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The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band has been playing together since 1977. The band includes husband and wife Marc and Ann Savoy, on accordion and guitar respectively, and Michael Doucet of Beausoleil on fiddle. The trio has presented traditional Cajun music at Louisiana dance halls, major music festivals, and presidential inaugurations. They recently played a Cajun dance party in New Orleans’ French Market for the National Treasures Tour of Culture Bearers in National Parks. I sat down back home with the Savoys and Michael Doucet to talk about the band and their relationship as friends, family, and musicians. First, I asked Marc Savoy about his choice to continue family traditions of making and playing accordions.
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This is American Routes from New Orleans, a city of music and songs, many of which have been written about it, often by outsiders. “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans"–music by John Turner Layton and lyrics from Henry Creamer–was published in 1922. “Way Down Yonder” was advertised as "A Southern Song, without A Mammy, A Mule, Or A Moon.” That was a rightful dig at some of the Tin Pan Alley clichés of the day. “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" has been performed by many: Benny Goodman, the Andrews Sisters, Freddy Cannon, Jan and Dean, and Dean Martin. And now let’s go “Way Down Yonder” and beyond, starting with a fresh version of the old song from New Orleans Jazz Vipers on American Routes. -
Castro Coleman, also known as Mr. Sipp, was born in McComb, Mississippi. He grew up hearing his parents, grandfather, uncles, aunties, and cousins playing and singing music at home and in the church. He was also influenced by professional gospel groups, as well as the bluesman B.B. King, who inspired Mr. Sipp to pick up the guitar at age six. Sipp would go on to play B.B. King in the CMT network’s series, Sun Records. Mr. Sipp has gone on to receive many blues and gospel awards, but he has never let his music be defined by one style. -
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We learn about klezmer music from a local band, and some of New Orleans' most beloved musicians share their favorite Christmas songs. -
Each December 24th, along the Mississippi River above New Orleans, families gather around massive bonfires–some shaped as log cabins or animals–to light the way for Santa Claus or Papa Noel. It’s a holiday tradition that goes back to colonial times along what is now called the Côte des Allemands, the German Coast. I caught up with CJ and his young son CJ Jr. who were tending to a big bonfire on the levee in Lutcher, LA. -
When you think about music in New Orleans, you probably think of jazz or blues, or maybe funk and bounce. Christmas carols? Not so much. But many musicians in New Orleans have deep roots in the church. -
Margaret Dauphin, the mother one of the victims killed during the 2025 New Year's Day Bourbon Street attack, speaks with the Historic New Orleans Collection about what she'll remember about her son. -
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Songwriter and singer Joan Shelley prefers to make music in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky rather than the industry centers of Nashville and New York City. She’s recorded a series of well-crafted contemplative albums with guitarist Nathan Salsburg at home in Louisville, at Jeff Tweedy’s Loft in Chicago, and even in Iceland. You’ll find references to rivers, waterways, and oceans in her songs and albums. We began asking her what the Ohio River means to her. -
