CFMA L’association de Musique Cadienne Francaise de Louisiane presents 31st Annual Le Cajun Awards Ceremony

RAYNE - CFMA L’association de Musique Cadienne Francaise de Louisiane presented the 31st Annual Le Cajun Awards Ceremony during a three-day event held Aug. 15-17, at the Rayne Civic Center.
In addition to traditional Cajun musical entertainment provided all three days of the 2019 festival, “Proud to be a Cajun” was the theme.
Thursday included awards presented to the 2019 French Speaking Contest winners, “New Dawn” and “New Chapter” awards, ending with entertainment by CFMA Young Musicians, all held in Breaux Bridge at the La Poussiere Dance Hall.
French speaking awards were awarded to 1st grade - 1st plae Jack Bedsole, 2nd place Lauren Walker, 3rd place Oliver Chauvin; 2nd grade - 1st place Stella Hale, 2nd plave Elliana Buller, 3rd place Avelyn Campbell and Joshua Adeyemo; 3rd grade - 1st place Yola McClurg, 2nd place Drew Krefft, 3rd place Caitlyn Ridgeway; 4th grade - 1st place Kailey Kennedy, 2nd place Masyn Dupont, 3rd place Amelia Cormier; 6th grade - 1st place Emma Wakefield, 2nd place Kaycie LeBrun.
The Gerald Domingue La Creme de La Creme Award was presented to Kailey Kennedy.
Chapter awards and New Dawn Awards were also presented during the Friday program, including: Ashley Miller of Acadiana Charter Chapter; Rainie Ortego of Lake Charles Chapter; Kelsie Rene Gary and Reed Patin of Chapitre de Lafayette.
Thursday’s schedule was completed with musical entertainment provided by Brazos Huval School of Music backed by Huval Family Band.
Friday’ events were held at the Rayne Civic Center with the award show beginning at 7 p.m.
The welcome was delivered by Blaine Dupont, National Governing Body President at Le Cajun - CFMA’s Annual Cajun Awards Music Festival, and Rayne Mayor Chuck Robichaux.
Taking center stage were a number of local and area individuals who were honored, including:
President’s Award - Daniel and Elaine Romero of Rayne.
New Dawn Recipients (6-16 years of age) - Ashley Miller of Acadiana Charter Chapter, Rainie Ortego of Lake Charles Chapter, Kelsie Rene Gary and Reed Patin of Chapitre de Lafayette.
Hall of Fame honorees Allen Fontenot, Danny Cormier and Kerry Boutin.
Pioneer Award- Alex Caswell.
Heritage Award - John Best
Accordionist of Year - Jimmy Breaux.
CFMA Appreciation Award - Mike Broussard.
Fiddler of the Year - Joshua Richard.
CFMA Continuing Contribution Award - Liberty Theater.
Female Vocalist of Year - Amelia Biere.
Male Vocalist of Year - Johnny Sonnier.
CFMA Heritage Award - John Best.
2019 Best First CD - Johnny Sonnier and Jimmy Breaux, A Tribute to Aldus Roger and More.
2019 Best Traditional CD - Johnny Sonnier and Jimmy Breaux, A Tribute to Aldus Roger and More.
2019 Band of Year - Johnny Sonnier and Jimmy Breaux, A Tribute to Aldus Roger and More.
CFMA Pioneer Award - Alex Caswell.
2019 Song of Year - Rene a’ Lui by Blake Miller and The Old-Fashioned Aces.
Friday evening concluded with live Cajun music by Dylan Aucoin and the Judice Ramblers.
Saturday events included the new accordion and fiddle contests introduced this year, with winners were:
Accordion Contest winners were: youth - place Burke Riley; junior - Kyle LeBlanc; adult - Jamey Bearb. Sponsored by Cajun Music Radio.
Fiddle Contest winners were: youth - Owen Meche; junior - place Daisy Hoffpauir; adult - place Jamey Bearb. Sponsored by Cajun Country Lounge and Dance Hall.
Saturday included music from 1:30 - midnight by Jamie Bearb/Jason Bergeron & Friends, Troy LeJeune & Cajun Revue, Keagan Navarre & Louisiana Traditions, Cameron Dupuy & The Cajun Troubadors featuring an “All-Star” Family Tradition Extravaganza.
Special thanks to the many volunteers, donors and chapters for the 2019 program that welcomed over 500 guests, especially Lt Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism, City of Rayne and Cajun Music Radio.