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.