Lakeport >> In the early 20th century, performers in Louisiana combined Creole music, Cajun music, jazz and rhythm and blues to form the genre known as zydeco. It’s not the most popular of music, but it sure is fun. “It makes people feel good and if you haven’t heard it before and you have to come and see us,” said Willard Blackwell, the vocalist, drummer and band leader of Cajun zydeco group Gator Nation. “It just feels good and if you get up and dance it’s even better.”
People will have the opportunity to see Gator Nation tonight at Library Park for the 2015 Summer Concert Series. The band consists of six members: Blackwell on vocals and washboard (also known as a frottoir in zydeco music), David Scott on saxophone, pennywhistle and vocals, Linda Hutchinson on bass and backup vocals, Randy Quan on guitar and backup vocals, Dennis Hadley on accordion and Rick Cutler on drums.
Four decades ago, Blackwell quite literally picked up a drum as he joined his high school marching band. From there, he began playing funk, rock and roll and R&B. He went on to minor in music in college, after which he joined up with a couple soul bands. Cajun zydeco music wasn’t on his radar until years later.
Then in 1995, when the band went by Gator Beat, Blackwell got a call from founder Richie Domingue asking if he wanted to join as a singer and drummer. Domingue was originally from Lafayette, Louisiana where he’d gained extensive experience with zydeco, and it was he who introduced Blackwell to the genre. The drummer was instantly hooked.
Blackwell acted as a singer and drummer with Gator Beat until 2003, when he went back to school for his Master’s. His sabbatical from the band didn’t last long. In 2005, Domingue passed away and his wife, who also acted as the group’s manager, asked Blackwell if he would return to lend his vocals and play the washboard. Blackwell obliged. Eventually, he adopted the roll of band leader.
The group performed as Gator Beat until last year, when the manager wanted to retire and take the name with her. They happily began calling themselves Gator Nation instead. “We try to cover the Midwest all the way up into Canada,” Blackwell explained. “We wanted to be more expansive and Gator Nation did that.”
Over the years, the band has recorded six albums worth of original material, mostly under the Gator Beat name. They have one CD out as Gator Nation and are currently working on another. But regardless of the band name, the originals always have an upbeat Cajun zydeco sound, with some New Orleans funk and R&B thrown in for good measure.
When it comes to shows, the Gator Nation musicians are the quite the travelers, heading as far east as Louisiana regularly. And even though they’re local to Northern California, tonight’s show marks the first year they’ve participated in the Summer Concert Series in Lakeport. Blackwell is happy to be staying close to home for once.
For a musician, the best part about playing live is experiencing the reciprocity between themselves and their audience. “It’s like a high,” Blackwell said. “Musicians spend a lot of time honing their skills, rehearsing and playing and that’s a lot of fun … but when we play in front of an audience we get to actually get the feedback immediately. When the crowd is feeling good it makes us feel good.”
Blackwell insisted their Cajun zydeco music is so upbeat “you can’t help but dance … If you want a feel good band and a wonderful time, come and see Gator Nation.”
The band performs tonight at Library Park in Lakeport at 6:30 p.m.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
