Don Haynie & Sheryl Samuel have been taking their music throughout the United States since the mid-1980s, crossing and re-crossing the country and singing for folks in a wide range of venues---college campuses, community concert halls, coffeehouses and roadside saloons. In that time they have gotten to know many parts of this land very well, and among the places they're always glad to visit, Louisiana has come to rate very highly. During a couple of visits to the state in 2001, Don was inspired to write God Bless Louisiana and put into song some of what they love about the place.

In 2002 they were in Baton Rouge again, enjoying some Cajun dinner and music at Boutin's, and heard Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers. They were taken with the band's blend of traditional and contemporary influences, and their talent for making music at once fun and deeply heartfelt, and the next day Don and Sheryl asked Lee and the band to record with them. The session took place at Master Track Studios in Crowley, Louisiana, and captured a modern Cajun feel perfect for the song.

Don and Sheryl had another song in their bag that they thought would be right for this band, and they went on to record Country Tavern on Saturday Night, a song of Don's from the 1980s, inspired by the roadhouse where they first honed their act.

Though this record only showcases the instrumental talents of Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers, Lee is one of the finest singers of contemporary Cajun music today. Please visit his website, www.leebenoit.com and check out his recordings.

Click Below for Song Samples

God Bless Louisiana
Country Tavern on a Saturday Night