MOMOJO RECORDS -Corey Arceneaux is a Legendary Zydeco Accordionist, known for making the accordion talk. Corey’s latest project, Accordion Man, recorded with the Zydeco Fusion Band, celebrates his forty years of playing the accordion. Teaming up with his sons, he’s bringing in the fifth generation of family musicians, blending rich tradition with fresh innovation. The album pays tribute to the group’s African American Creole roots and showcases Corey’s unique artistry and storytelling through music. Inspired by Zydeco greats like Clifton Chenier, Fernest Arceneaux, and Buckwheat Zydeco, along with the ‘Lafayette Zydeco’ sound, Corey’s music embodies a deep connection to Louisiana’s vibrant culture. He has performed across the U.S. and abroad, including major festivals like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Recorded at the Grammy Award-winning Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana, Accordion Man features Grammy-winning guitarist Joe “Cookie” Chavis, multiple Grammy nominee Cecil Green, and other master musicians. Album was released May 22, 2026!

HPEPPER RECORDS - Zydeco on the Road – Live in Richmond Virginia (Liner Notes) On a warm June evening, at the Tin Pan in Richmond, Virginia, the band performed to a standing room-only crowd. They transported the audience to the original zydeco dance halls of Southwest Louisiana – Slim's Y-Kiki, Richard’s and The Hamilton Club. The only thing missing was the wooden foors that bounced as dancers two-stepped the night away and the big window fans that battled the humid night air. Through storytelling, Arceneaux lays out his journey to zydeco. After a short-lived interest in playing the guitar, 10-year-old Corey became obsessed with learning to play the accordion. Luckily, the “Lil Red Accordion” he saw in the Sears catalog met his parents’ per kid total Christmas gift limit of $100. After convincing an accordionist who was also their neighborhood sanitation worker to teach him to play, he was on his way. With more than 85 years of Creole music history in his family, it’s no wonder he was a natural. Great-grandfather Ferdinand Arceneaux performed house dances in the creole/lala genre. He was later joined by his son, Fernest Arceneaux, who was billed as the “Prince of the Accordion” and performed zydeco worldwide in the beginning of the genre. On his maternal side, his great uncle, Rodney Bernard, has performed as a drummer and scrubboardist with many zydeco legends. The old school, intimate yet festive evening and live recording feels part speakeasy and part Mardi Gras. He pays homage to the artists and music he grew up listening to and admiring – Buckwheat Zydeco, Clifton Chenier and Fernest Arceneaux. In “I’m Coming Home,” he gives tribute to the King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier. This audience favorite brings out the majesty of the piano note accordion and Arceneaux’s mastery of it. This CD ends with a tearjerker “My Star,” a dedication to Arceneaux’s mom, the late Debra Melancon Arceneaux. On one of his frequent visits to Louisiana in 2023, his mother asked him when he was going to write a song for her, and he said, “on the next project.” Sadly, she passed away a few months later, but he kept his promise. While on earth, she was his best friend. Now, she’s his guiding star. Albeit short, if you’re from Louisiana and familiar with zydeco, you’ll feel like you got a dose of “joie de vivre” that only a visit home can give you after listening to this album. If you’re not, you’ll quickly recognize what makes southwest Louisiana and its people unique and special – creative, country, caring, cayenne-spiced and always ready to “pass a good time.” Then, you’ll rush to the next Corey and the Zydeco Hot Peppers show near you.

HPEPPER RECORDS - There are many accordion players and a few great ones, but good luck finding more than one or two who can make a piano accordion talk, rejoice and cry like Corey Arceneaux can. Corey grew up in Carencro, Louisiana, and started his first band in high school. Labeling him has always been a challenge because of his creative and versatile style. This project comes 30 years after his first release, “Hot Pepper.” “I’ve Been Country” brings in various dance styles while sticking to his strong Creole roots as a member of one of Zydeco’s first families, led by his late great uncle Fernest Arceneaux, who was also known as the “New Prince of Accordion” for his skilled playing. Corey’s great grandfather and Fernest’s father, Ferdinand Arceneaux, was also an accordionist who performed Creole “Lala” music (a predecessor of Zydeco) at house dances.

In 2020, Corey moved to a D.C. suburb to be with his wife. The relocation evolved his ambassadorship of Zydeco and the Creole culture worldwide, which he’s done since the 1990s. Big changes over the last few years also helped Corey’s songwriting soar – yielding original tracks. In the DC area, he connected with musicians with experience in and a passion for Zydeco music. They jammed, and everything came together like a pot of gumbo. The talented Zydeco Hot Peppers are Ben Holmes (drummer), Doug Bell (guitar), Gene Monroe (bass) and Pat Clark (percussion & scrubboard).

The transition from live shows to the studio was seamless, and the group’s tightness comes through in the tunes. Ben held the pocket on every track, which he learned in his 20 years of performing with the Grammy award-winning Zydeco legend Queen Ida. Gene’s bass playing is impressive throughout, especially his phenomenal acoustic bass on “Creole Lullaby.” Doug added flavor to “Gumbo” with his acoustic box guitar and laid down amazing solos on the lead guitar throughout the project. Chris Watling, who has performed with greats such as The Spinners, Ben E. King, Dr. John and The Four Tops, added spice with his tenor and baritone saxophones. The grand piano in Gizmo Studio kept calling Corey’s name, and he strummed the ivory keys on three tracks. Pat finished off the rhythm section with percussion and supporting background vocals.

On one of Corey’s Louisiana visits, he worked with a few of his favorite people at Lockdown Studio. Under the direction of Michael Lockett, Corey’s youngest son, Tyler Arceneaux, laid down rhythmic plays on the scrubboard and his cousin, Erica Fox, sang her heart out on “Gumbo” and “Not from New Orleans.” Erica has worked with Toni Braxton, Master P and Shai, and Corey accompanied her on her 2018 “Creole Woman” single. Longtime friend and former scrubboard player Jerome Senegal provided additional direction and support as always.