Lil' Nate Shares Memories at Acadiana Roots
Zydeco Musician Credits Family For Success
November 13, 2015
by Herman Fuselier
The Advertiser
In more than two decades as a musician, Lil Nate was almost electrocuted during a stage performance. He remembers the overwhelming echo at midfield when singing and playing with the Grambling State band in front of 50,000 at the Bayou Classic in the Superdome.
He encourages young people with "there are no bad students" when he's instructing them in the Traditional Music Program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Those were some of the stories and memories that zydeco star Lil Nate shared with his audience Thursday night at Acadiana Roots in the Community Room of the Daily Advertiser. Acadiana Roots is the monthly series featuring local artists sharing music and conversation in an intimate setting.
Leader of the Zydeco Big Timers band, Lil Nate reigns as one of the top attractions on the zydeco and trail ride circuit, which stretches between New Orleans and Houston. He credited his success to his family, especially his father, Nathan Williams, who heads the veteran zydeco band Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas.
"Growing up, I wanted to be just like my daddy," said Lil Nate, aka Nathan Williams Jr., a graduate of Northside High and UL, "If he was a welder, I would have wanted to be a welder, too.
"But he did music, and I was always around music. I had an accordion in my hands before I could walk.
"He was such a positive influence in my life. I give him all the credit."
Last month, Nate released "Face 2 Face: Nate the Great," his ninth CD in 14 years. In February, he will release a live DVD of his performance last year at Festival International de Louisiane.
The Acadiana Roots series continues Dec. 10 with swamp pop and R&B singer Gregg Martinez.
Zydeco Musician Credits Family For Success
November 13, 2015
by Herman Fuselier
The Advertiser
 |
| Nathan Williams, Jr. of Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers speaks to reporter Herman Fuselier during a performance for the Acadiana Roots series at the Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, La., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015. (Photo Credit: Paul Kieu) |
He encourages young people with "there are no bad students" when he's instructing them in the Traditional Music Program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Those were some of the stories and memories that zydeco star Lil Nate shared with his audience Thursday night at Acadiana Roots in the Community Room of the Daily Advertiser. Acadiana Roots is the monthly series featuring local artists sharing music and conversation in an intimate setting.
 |
| Nathan Williams Jr., Zydeco Musician and band leader of Lil' Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers gives a short demonstration on his accordion at the Acadiana Roots Series. (Photo Credit: Paul Kieu) |
"Growing up, I wanted to be just like my daddy," said Lil Nate, aka Nathan Williams Jr., a graduate of Northside High and UL, "If he was a welder, I would have wanted to be a welder, too.
"But he did music, and I was always around music. I had an accordion in my hands before I could walk.
"He was such a positive influence in my life. I give him all the credit."
Last month, Nate released "Face 2 Face: Nate the Great," his ninth CD in 14 years. In February, he will release a live DVD of his performance last year at Festival International de Louisiane.
The Acadiana Roots series continues Dec. 10 with swamp pop and R&B singer Gregg Martinez.
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