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Wayne Toups | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Toups in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1958-10-02)October 2, 1958 (age 66) |
| Origin | Crowley, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Cajun,zydeco,folk,Americana |
| Occupation(s) | Musician,accordionist, singer |
| Instrument | Accordion |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Mercury Records[1] Swallow, BTM, Shanachie, Sonet, Valcour Records |
| Website | http://waynetoupsmusic.com |
Wayne Toups (born October 2, 1958, inCrowley, Louisiana) is one of the most commercially successful AmericanCajun singers.[2] He is also a songwriter. Wayne Toups has been granted numerous awards and honors throughout his career including 2010 Festivals Acadiens et Créoles dedicated in his name, Offbeat Magazine Album of the Year recipient. Member of The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Gulf Coast Hall of Fame, and Cajun French Music Hall of Fame, 55th Annual Grammy Award winner.[3]
Wayne Toups was born into a family of rice farmers inCrowley, Louisiana. He first picked up an accordion when he was 13 and quickly began winning localaccordion contests. He has combinedCajun music,zydeco,R&B, and rock into a genre he callsZydecajun. He sings in both English and French.[4]
Toups released his first album,Wayne Toups and the Crowley Aces in Europe in the late 1970s.[5] He began gaining popularity in the United States around 1984 when he began performing at local festivals such as the Festivals Acadiens inLafayette, Louisiana. In 1986 he released his first album,Zydecajun. The Cajun French Music Association's awarded him their "Song of the Year" Award in 1991 for his song "Late in Life." Three of his songs, including wedding favorite "Take My Hand", were featured in the movieDirty Rice,[4] and some of his work is also featured on the soundtracks for the movieSteel Magnolias and the television show "Broken Badges".[6] He has recorded for the major record labels Mercury/Polygram[2] and Mercury. His 1995 release,Back to the Bayou became the fastest-selling record ever for the independent Louisiana label Swallow Records.[5]Toups has been featured playing the accordion on singles for many country music stars. He appears on theMark Chesnutt No. 1 hit, "It Sure Is Monday"; onClay Walker's "Live Laugh Love"; and onAlan Jackson's "Little Bitty". He played withSammy Kershaw,George Jones,Mark Wills,Garth Brooks, andTy England.[7]
Toups is often known for wearing bright outfits during his performances.[4] He has toured in over twenty-six countries,[2] including in South America, Canada, Europe and the Far East.[5] He has appeared onMTV and on theSuper Bowl XXIV telecast.[7][8]
| Year | Single | US | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Cajun Paradise" | Sonet | |
| 1986 | Zydecajun | Mercury | |
| 1988 | Johnnie Can't Dance | ||
| 1989 | Blast from the Bayou | 183 | |
| 1991 | Fish Out of Water | ||
| 1992 | Down Home Live! | MTE | |
| 1995 | Back to the Bayou | Swallow | |
| 1997 | Toups | New Blues | |
| 1998 | More Than Just a Little | BTM | |
| 1999 | The Best of Wayne Toups | New Blues | |
| 2000 | Little Wooden Box | Shanachie | |
| 2004 | Whoever Said It Was Easy | ||
| 2005 | Reflections of the Past | D&R | |
| 2008 | The Essential Wayne Toups | New Blues | |
| 2009 | Wayne Toups Live 2009 | Swallow | |
| 2012 | The Band Courtbouillon | Valcour | |
| 2013 | 2013 Live From Jazz Fest | MunchMusic | |
| 2016 | Wayne Toups | Jambalaya Music |
| Year | Single | US Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "Free Me" | 66 | More Than Just a Little |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
