Buckwheat Zydeco (born Stanley Dural Jr.) is a living legend in the state of Louisiana.  One might even say Buck IS the state of Louisiana.  Staying true to his Creole roots, he has managed to preach the message of Zydeco music to the masses, while winning an Emmy and gathering four Grammy nominations along the way.  Musicians such as Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Robert Plant and Ringo Starr have jumped at the chance to jam live with Buck.  To prove one can still dance while wearing a tuxedo, President Bill Clinton personally requested Buck's performances at both Presidential Inaugurals.

Buck graciously paid a visit to XMFan to reflect a bit on his music and life in southern Louisiana.

XMFan:  When did you learn to play your first instrument?
Buck:  Many years ago.  I was about five years old when I learned to play the piano.  We always had pianos in the house because my dad would pick up old ones that people didn't want.  One was in the house, one on the porch, and one in the garage.  My older brother played the piano so I picked up a lot from him, and I learned to play by ear.  At the age of nine I got my first organ and played it in a band. 

XMFan:  When the mood strikes, you still play the hell out of a Hammond B3 (organ)...
Buck:  Yes, as a matter of fact I just got a new one.  It's more compact, a real bad mosquito!

XMFan:  Would you tell us a little about the Creole heritage of southern Louisiana?
Buck:  The Creole-speaking people here are mainly black.  They speak the French language and Creole language from Haiti.  The French we speak here goes way back through history, back through slavery, which is why the dialect has changed over the years.  Definitely different than "regular" French.

XMFan:  You were a good friend with Clifton Chenier (known as "The King of Zydeco").
Buck:  He was my Zydeco mentor.  I was an organ player for Clifton Chenier for over two years, played the Hammond in his band.  He was my inspiration, why I'm doing what I'm doing today.  If it weren't for him, and playing in his band, I wouldn't be playin' no accordion! (laughs)  When I was raised, the accordion was what my dad played.  It's a traditional instrument in the Creole culture.  To perform with Clifton Chenier was very, very inspirational.

XMFan:  Many of your fans and critics alike have christened your band as "the best party band in the world..."
Buck:  Oh man, that really touches my heart.  That'll make you feel good.  The thing is, there's a reason why Buckwheat Zydeco is Buckwheat Zydeco.  When you have an audience and they're having a good time, it's very rewarding to me.  That's my intention, performing for whole generations of people.

XMFan:  Is there such a thing as a "typical" Buckwheat fan?
Buck:  To be honest with you, the fans out there, they're about the same wherever I perform, whether it's in the United States or internationally.  People come together to really enjoy the music, so I would say it's all the same.  I've never had a bad night, whether there were two people or two thousand.  If somebody's got a smile on their face, that's where I'm at, you know?

XMFan:  Your album Down Home Live, released in 2001, has received countless five-star reviews from all types of music sites.  Did you have any reservations about recording a live show?
Buck:  Yes.  It had been in the making and we had been wanting to do it, and you're always worried about timing.  I knew I was going to do this but didn't know when.  Finally the timing was right and we did it.

XMFan:  In 2002, you won an Emmy Award for music that was featured in the CBS movie Pistol Pete:  The Life and Times of Pete Maravich.  Were you surprised to be nominated for, and eventually win an Emmy?
Buck:  Well, I tell you, just being nominated is rewarding.  To me, you don't have to win.  Just to know somebody's out there listening to you, to even get the nomination, sometimes I pinch myself to see if this is even real.  Nice to know somebody out there loves you, brother!

XMFan:  Would you tell us about your custom piano accordion? 
Buck:  My accordion is a Hohner.  I handpicked it in Germany at the factory.  It is customized, and they actually remodeled some of it in pearl.  I also have my own modifications to get a distinct sound.  I had a technician do some modifications, because these accordions come acoustic.  We put some electronics in it to get that sound, just like that Hammond organ, so it's very distinct.  Just like a Rolls Royce.  That's why my accordion has such a different sound, like you won't hear from any other accordion on the planet.

XMFan:  Odds are ten-to-one that your accordion will wind up in the Smithsonian one day…
Buck:  Yeah!  (laughs)  I'm pretty sure!

XMFan:  XM Radio plays your music on several different channels, but they play many of your songs on XM Kids.  What was your inspiration to record the album Choo Choo Boogaloo?
Buck:  You give 50% to the older generation and 50% to the younger generation, because if you don't do that, what's going to happen to them ten years from now?  It was very nice to do that album, and I'm hoping we can do another one.  We have to keep our children inspired to do good things in life, because if we don't, how's the future going to look?  It's that simple.

XMFan:  Did you realize XM broadcasts your songs coast to coast to about 1.7 million subscribers?
Buck:  That is cool.  That's good to hear.  That's what I mean when I say this is rewarding, you know?  It's not about a dollar bill.  This is what I do, this is what I love to do, and I love to share with people who have never heard it before.

XMFan:  If XMFans want to learn more about Buckwheat Zydeco, your tour dates, and where to buy your albums, where can they go?
Buck:  www.buckwheatzydeco.com.

XMFan:  If a traveler finds himself in southern Louisiana and wants to experience some local culture, would you recommend a trip to the French Quarter or a drive down Highway 90?
Buck:  I would have them drive Highway 90 coming west or Interstate 10 west (from New Orleans).  For entertainment, I'd advise them to hit El Sid O's Zydeco Blues Club in Lafayette.  It's the number one Zydeco club on the planet.  There's so much culture back here, you can spend a year here and find out about everything.  So many roots and culture.

Buckwheat Zydeco can be heard on Bluesville, X-Country, XM Kids, and XM Cafe.