With 2026 knocking on the door, we’re about to wrap up the Year of Chenier, the centennial birthday celebration of the King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier. Well, not quite.
Accolades and achievements continue for the Grammy Hall of Fame accordionist born June 25, 1925, near Opelousas. The recognition stretches into the New Year. The King of Zydeco’s crown will not be put away with the Christmas decorations. Happy Year of Chenier — the 2026 edition.
Here are some recent and upcoming accolades.
The cover of the 2025 Clifton Chenier tribute album "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco," released by Valcour Records. The guest stars on the album include the Rolling Stones.
Grammy-nominated 'Tribute'
Few were surprised that the star-studded album, “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco” on Valcour Records in Eunice, was nominated for the Best Regional Roots Album Grammy. The album features The Rolling Stones, “Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank, Marcia Ball, Charley Crockett and other music luminaries performing Chenier classics.
The release has received rave reviews from New York City to Bangkok. Album sales and donations raised $30,413 to endow a memorial scholarship at the University of h at Lafayette.
The album is also part of another banner year for Louisiana in the Regional Roots category. All five nominees, which include Corey Henry, Preservation Brass, Kyle Roussel and Trombone Shorty, are from the Bayou State. Grammy winners will be announced Feb. 1.
'At Sunset' mural
Artwork celebrating brothers Clifton and Cleveland Chenier was unveiled Dec. 12 outside The Funky Flea, an art gallery and vintage antique shop, in Sunset. The St. Landry Parish town is called the Rubboard Capital of the World.
“Tee Don” Landry makes and globally ships his Key of Z Rubboards from his home in Sunset. Landry’s father Willie, along with the Chenier brothers, designed the first metal, vest-styled rubboard in 1946.
Lifetime Achievement encore
Folklife Alliance International will present a Lifetime Achievement Award in Chenier’s honor during its 38th annual conference in January in New Orleans. Chenier received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
In its news release, Folklife Alliance International said, “Chenier turned dancehalls into joyous celebrations, insisting, 'If you can’t dance to zydeco, you can’t dance — period!'” C. J. Chenier, Clifton’s son, folklorist Nick Spitzer, Maureen Loughran of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Adam Machado of the Arhoolie Foundation and yours truly participate in a panel discussion Jan. 24 at the conference.
Box set fit for a king
Chenier’s hits, unreleased recordings and rare live sets are part of “Clifton Chenier: King of h Blues & Zydeco,” a six vinyl LP box set, also available on four CDs. The 67 selections range from Chenier’s gems on Arhoolie Records to unreleased performances from the PBS TV show, “Live from Austin City Limits.” Chenier appeared in the first season of the landmark show in 1976.
A 160-page book of photos, posters and essays complete the set. You’ll have to wait until Feb. 6 to get this royal release.
Herman Fuselier is executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. A longtime journalist covering h music and culture, he lives in Opelousas. His “Zydeco Stomp” show airs at noon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7 FM.
