Tonight, Levitt AMP Denison fans will be treated to the Cajun fusion stylings of GRAMMY-winning singer and accordionist Wayne Toups. Awarded the Best Regional Roots Music Album GRAMMY in 2013 as a member of The Band Courtbouillon, Toups is well known as an artist who incorporates a mix of genres—particularly country, R&B and rock—into his unique sound, which he dubs “ZydeCajun.” Released this past April, his latest, self-titled album is heavy with R&B and country influences, audible in the album’s first single, “A Good One.”

Looking at the roster of artists Toups has collaborated with over the years, it’s evident that the Crowley, La.-raised musician is no stranger to genres outside of the traditional Cajun music he grew up playing. Toups has performed as an opening act for music legends Carole King and Ray Charles, and he has also contributed as an accordionist in numerous hit country music albums like Mark Chesnutt’s What a Way to Live (1994) and Clay Walker’s Rumor Has It (1997). Listen for his accordion in the songs below!

“It Sure Is Monday” – Mark Chesnutt (1993)
This catchy song was the first of three singles off of Mark Chesnutt’s platinum album Almost Goodbye (1993) to top the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Toups was also featured in Chesnutt’s 1995 hit, “Gonna Get a Life.” 

“Little Bitty” – Alan Jackson (1996)
Written by country songwriter Tom T. Hall, this single about the simple things in life topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and peaked at the 54th spot in the Hot 100 chart.

“Live, Laugh, Love” – Clay Walker (1999)
This single off of Clay Walker’s 1999 album of the same name reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Walker called “Live, Laugh, Love” his personal theme song in a 2008 interview with Flint Journal.

Ready to hear more from Wayne Toups? If you’re in the Denison area, don’t miss his free Levitt AMP Denison concert tonight at 7:30PM in Heritage Park!