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Friday, May 26, 2017

Extravaganza Pays Respect to Buckwheat Zydeco

Extravaganza Pays Respect to Buckwheat Zydeco

Sir Reg salutes his father’s world-renowned name at the 31st Annual Zydeco Extravaganza

May 26, 2017

by Herman Fuselier
The Advertiser

Sir Reginald Dural leads a Tribute to Buckwheat Zydeco, held in April at Festival International de Louisiane. Photo Credit: David Simpson

Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr., the late leader of the band Buckwheat Zydeco, gave his son a name of distinction — Sir Reginald Master Durald. Sir Reg wore the name proudly as the rubboard player in his father’s Grammy- and Emmy-winning band.

But in his earlier life, Sir Reg, and his name, drew a different kind of attention.

“I used to get in trouble in school,” said Sir Reg, 46. “I used to write my name on papers, Sir Reginald M. Dural. Every time I would get my paper back, Sir was circled in red. It got so bad they sent me to the office.

“The teacher had to come of the office and apologize to me, because it’s my name. My dad and mother told me that’s the reason why. It’s about respect. I knew exactly why they gave me that name.”

Sir Reg salutes his father’s world-renowned name at the 31st Annual Zydeco Extravaganza, which begins at noon Sunday at Blackham Coliseum. He’ll perform with the Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band, which is mainly band members of Buckwheat Zydeco.

Keith Frank, Chris Ardoin, Cupid, Geno Delafose, Leon Chavis, Jeremy Fruge, Rusty Metoyer and Koray Broussard will also perform.

Last year’s Extravaganza was one of the last gigs for “Buckwheat,” who died Sept. 24 following a long battle with lung and throat cancer. His death capped a career as an international superstar who shared the stage and studio with Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, B. B. King, U2, Eric Clapton, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Pres. Bill Clinton and many others. The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and numerous appearances on the “Late Show with David Letterman” were among his high-profile gigs.

Extravaganza organizer Dustin Cravins said despite the worldwide acclaim, “Buckwheat” stayed close to his roots.

“He did things, for him, that was no big deal,” said Cravins. “The following day, he could be at his house in Carencro, playing with some sheep.

“But that is the epitome of Creole to me. Just that humility, but very prideful and driven to do the best that you can do. But at the end of the day, it’s not what defines you.”

Cravins said, as part of an ongoing tribute, each band has been asked to play their favorite Buckwheat Zydeco song.

“You’ll get a little creativity and opportunity to see the influence he’s had on all forms of zydeco.  That’ll be really exciting to see these young guys and their take on what he’s done through the years.

“I just thought it was fitting, because it displays and exhibits the passing on. Although he’s gone, the music lives forever and his influence on those musicians lives forever.”

Herman Fuselier is music and entertainment writer for the Times of Acadiana and Daily Advertiser. Contact him at hfuselier@theadvertiser.com.


Want to go?

What: 31st Annual Zydeco Extravaganza

When: Noon to 11:45 p.m., Sunday

Where: Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette

Tickets: $20 in advance

Information: zydecoextra.com


#ZydecoOnline  #ZOL #ZydecoNation  #BuckWheatZydeco
Extravaganza Pays Respect to Buckwheat Zydeco
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