HLS 19RS-955 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 8
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Jamie Berzas on his 2019 induction into the Louisiana
Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Jamie Berzas upon his 2019 induction into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall
3 of Master Folk Artists.
4 WHEREAS, established in 1976, the Louisiana Folklife Center is a research facility
5that serves as an archival repository of eight hundred artist and subject files, one thousand
6five hundred audio recordings, one hundred videotapes, a growing print library of books and
7periodicals, and five thousand photographs; these resources have been used by CBS Evening
8News, Turner Broadcasting Company, and Louisiana Public Broadcasting and other
9individuals, groups, and agencies; its faculty also coordinates the Natchitoches-Northwestern
10State University Folklife Festival; and
11 WHEREAS, an agency of Northwestern State University, the Center's mission is to
12identify, document, and present Louisiana's rich history of folklore and folklife; and
13 WHEREAS, Mamou-born Jamie Berzas began his musical journey at the age of ten,
14when his father taught him how to play the accordion; Jamie also learned how to play the
15guitar and the drums; and
16 WHEREAS, in 1979 in his hometown, he founded Jamie Berzas and the Cajun
17Tradition Band, of which he is the lead vocalist; the Cajun Tradition Band played at the 1984
18World's Fair in Louisiana and the 1987 Annual Cajun Music Festival at Loretta Lynn's Dude
19Ranch; and
20 WHEREAS, Jamie's band was awarded the title of Musicien Du Bal after winning
21first place in a 1987 Bal De Maison contest at Acadian Village in Lafayette; Jamie Berzas
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HR NO. 8
1and the Cajun Tradition Band also received a Grammy nomination in 1989 for its album, A'
2La Veille Facon, in the category of Most Traditional Folk Music Recording; and
3 WHEREAS, at the 2000 Mamou Cajun Music Festival, Jamie was honored for his
4contributions to the genre; in 2005, he was inducted onto Fred's Lounge Wall of Fame in
5Mamou where he shares the wall with Cajun greats Belton Richard, Aldus Roger, Jo-El
6Sonnier, and Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman; Fred's Lounge is world-renowned for
7its Saturday morning dances with live Cajun bands; and
8 WHEREAS, the melodies and harmonies of the life of Jamie Berzas have contributed
9to the folklife and folklore of Louisiana's rich and diverse musical culture; Jamie Berzas
10merits a special measure of commendation upon his 2019 induction into the Louisiana
11Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists.
12 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
13Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Jamie Berzas upon his 2019 induction into
14the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists; does hereby congratulate him on
15his lifetime of musicianship and musical achievements; and does hereby extend to him every
16good wish for continued success, prosperity, and happiness in the future.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
18to Jamie Berzas.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 8 Original 2019 Regular Session Cox
Commends Jamie Berzas on his 2019 induction into the La. Folklife Center Hall of Master
Folk Artists.
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