Kevin Naquin & Cajun Preservation

Biography

Kevin Naquin is a Cajun accordion player and vocalist from Ossun, Louisiana, who has dedicated his career to preserving and advancing traditional Cajun music.[1][5] Born into a musical family with deep roots in Louisiana's Cajun heritage, Naquin began playing accordion at age 13, quickly demonstrating exceptional talent by placing second in the 1994 junior accordion contest at Mulate's Restaurant in Breaux Bridge.[1] His musical lineage includes two great-grandfathers who were legendary Cajun musicians: accordionist Hadley Fontenot and fiddler Edius Naquin, both of whom helped sustain Cajun music during the lean years before the Cajun renaissance of the 1960s and 70s.[1]

Naquin's professional career took off in the late 1990s, with his recording debut coming in 1997 on cassette.[1] Between 2000 and 2004, he won over a dozen awards from the Cajun French Music Association (CFMA), including multiple Band of the Year, Accordionist of the Year, and Best Recording of the Year honors.[1][2] His band, the Ossun Playboys, became one of South Louisiana's most respected Cajun ensembles, known for their powerful performances that blend traditional Cajun sounds with contemporary influences.[1] In 2004 alone, Naquin and his band dominated the Le Cajun Awards, winning Band of the Year, Best Recording of the Year for "Bayou Groove," Song of the Year for "C'est trop tard," and Accordionist of the Year.[1]

Beyond his musical achievements, Naquin has become a cultural ambassador and political figure, serving as a Republican member of the Lafayette Parish Council.[5][6] Through his project "Kevin Naquin & Cajun Preservation," he remains dedicated to keeping the classic sound of Cajun music alive, specializing in everything from energetic two-steps to soulful waltzes.[3] His vision extends beyond personal recognition; as he stated, "All I want to do is be recognized 50 years down the road as a pioneer and a band that provided Cajun music."[4]

Fun Facts

• Naquin learned to play accordion using a Horner accordion that belonged to his great-grandfather Hadley Fontenot, connecting him directly to his family's musical heritage.[2]
• As a young child, Naquin's babysitters included Don Montoucet and his wife Adolice, with Don being a legendary accordion player who would play while Kevin sat on his lap, providing informal early musical education.[2][7]
• At just 20 years old, Naquin and his band dominated both the 2000 and 2002 Le Cajun Awards, demonstrating his early mastery and recognition within the Cajun music community.[2]
• Naquin creatively transformed Pee Wee Broussard's traditional "Everybody Waltz" into "Everybody Two Step," an infectious track with a southern rock tinge, showcasing his ability to innovate while respecting tradition.[1]

Members

• Kevin Naquin - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Don Montoucet - Legendary accordion player of the Wandering Aces who served as Naquin's babysitter and early musical influence, playing accordion while young Kevin sat on his lap (Wandering Aces recordings) [Early childhood (approximately 1990s)]
• Hadley Fontenot - Great-grandfather and respected accordionist who provided Naquin with his first Horner accordion and represented the pre-renaissance Cajun music tradition (Traditional Cajun accordion recordings) [Family lineage/early influence]
• Steve Riley - Musician from the Mamou Playboys who heavily influenced Naquin's musical style development (Mamou Playboys recordings) [1990s-2000s]
• Barry Ancelet - ULL Professor Emeritus who collaborated with Naquin as a co-writer on original compositions for multiple albums (Title track waltz, "Belle journée," and other original compositions) [2000s]

Key Collaborators

• The Ossun Playboys - Naquin's primary band and creative vehicle, serving as his backing ensemble and co-winners of numerous awards (All studio albums and live performances from 1997 onwards) [1997-present]
• Ashley Hayes - Female vocalist and co-writer who won Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2004 CFMA awards ("C'est trop tard" (Song of the Year, 2004)) [2004]
• Louis Dronet - Fiddler who won Fiddler of the Year at the 2004 CFMA awards while performing with Naquin's band (2004 Le Cajun Awards-winning recordings) [2004]
• John Gary - Bass, steel guitar, and vocals performer who returned to the band after membership changes (Later Ossun Playboys albums) [Mid-2000s onwards]
• Beau Thomas - Seasoned fiddler who joined the band during its membership restructuring (Later Ossun Playboys recordings) [Mid-2000s onwards]
• Seth Guidry - Steel guitar player who joined the band as a young musician; the album "Jaime Garantie" was dedicated to his memory ("Jaime Garantie (No Guarantee)" album) [Mid-2000s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz