In 2000, a forecast of inclement weather led Geno Delafose to move his
annual fan appreciation party from his Double D Ranch in Duralde to the Northwest
Community Center Pavilion in Eunice. It did not rain that
year, but on October 13, 2001, it rained steadily most of the day until an hour before the
event started. However, with the party once again relocated to the pavilion, everyone
stayed dry, and the concrete floor was ready for dancing.
Geno opened the evening with "Creole Stomp," also known as
"Happy Town" because an Opelousas Toyota dealer uses "Creole Stomp"
with that slogan in ads that have run on Lafayette television stations for decades.
Geno played favorite songs from La Chanson Perdue, as well as other music
that kept the dance floor crowded.
Lawrence "Black" Ardoin was among the guest musicians,
and, after a few words from Geno, Lawrence Ardoin's father, Alphonse "Bois Sec"
Ardoin agreed to join his son on stage for a memorable session of old-time Creole music.
After other guest musicians performed, Geno returned to the stage
briefly, wearing a coat to shield him from the north wind that began to blow following the
rain. He played "Blue Runner" to close out another great evening of music and
dancing.
As in years past, the Delafose family served a free barbecue dinner
to everyone in attendance, and, of course, the party itself is free and open to everyone.
This year, the design of the official Fan Appreciation Party T-shirt
included an American flag and the words "God Bless America."
Click
here for pictures of other musicians from the 2001 party.
Click
here to go to the opening page on the fan appreciation parties.
Click here
to go to the main page on Geno Delafose.
|
