seems to me like i've been making a positive impact in the zydeco industry and i would love to see the future artist do the same so i have a few tips that i used when i first started just a short few ago.

1.) Respect the poineers of zydeco. Play there music even if its one song a nite. Pay repect to them because they paved the way for our zydeco community today.

2.)Always have a vision as to where you want to be in the industry.(I.E. Local, National, International). Remember that the road is different from the local scene.

3) Never, ever, ever ,ever, ever borrow equiptment from another artist in yourcategory. Trust me it's jus a bragging right on part of the borrowee most of the time. Rent your equitment, buy your equitment, or do without until you can afford your own equiptment and please dont steal euiptment. It's really not that serious.

4.)P.R. with your fans, club owners, Trailriders, promoters, kids especially. Look jus be nice to people because they choose to spend there nite, weekend, month,etc... with you as there entertainment. Im sure they want to feel appreciated and get there moneys worth.

5.) If you see an artist in your dance recognize them in a positive way. They are supporting you, spying, learning, or whatever but they are somebody just like you are. If you decide to play there song play the whole song like it goes. I play other artist songs also. Nothing is wrong with that but ,dont clown them because just like you as young are in the crowd watching, they were too at one point in time.

6.)There will be two crucile points in your career where you will see support. Before and in the begining stages and when you get hot. In between you will try things, wonder why nobodys comin see you and yada yada, tring to play like the artist whos hot so people will come see, Crying after the shows when nobodys shows up and all. Well suck it up because its just a test and its not your turn yet. thats the time to work hard on your style and band that way when people show up your band is ready and you are ready.

7.) Last but not least love your zydeco community even when you feel like they dont love you back because no matter who is successful or who gets honored, it benefits all the zydeco bands because more and more people's eyes are open to what were doing. Dont let yourself and your music be about the vendettas and grudges you have in your life because if something happens to one of us in the zydeco community, we would feel guilty of not clearing things up. I am a victim of my last statement ,but thank god i caught myself to understand that people make mistakes and without forgiveness the world will shatter so though I will never forget what was done to me and what will most likely continue to be done to me, I FORGIVE because i know that if i cant help a musician I will never hurt them, but Im always going to perform at 115 % no questions asked.