chance to take zydeco in a few places it hadn't been. I've also had a chance to create a catalog of music where people identify me as the artist. That's pretty cool. It's really starting to develop more and more into Lil Nathan.
"In the previous years, I've been influenced by a lot of artists. It's starting to be where people are knowing me for a certain sound."
Lil Nate adds to his memories and resume when he returns to Downtown Alive! at 6 p.m. Friday at Parc Sans Souci. Concessions, which help keep DTA! free, begin at 5:30 p.m.
Lil Nate continues to build a legacy that started 13 years ago. Following in the footsteps of his father, leader of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, he released his first CD as a 14-year-old freshman at Northside High School.
Seven CDs later, Lil Nate reigns as one of the top attractions on the zydeco circuit. He holds a degree is jazz studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Along the way, he's played gigs at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. and the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
"It's getting better and better," said Lil Nate. "Once you start getting known, it takes you to different places. I'm working on a cruise for next year.
"But I don't take for granted what has happened. I'm excited about where I've been. Even if I couldn't play zydeco anymore, I'm still excited about where I've been with the music."
Lil Nate continues to serve as an instructor in UL's traditional music program, part of the Dr. Tommy Comeaux Endowed Chair in Traditional Music. He trains students in the Zydeco Ensemble, which finishes each semester with a dance showcasing their skills.
The university work helps him keep alive his goal of becoming a music and vocals teacher.
"I love teaching. It keeps me determined to finish my quest on being a teacher. It keeps me in that classroom setting. I get a chance to still be a part of my alma mater and teach students about what I do. They portray it pretty well.
"Our concert last year went pretty well. I'm even more excited about the guys I have this semester."
Herman Fuselier is music and entertainment writer for the Times of Acadiana and Daily Advertiser. Contact him at hfuselier@theadvertiser.com.
Want to go?
Downtown Alive! with Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers
6 p.m. Friday, Parc Sans Souci
Downtown Lafayette
Admission: Free
Information: downtownlafayette.org
Lil Nate Does it Big Time in the Zydeco Nation
April 30, 2015
by Herman Fuselier
The Advertiser
 |
Lil' Nathan and the Zydeco Big Tymers perform on the Scene Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage during Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, LA, Wednesday, April 22,2015.
(Photo: Paul Kieu, The Advertiser)
|
Life is good for Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers.
A live DVD is in the works from the band's recent return to Festival International de Louisiane.
The Big Timers opened for R&B singer Johnny Gill at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton. The band followed their New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival show with a Rock 'n' Bowl set with Chris Ardoin and the original members of Beau Jocque's Zydeco Hi-Rollers.
 |
Lil' Nathan and the Zydeco Big Tymers perform on the Scene Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage during Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, LA, Wednesday, April 22,2015. (Photo: Paul Kieu, The Advertiser)
|
Those sweet gigs still pale in comparison to the Big Timers' 2013 Superdome event – a halftime show with the Grambling State University Marching Band at the annual Bayou Classic.
"It's been great," said Lil Nate, aka Nathan Williams Jr. of Lafayette. "I've had a chance to meet a lot of people, work with a lot of people. I've had a chance to take zydeco in a few places it hadn't been. I've also had a chance to create a catalog of music where people identify me as the artist. That's pretty cool. It's really starting to develop more and more into Lil Nathan.
"In the previous years, I've been influenced by a lot of artists. It's starting to be where people are knowing me for a certain sound."
Lil Nate adds to his memories and resume when he returns to Downtown Alive! at 6 p.m. Friday at Parc Sans Souci. Concessions, which help keep DTA! free, begin at 5:30 p.m.
Lil Nate continues to build a legacy that started 13 years ago. Following in the footsteps of his father, leader of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, he released his first CD as a 14-year-old freshman at Northside High School.
Seven CDs later, Lil Nate reigns as one of the top attractions on the zydeco circuit. He holds a degree is jazz studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Along the way, he's played gigs at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. and the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.
"It's getting better and better," said Lil Nate. "Once you start getting known, it takes you to different places. I'm working on a cruise for next year.
"But I don't take for granted what has happened. I'm excited about where I've been. Even if I couldn't play zydeco anymore, I'm still excited about where I've been with the music."
 |
| Spectators dance along to music from Lil' Nathan and the Zydeco Big Tymers on the Scene Lafayette General Fais Do Do stage during Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, LA, Wednesday, April 22,2015. (Photo: Paul Kieu, The Advertiser) |
The university work helps him keep alive his goal of becoming a music and vocals teacher.
"I love teaching. It keeps me determined to finish my quest on being a teacher. It keeps me in that classroom setting. I get a chance to still be a part of my alma mater and teach students about what I do. They portray it pretty well.
"Our concert last year went pretty well. I'm even more excited about the guys I have this semester."
Herman Fuselier is music and entertainment writer for the Times of Acadiana and Daily Advertiser. Contact him at hfuselier@theadvertiser.com.
Want to go?
Downtown Alive! with Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers
6 p.m. Friday, Parc Sans Souci
Downtown Lafayette
Admission: Free
Information: downtownlafayette.org
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