IN ONE ERA AND ALL THE WAY OUT THE OTHER

You’ll see them if you WATCH “The Voice”. “America’s Got Talent” American Idol” or little Big Shot”. There is always one young man, usually under twelve with a guitar, a cowboy hand wearing western clothes and singing a country song. They’re cute and people vote for them but reaching the age of puberty their voice will change, never to be heard from again.

I have contestant whose genres, DNA, enthusiasm and talent will overcome any obstacle to his success. He has all the required qualification, locks, plays Us awn guitar sings in both English and French and just happens to be the Grandson of “Louisiana’s King of Cajun Singers’. Vin Bruce. He IS nine years old Benjamin Patrick Bruce, son of Dwayne and Dodie Bruce and we all know where the apple falls.

I admit bang prejudice towards the grandson of my best friend but last week, by coincidence, he was the subject of my weekly column in “The Times” and made the front page of another paper, The Lafourche Gazette” and today’s column. Gathering such attention at his age means there’s same-thing about him that is spreading fast in the Cajun country

Ebdon Barries, a fellow BMI song writer and musician was recently quoted “It was dear that Benjamin would follow in his grandfather’s footsteps when he sang a Hank Williams song in English and French at an annual tribute to Hank at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, Louisiana Benjamin strip the show.”

He was four years old when he started to perform in public, urged an with help from Ma Paw Paw Via who at his age was very shy. This kid is not

Recently at Vin and Aline’s Bruce’s house he obliged me by singing for about an hour. First a Hank williams song in English and then In French, like Vin and I had translated it many years ago. As be played his guitar Via and I looked at each other and him as he made Jimmie Rodgers runs and hit minor chords Heck, Vin and I didn’t know what a minor chord was until we were past our teens, and by that time we were professional musicians. (Note: being a professional musician does not necessarily mean you’re good, only that you get paid to play) Anyway he sure got to me when he sang songs I had written far Yin ever 50 years ago.

I asked him “do you speak French or understand the words you are singing?” He answered very politely “No, sir, I learn by listening to Paw Paw’s records,”

Just then an old memory returred. It was shout 1SSB and Dot had brought our 3 year old son Mike to the Town Club in Golden Meadow La Nige”) where my band was playing. He had a small guitar tut I was having a bad night with my guitar starting out in the middle of songs I was singing. By the fourth time I lost it and hit my guitar on the hand stand railing. Seeing this Hike took his guitar and smashed it on his chair. Picking him up. Dot whispered as she WAS leaving “Mike will hear you play again when bets old enough to cone by himself,” We settled it later, but Oh! How I miss Mike.

My mind turned back to our young enter entertainer and I said “your parents chose your name well, honoring three great Americans Benjamin “Franklin Patrick Henry and of course Vin Bruce,

Make sure you always honor them You have great talent and I foresee magnificent thing? in your future. (I thought, but did not articulate the only time you’ll hear your full name is when you do something naughty and jour mother yells “Benjamin Patrick Brace, you cane here!” That’s a mother’s Job) You’ll probably answer to “Benny” or “Ben Bruce” which Rhymes with Vin Bruce, your great heritage.”

I told him “young mag, try to learn the Cajun language, not just sing it You might be the last hope we haw to keep it alive. Keep singing and you will brighten up the world you live in. Your Grand-father did. BYENOW!

In this week’s piece, historical columnist Leray Marin things tight on the grandson of Vin Bruce, who has aspirations to be a Cajen music star.

SUMMITEDIN ONE ERA AND ALL THE WAY OUT THE OTHER