Support the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund

One hundred years after his birth, Clifton Chenier’s music still moves the world. Known as the “King of Zydeco,” Chenier shared the soul of south Louisiana with a global audience—earning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and transforming the sound of American roots music. 

Valcour Records is celebrating his 100th birthday with the release of an all-star album "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier" and by launching a scholarship in Traditional Music in his memory.

All donations to the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund will directly support Zydeco accordion students in the Traditional Music Program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette—the only academic program of its kind devoted to the traditional music of south Louisiana.

Your Gift Will Be Doubled

Thanks to generous support from the Louisiana Music Museum and the Gia Maione Prima Foundation, every donation—large or small—will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000. That means your $25 gift becomes $50. Your $250 becomes $500. Your support goes twice as far in shaping the future of our region’s music.

Give by September 18, 2025

Help us meet our fundraising goal before September 18. The total amount raised, including matching funds, will be presented live on stage to UL Lafayette by C.J. Chenier, Clifton’s son, during his tribute performance at Acadiana Center for the Arts on September 18 as part of the Louisiana Crossroads series.

🎟️ Join us for the celebration! Get your tickets here →

Why This Matters

“There will be a new generation every year of some young kid… deciding on a career in music or recording or writing music.”
— Richard “Dickie” Landry, musician and photographer

This scholarship is more than a financial gift. It’s a lifeline for the culture of Acadiana—nurturing emerging artists, preserving traditions, and building a future where Zydeco, Cajun, and Creole music continue to thrive.

Give Now and Keep the Music Alive

Use this secure form to make your tax-deductible gift today.

All proceeds go to the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund at UL Lafayette. Matching funds available until the $10,000 challenge is met. Deadline: September 17, 2025.