Zydeco Comes to Crockett

Pat Mason & Bayou Boogie Rock the Night

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – So far in its existence, the Summer Lightnin’ Series has featured a variety of acts, from A to Y. However, on Friday night, June 14, the concert series went all the way to Z as Pat Mason & Bayou Boogie brought an infusion of zydeco music to the piney woods of East Texas.

Formed in mid-2011, Bayou Boogie – that ‘Little Ole Band from Louisianne’ – is a ‘Louisiana roots’ band specializing in Zydeco, Cajun, Swamp Pop/Rock. Bayou Boogie is the premier 5 piece band in the entire Ark-La-Tex area, according to their Reverbnation biography.

Prior to taking the stage, band leader Pat Mason took time to speak with The Messenger about zydeco music, what led him to the genre and what the audience could expect.

“It’s the music of Louisiana,” band leader Pat Mason said. “I’m a child of the 60s and I grew up learning how to play the guitar but I also fooled around a little bit with the accordion because my mother’s side of the family is from south Louisiana. I got to see a guy named Clifton Chenier in New Orleans. He was using a French influence mixed with the blues and I thought it was cool as hell. So, that was when I really got into zydeco.”

Mason, based out of Shreveport, said he had been playing the zydeco sound for well over 30 years and managed to put together a band of like-minded individuals in 2011.

The bass player is a named Zef Smith. Warren Williams is on the drums, Bradley Reed is keyboards and Kyle Martin is on guitar, according to Mason.

Asked how long they tour, Mason said it was pretty much year round but added “… it seems to pick up just after Christmas, with Mardi gras season. After that, the festival season starts. We have just finished five engagements in Tyler during the last two months.

When asked if he had ever been to Crockett, Mason replied he had “… been through it, but I’ve never stopped. My sister lives in Houston and they have a farmhouse about halfway between here and Houston. It kind of reminds me of Ruston, LA with some of these old, pretty homes.”

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].