Geno Delafose

Friday, June 14 Currently in the world of zydeco music, there's a definite changing of the guard taking place. Clifton Chenier, the famed "King of Zydeco," has been dead for nearly 10 years now. In more recent years, Rockin' Dopsie and John Delafose have also passed on, and other, older stars have become artistically irrelevant (Boozoo Chavis being the exception).

But zydeco is still very vibrant in Southwest Louisiana, and youngsters like Chris Ardoin and Keith Frank are chomping at the bit. One youngster in particular would appear to have not only enthusiasm going for him, but genetics as well: Geno Delafose, John Delafose's son.

There must be tremendous pressure in trying to follow the legend of one's father. "No, not at all," says Delafose, with no trace of cockiness. "I can handle it on my own. I took good notes."

He had plenty of time to do so. Despite being a mere 25 years old, he is a 17-year veteran of the crawfish circuit, first playing drums for John's Eunice Playboys, and then leading the band as French Rockin' Boogie. A trait Geno inherited from John is a love for undiluted zydeco. Just as John was somewhat resistant to the strains of R&B that crept into "French music," as Louisianans call it, Geno isn't jumping on the current hip-hop trend like Frank or Beau Jocque.

"I'm not against hip-hop, but it just doesn't fit my style. I just want to preserve the French culture. I'm not a soul or a blues man. I feel more at home doing Cajun and Creole styles -- my grandmother couldn't speak English; my whole family spoke French."

But Geno isn't exactly phobic about new styles; his second Rounder album, That's What I'm Talkin' About, covers ancient stuff from Amédé Ardoin and Iry LeJeune, but closes with Los Lobos' "Let's Say Goodnight."

"I listen to a lot of country; George Strait and Randy Travis are two of my favorite performers... I might even play country later on."-- Lee Nichols