Two years ago our regional art forms were honored with the establishment of a new Grammy Awards category recognizing the “Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album.” This validation of our local artists, industry and our state's cultural economy has generated lots of excitement and an increased focus on the potential of our state's homegrown entertainment industry.

Since that time, Louisiana Crossroads has collaborated with Cynthia Simien of Music Matters, Johnny Palazzotto of Pal Productions, Lisa Stafford, the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and a variety of partners from across the state to produce live performance showcase events in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammy Awards.

Proceeds from those events – and this special night of music and conversation with Grammy nominees and winners at Vermilionville – have been and will be used to help defray travel expenses for each year's nominees.