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W e d n e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 18, 2024
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Year of Louisiana Music offers great ideas for gift-giving With Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the rearview mirror, are you still searching for that perfect present for a special someone? Give the gift of Louisiana music. The time is right as the Year of Louisiana Music, as proHerman claimed by the Fuselier Louisiana Office of Tourism, is about to wrap up. But the music never ends in a state that gave the world Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Aaron Neville, Clifton Chenier, Buddy Guy, BeauSoleil, Lil Wayne, Master P, Tim McGraw, Britney Spears, Lainey Wilson and on and on and on. When someone gifts music genres born in the state — like zydeco, Cajun, swamp pop and jazz — they’re putting money in the pockets of a neighbor, friend and maybe even a family member. While the music can be streamed, the artists only receive fractions of a penny per stream. Some bands still produce CDs, which are perfect stocking stuffers that make Christmas much more merry. Lagniappe Records in Lafayette, Floyd’s Record Shop in Ville Platte and Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans are just a few stores that stock CDs, even vinyl. Google “record stores near me,” and you’ll be surprised at the results. If CDs don’t work, go to live shows. Pay the cover charge. If there’s a tip jar, put in a few bucks. Buy T-shirts or other band merchandise. Make 2025 a Happy New Year for artists who created the soundtrack of our lives. Here are a few zydeco and Cajun releases to consider. Some are live recordings that can stir a Christmas party better than Everclear in the punch bowl. Rusty Metoyer,“Comin’ in Hot, Live in Lake Charles,” Vols. 1 & 2: The music career for this 32-year-old accordion player with four businesses continues to soar. He still finds time to release new albums or singles four times a year. His live albums serve as a greatest-hits collection of originals. Plus, he still tips his hat to Boozoo Chavis, Zydeco Force, Keith Frank and other pioneers. 4Horses,“Live at La Poussiere,” Vols. 1 & 2: Opened in 1955, La Poussiere (French for the dust) in Breaux Bridge stands as the last of the pioneering Cajun dancehalls. Its bouncing dance floor makes even the most uncoordinated look like they’re ready for “Dancing with the Stars.” The 4Horses are alumni of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and other Cajun favorites. Led by popular vocalist Jamey Bearb, the band makes the dust fly even more.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FIRST TEE
Keaton Hawkins finishes his tee shot at the first hole of the J.S. Clark Golf Course during the First Tee East Baton Rouge Tournament July 27.
STATE PLAY
New report shows equity gaps for girls in sports, more in the Baton Rouge metro ä For more information, read the full report at aspeninstitute.org/
BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer
With three athletic school-aged sons, Nikki Godfrey realized that the sports leagues her sons were playing in didn’t work well for their family. Bad parental behavior and outbursts during games didn’t align with their family values. The poor officiating was frustrating. Godfrey and her husband Josh started researching. They were able to find other leagues more in line with their expectations. “We had the means to provide other options for them, but I know from my work in the community that there are very limited options for those who can’t or don’t have the means to seek alternate sports for their kids,” she said, “whether that’s because of proximity, cost, availability of facilities or coaches. Outside of only a handful of opportunities, the access is very limited for people.”
Report’s findings The Aspen Institute, founded in 1949 and based in Washington, D.C, is an international nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that addresses a wide range of social issues. Its Sports and Society program coordinates Project Play, which focuses on youth sports and
wp-content/uploads/2024/11/State-of-PlayBaton-Rouge-FINAL.pdf.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY TRAVIS SPRADLING
Atlanta’s Sabritt Dozier hits a shot in her win over Michelle Li, of Beaumont, Texas, in their girls 16 semifinal match during play at the United States Tennis Association’s National BG16 Level 4 Open at the YMCA’s Lamar Tennis Center in Baton Rouge.
conducts a deep dive into communities’ youth sports programs. In Baton Rouge, after 14 months of research, the team compiled the data gathered to complete the 50-page State of Play Baton Rouge report (released here early but will
be publicly released on Dec. 11). The report found eight major challenges facing Baton Rouge youth sports, including: n Distrust in government has contributed to the privatization of sports, leaving behind children who lack access (Pay-to-play private leagues). n Climate change is impacting how children play sports. n Transportation is limited for children to access sports. n Too few quality indoor play spaces exist, especially for children in low-income areas. n Local youth are socially isolated and struggling with mental health. n Free play has all but disappeared in Baton Rouge. n Families lack information about available sports programming. n Girls play sports and move their bodies less than boys. The report takes a deep dive into each of the challenges, offering insights like: Louisiana ranks second to last in the U.S. in sports participation rates for girls (39%), behind only
ä See SPORTS, page 2G
ä See GIFTING, page 2G
What is the story behind BR’s Roumain Building? BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer
The clock may not have been part of the original Roumain package, but for Ina Bridges, the timekeeper has always been a Third Street fixture in downtown Baton Rouge. “I remember looking up at it while holding my mama’s hand when we’d shop on Third Street,” the Baker resident said. “I was small, so it towered over
me. It was so tall.” Because of this early memory, mixed with other sightings of the clocks through the years, Bridges was curious about its back story. “Why did they build a clock on the sidewalk?” she asked. Some delivery truck drivers have also asked this question through the years after a few
ä See CURIOUS, page 2G
The clock does not appear in this linen postcard, the earliest depiction of the Roumain Building on Baton Rouge’s Third Street.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY JOHN SYKES
Music community celebrates classic’s 40th anniversary BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer Forty years ago, a talented musician from the farming community of Lebeau, Louisiana released a song that defied easy categorization. “My Toot Toot,” by Rockin’ Sidney Simien, would go on to become an international crossover hit, enjoying massive record sales and radio play in genres as diverse as country, pop, disco and Zydeco.
ä See ‘TOOT TOOT’, page 2G