It’s Acadiana: Out To Lunch

Hosted ByChristiaan Mader

OUT TO LUNCH finds journalist Christiaan Mader conducting business Acadiana style: over lunch. Each week Christiaan invites guests from Acadiana's business community to join him. Beyond the foundations of the Acadiana economy - oil, cuisine, music - there is a vast network of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even some of the country's largest companies who call Acadiana home. Out to Lunch is the cafeteria of the wider Acadiana business community. You can also hear the show on KRVS 88.7FM.

What’s Old Is New Again – Out to Lunch – It’s Acadiana

January 31, 2018 Out To Lunch Comments Off on What’s Old Is New Again – Out to Lunch – It’s Acadiana

Here in Acadiana, whether you’re a recent arrival or your family’s been here for generations, there’s one thing we all agree on – we have a unique culture that we need to preserve.

That’s a great sentiment. But even though we all have it, wishing doesn’t make it happen. For culture to be preserved, somebody has to actually preserve it.

Most of us are busy, working and raising families. Despite whatever good cultural intentions we may have, we’re more likely able to quote lines from our favorite Netflix shows than lyrics to Cajun songs.

Luckily for us, and for future generations, there are people among us who are making it their life’s work to preserve, and to grow, our unique culture. One of them is Grammy Award winning musician, Joel Savoy.

Joel savoy, Aileen Bennett

A member of one of the royal families of Cajun music, Joel plays in a band with his mom and dad Marc and Ann and brother Wilson – as well as with many other combinations of Cajun musicians here in Acadiana, across the country, and around the world. Joel is also the co-founder and owner of the record label Valcour Records, where you’ll find music by Steve Riley, Bonsoir Catin, Cedric Watson, the Balfa Family, and many more.

It’s one thing to preserve a traditional culture. It’s another thing altogether to get people to consume it, in competition for their attention with Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and every other distraction out there. The secret of social media is, not to be solely a consumer of it, but to use it as a marketing tool – whether your message is Cajun culture or lawnmower repair. Here in Acadiana we are not typically known for our early adoption of technology. Matt Thibodeaux is something of an exception to that rule.

Matt Thibodeaux

Matt started out crafting social media campaigns for local companies back in the online marketing dark ages, over 8 years ago. Today Matt’s Lafayette social media marketing company, The Matthew Aaron Agency, has over 15 employees, and social media marketing has become a key tool for businesses worldwide.

Matt Thibodeaux, Joel savoy, Aileen Bennett

Photos taken over lunch at Cafe Vermilionville  by Lucius Fontenot.

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