ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
12:00-1:00 1:15-2:15 2:30-3:15 3:15-4:00 4:15-5:00 5:15-6:15 6:30-7:30 7:45-8:30 8:30-9:15 9:30-10:15	The Zydeco Hogs Elwood Bunn Jo-el Sonnier Eddy Raven Jimmy C. Newman The Zydeco Hogs Elwood Bunn Jo-el Sonnier Eddy Raven Jimmy C. Newman

Join us for this fun-filled day of music and spice... Cajun-style! Some of Cajun-Country's greatest performers converge on Hunter Mountain for a guaranteed good time.

Ticket are $20 advance sale for General Admission ($22 at the gate), or $50 for Patron Tickets (a portion of which is tax deductable) to benefit Camp Loyaltown. Patrons will receive preferred seating and may attend a Meet and Greet with the stars after the performance. A tax receipt will be provided to you when you pick up your Patron tickets.

Enjoy traditional cajun food like Alligator, Seafood, Chicken or Vegan Gumbo, Crawfish, Chicken, or Veggie Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish etouffé and Blackened catfish.

Jo-El Sonnier

The music of Jo-El Sonnier is a way of life. Steeped in passion, relentlessly committed to his craft... he has been the undisputed "King of Cajun" for the past 20 years and occupies a significant place in the rich artistic landscape of this country.

His fans are undeniably dedicated, while the music industry elite - Dylan, Costello, Diamond, and Cash to name a few - admire his work to no end. He is a "musician's musician" with a wonderful gift to sing and entertain you in a way often imitated but never duplicated.

Jo-El Sonnier was born in Rayne, Louisiana to poor, French-speaking sharecroppers. He began to play accordion at three years of age and as he grew, so did his love for the instrument and his ability to play it. News of this gifted, French-singing child led to a radio debut by age 6 and his first recording session by age 11.

As a favorite in local clubs, Sonnier remained a Louisiana sensation during his early adult life, but decided to try his luck in California. He received quite a reputation as a session player, but success as a solo artist eluded him. This led Sonnier back east during the mid-1970s with his sights now set on Nashville, where he landed a recording contract with Mercury Records. After several years of making recordings that failed to gain significant chart success, Sonnier decided to head home once again.

Returning to Louisiana, Sonnier nearly gave up the accordion when he received a break from Merle Haggard, who sought Sonnier as his opening act on the road. This positive turn of events spawned a return to Los Angeles, where he began performing solo shows with the help of many notable friends including guitarist Albert Lee and Garth Hudson of "The Band". By 1984, just two years after his sojourn had concluded, Sonnier had a Grammy nominated recording to his credit with Cajun Life. The recognition achieved with the success of Cajun Life provided the freedom to fuse Sonnier's deep Cajun roots with country, rock, and pop influences. "Come On Joe" was the result of this unique mix, containing country Top 10 hits such as "Tear Stained Letter" and "No More One More Time."

With radio success under his belt, Jo-El began to stretch out by becoming a sought after session player in Nashville. The sounds of his accordion can be heard on the albums of such greats as Alan Jackson, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, the Indigo Girls, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams Jr., and Steven Curtis Chapman among others. Additionally, he has shared the stage with stars like Bob Dylan, Little Feat, George Jones, and Los Lobos. The mutual respect that these musicians share with a virtuoso like Sonnier has served as a continuing source of inspiration to push the envelope and make music that everyone will enjoy.

As a songwriter, Jo-El has penned songs recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, George Strait, Mel McDaniel, John Anderson, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Although singing and performing are his first love, Sonnier has also done his share of acting in the movies, which include roles in Mask, A Thing Called Love, and They All Laughed. In 1995, Sonnier was awarded "Male Vocalist of the Year" and "Song of the Year" by the Cajun French Music Association after years of recording music sung in French. Jo-El's culture is of utmost importance to him and he continues to record music to give back to his people, insuring that his heritage doesn't die.

Known for his incredible stage performance, Sonnier has performed all across the world; from the New Orleans Jazz Festival to the Edmonton Folk Festival to performances throughout Europe and South America. Signing autographs and talking to fans after every show, Jo-El gives 100% of himself, often commenting, "I perform every show as if it were my last." His 1997 release "Cajun Pride" was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Traditional Folk Album" category, but, in true Jo-El Sonnier style, he is hardly resting on his laurels. At the "Golden Music Awards", Jo-El was awarded the "Male Vocalist of 1999", as well as "1999 Song of the Year" for "Here To Stay," which he co-wrote. In 1999 Jo-El made a dream come true by performing on "The Grand Ole Opry" for the first time. He continues to make regular appearances whenever his touring schedule permits. His formula remains simple … make music from the heart … and nobody has a bigger heart than Jo-El Sonnier.

more about Jo-El Sonnier

Eddy Raven

Eddy Raven's kind of music is rich in lyrical imagery and strong in artistic roots. He has been writing and playing a mixture of rock, country, Cajun and blues since he was a Louisiana teenager. In fact, his first single release for the Georgia-based Cosmos label, "Once A Fool", was one of his own compositions.

He gained a huge amount of all-around knowledge working at Lafayette's La Louisianne label selling records and working in the facility's sound studios. It was there that Raven first worked with the great regional stars such as Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Dale and Grace ("I'm Leaving It All Up To You") and John Fred and the Playboy Band. The great Bobby Charles ("Walking To New Orleans" and "See You Later Alligator") lived only a few miles away. He cut one of Eddy's songs and became something of a songwriter mentor to the young writer/artist.

La Louisianne added Eddy to its roster and released his "That Cajun Country Sound". This release led Opry star Jimmy C. Newman to invite Raven to Nashville. Acuff-Rose Publishing signed the young man as a staff writer and he went back to Louisiana determined to write a hit song. He met that goal writing "Country Green" and "Touch the Morning" for Don Gibson, and "Good Morning Country Rain" for Jeannie C. Riley. With the encouragement of Acuff-Rose's Don Gant, Eddy made the move to Nashville to pursue his music career full-time.

Once in Nashville, Eddy continued writing songs for other artists such as, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Tanya Tucker, Chris LeDoux, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, Lynn Anderson, Connie Smith, Faron Young, Moe Bandy, Brenda Lee and many many more. He has had over 200 cuts by many great artists.

When Don Gant moved to ABC Records he signed Raven as an artist. What followed was a string of charted songs which didn't bring him stardom, but made him an interesting prospect to fans and labels alike. Five years later he signed with Elektra Records and cut the breakthrough song, "I Should’ve Called." Just to prove that was no fluke, Raven followed it with "Who Do You Know in California", which established him as a stylist of note. Eddy started his own publishing company and kept writing hit songs for others as well as for himself. In 1982 his "Thank God for Kids" became a monumental hit for the Oak Ridge Boys, giving him financial breathing room and the opportunity to stretch a little in his own work.

The following year, after signing with RCA, Eddy wrote and co-produced his first #1, "I Got Mexico." It was the first in a long line of hits!

Eddy's attention to quality has paid off. He's consistently at the top of the charts with music that often defies classification and is never run-of-the mill. This is an artist who, without sacrificing any musical integrity, has had No.1 songs such as "Bayou Boys," "I Got Mexico," "Shine, Shine, Shine," "I'm Gonna Get You," "Joe Knows How to Live," "Till You Cry," and "In A Letter to You." Even his songs that did not hit No. 1 went on to become country classics. Take for example, the top-10 cuts, "Sooner or Later," "Island," "She's Playing Hard to Forget," "I Could Use Another You," "She's Gonna Win Your Heart," "Right Hand Man," "You’re Never Too Old For Young Love," "You Should Have Been Gone By Now", "I Should've Called," "Who Do You Know In California," and "A Little Bit Crazy." In short, he has 30 ASCAP songwriting awards, 7 #1's, 14 Top 10's, and 22 albums to his credit.

Raven keeps a busy schedule writing, recording, and touring year round. In addition to new offices just outside of Nashville that houses his interest in a studio, publishing companies, and a booking agency; he is an owner of a construction company. On top of all of this he has Eddy Raven's "Mexi-Cajun Gourmet Sauce." "It took 1st place in Austin at the Fiery Foods Show." When asked about the pace he said, "It sure beats the other option."

more about Eddy Raven>

Jimmy C. Newman

Jimmy C. Newman, born near Big Mamou, Louisiana, is the first Cajun Country singer to become a Grand Ole Opry member when he joined the world famous show in 1956. With many country hits to his credits, such as "Cry Cry Darlin'", "Daydreamin"', "Blue Darlin"', "A Fallen Star", and many more from the 50's to the 70's, he is the only Cajun artist ever to receive a Gold Record with a Cajun French Song, called "Lache Pas La Potate", in Canada in 1976.

Jimmy and his band, Cajun Country, has had tremendous success in Europe since their first appearance in London, England, at the famous Wembley Country Music Festival in 1980. They still tour Europe at least once a year and play many concerts in the USA and Canada along with their Grand Ole Opry appearances. They have been favorites of the very popular T.V. shows on TNN, such as "Nashville Now", "Grand Ole Opry Live", "Crook and Chase", and various other TNN Specials.

Some of Jimmy C. Newman and Cajun Country's latest achievements are, in 1991, a Grammy Nomination for their Rounder Album, "Alligator Man". In 1992, a special award from the "Cajun French Music Association" of South Louisiana for Jimmy's contribution to promoting Cajun music worldwide.

In November, 1993, an appearance in a CBS Sunday Night Movie called "Conviction", playing and singing traditional Cajun music. With his band, "Cajun Country", and their unique Cajun sound consisting of Bessyi Duhon on Cajun accordion, and Rufus Thibodeaux and his Cajun fiddle, backed by some of the very best musicians in Music City, Jimmy C. remains a member of the World Famous Grand Ole Opry.

more about Jimmy C. Newman >

Elwood Bunn

Back in 1976 Elwood left his home in Lizard Lick, North Carolina and came to New York City. Soon after arriving, he quit his corporate job of fifteen years to pursue a lifelong dream of being a country singer and musician. He formed a band of the best pickers in the area and they started playing nightclubs. "But," Elwood says, "that grew old real fast. I hated the smell of beer and all that smoke, but even worse was having to play for a bunch of rowdy people. So I started looking for more tasteful venues, and what I found were festivals, country clubs, private parties and corporate events."

Elwood plays traditional country music - songs made famous by artists like Hank Williams, Eddy Arnold, Ray Price, Bob Wills, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash.

Nowadays he often performs solo, and calls his program, "Elwood Bunn's Good 0l' Country Music Show." He has played at the resorts in Atlantic City, the Waldorf Astoria, the NFL Superbowl, Lincoln Center, the Rainbow Room, cruise ships to Alaska, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame. On a typical Saturday night though, you might find Bunn and his band "The Country Jubilee!" doing a big hoedown at a country club. They've played at private affairs for folks like Mickey Mantle, Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, Al Gore and Yogi Berra.

Elwood appeared three times on the TV drama Texas. "We've come a long way and I've enjoyed every minute of it," he drawls. "And I'm proud to say that we've opened for people like Faith Hill, Willie and Waylon, Charley Pride, the Oak Ridge Boys and Garth Brooks."

River City Slim & the Zydeco Hogs

River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs bring the exuberant sounds of the steamy bayous of southwestern Louisiana to the hills of New England. The Zydeco Hogs cook up a spicy musical gumbo that combines the traditional sounds of the button accordion and washboard with a driving, syncopated beat.

The Zydeco Hogs have opened shows for C.J Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, Rosie Ledet, The Zydeco Sweetheart, Geno Delafose & The French Rockin' Boogie, Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners, Zydeco Force, Roy Carrier & The Nightrockers, and Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Cha's.

more about River City Slim & the Zydeco Hogs >

Proceeds to Benefit Camp Loyaltown

Camp Loyaltown was originally founded as a non-sectarian camp for underprivieged boys from the New York Metropolitan area. Camp Loyaltown is now leased to the Association for the Help of Retarded Children, Nassau Chapter, for one dollar annually by the Board of Directors of Camp Loyaltown, Inc., a philanthropic organization.

Camp Loyaltown is situated on 234 wooded acres in the Northern Catskill Mountains in Hunter, New York. The camp is a private, non-profit, summer residential respite camp for children as young as four years old through adults in their 80s who have developmental and other disabilities. Programs include swimming, boating, nature, arts and crafts, ceramics, fabric arts, dance, drama, woodworking, athletics, music, and cooking.

more about Camp Loyaltown >