Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Zydeco loses a giant (Kermon Richard)
From The Opelousas Daily World (LA)
St. Landry Parish suffered a big loss in the music business Sunday with the death of zydeco impresario Kermon Richard of Lawtell.
Richard, 63, who owned and operated Richard's Club, located on U.S. Route 190 in Lawtell, died of a heart attack in his sleep just before midnight Sunday. His club has been a part of St. Landry Parish entertainment for 57 years.
Established in 1947 by Richard's father Eddie, the club began as a family amusement and developed into one of the most famous zydeco clubs in the world. Film and documentary makers have made the pilgrimage to the little wood frame dance hall on the edge of the highway.
Richard said his family has not even thought about what will happen to the club. Lovers of zydeco music are worried that a piece of local history may vanish with the death of one of zydeco's most intelligent and zealous promoters.
"This is a big loss to the culture of zydeco," said Cheryl Castille, assistant director of Louisiana Folk Roots, an organization dedicated to nurturing local music and culture. "His club is a social center that helps preserve zydeco music for locals and travelers alike. It is just such a wonderful thing to do on Saturday night. Talk about preserving the culture, his club stayed to how it always has been and he has such great history there."
Paul Scott of Opelousas, who has been involved in zydeco and Creole music for years, said Richard had an excellent reputation among musicians and his club was one of a handful of establishments that stand as the backbone of zydeco music.
"His death leaves a chasm in zydeco," Scott said. "There just so much history, so many great memories and his contributions are just so many. He was an innovator in promoting zydeco music, he went through hard times and made it. He gave a lot of musicians their first break and he always treated them fairly. When we promoted the zydeco festival, we were always welcome in his club. Whenever someone in the community needed him, he let them throw a benefit. They would say, 'my baby's hurt' or 'my momma's sick' and he would help with a fund-raising dance. Richard's Club is one of those clubs that hits a zone. Many a long leaf pine floor board has been worn thin in Richard's Club."
Read the article
Opelousas Daily World
St. Landry Parish suffered a big loss in the music business Sunday with the death of zydeco impresario Kermon Richard of Lawtell.
Richard, 63, who owned and operated Richard's Club, located on U.S. Route 190 in Lawtell, died of a heart attack in his sleep just before midnight Sunday. His club has been a part of St. Landry Parish entertainment for 57 years.
Established in 1947 by Richard's father Eddie, the club began as a family amusement and developed into one of the most famous zydeco clubs in the world. Film and documentary makers have made the pilgrimage to the little wood frame dance hall on the edge of the highway.
Richard said his family has not even thought about what will happen to the club. Lovers of zydeco music are worried that a piece of local history may vanish with the death of one of zydeco's most intelligent and zealous promoters.
"This is a big loss to the culture of zydeco," said Cheryl Castille, assistant director of Louisiana Folk Roots, an organization dedicated to nurturing local music and culture. "His club is a social center that helps preserve zydeco music for locals and travelers alike. It is just such a wonderful thing to do on Saturday night. Talk about preserving the culture, his club stayed to how it always has been and he has such great history there."
Paul Scott of Opelousas, who has been involved in zydeco and Creole music for years, said Richard had an excellent reputation among musicians and his club was one of a handful of establishments that stand as the backbone of zydeco music.
"His death leaves a chasm in zydeco," Scott said. "There just so much history, so many great memories and his contributions are just so many. He was an innovator in promoting zydeco music, he went through hard times and made it. He gave a lot of musicians their first break and he always treated them fairly. When we promoted the zydeco festival, we were always welcome in his club. Whenever someone in the community needed him, he let them throw a benefit. They would say, 'my baby's hurt' or 'my momma's sick' and he would help with a fund-raising dance. Richard's Club is one of those clubs that hits a zone. Many a long leaf pine floor board has been worn thin in Richard's Club."
Read the article
Opelousas Daily World
# posted by Dave Sichak @ 8:44 PM 
