Benoit inducted into Hall of Fame

Rayne’s own “Lee” Benoit (born Bradley Dale Joseph Benoit) was inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame at ceremonies held in his hometown Friday night.

Benoit was inducted at the Le Cajun Award Ceremony held at the Civic Center in Rayne.

Benoit was one of four inducted this year. While the Cajun French Music Association typically only inducts two each year — sometimes a third who has been a supporter of Cajun music and/or culture — this year a tie in the voting, the first ever in its history, led to four.

Also inducted this year were Wallace “Red” Touchet, August Broussard and, posthumously, Felton LeJeune.

After the CFMA voters choose the official class, it falls to the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Eunice, to setup up the photos, biographies and even some artifacts from the inductees into the display. The museum and hall of fame are the official voters and keepers, as sanctioned by the Louisiana Legislature.

Voters from all CFMA chapters as well as those with deep knowledge of the industry are presented ballots with about 50 names that are whittled down to 10 then two, or three.

Benoit has always taken a unique approach to melodies in lyrics with his music and has been performing Cajun music five nights a week since 1994. He is passionate about presenting his music and culture with pride, dignity and professionalism.

Benoit started playing gospel music when he was 5 years old on an organ given to him by his grandmother. At the age of 12, he learned the guitar and formed a band that played country and southern rock. The band’s particular influences came from Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynard Skynyrd and Hank Williams.

In his teens, Benoit added the bass guitar to his growing musical instrument inventory and at 29, he learned to play the accordion after being inspired by Wayne Toups. It was after adding the accordion, however, that Benoit added Cajun music to his repertoire.

In 1993, Benoit was signed as a recording artist to Master-Trak, a label out of Crowley, by J.D. Miller. Here, he recorded his first three Cajun albums – Avec Amis (1994), Live at Vermilionville (1998) and Dis ‘n’ Dat (2000).

From Avec Amis, Benoit earned a nomination for Best First Album and Song of the Year for “Valerie” by the CFMA.

Live at Vermilionville earned the artist five more nominations and the song “La Visite” from the album earned Benoit Song of the Year honors.

In 2000, Benoit also earned Accordionist of the Year honors.

In 2002, the CFMA presented Benoit the President’s Award.

Benoit’s musical talents exceeded beyond from in front of the microphone as time went on. 

In 2005, he presented his fourth album, Ma Petite Femme, which he produced, recorded, mixed and mastered at his home studio. The album featured 12 songs, eight of which were original. The title song, and the album itself, once again earned Benoit CFMA honors as he was presented Male Vocalist of the Year, Accordionist of the Year and Song of the Year.

In 2006, Benoit also received nominations for Best Recording of the Year and People’s Choice in 2006.

As time has gone on, Benoit has been presented even more honors at subsequent Le Cajun festivals; in 2011 he received the Heritage Award and in 2013, the coveted Award of Excellence.

The Award of Excellence was presented to Benoit for his promotion of the use of proper Cajun language as well as helping young musicians in their recordings of traditional Cajun music.

This year, Benoit released another album, For the Generations to Come (Pour Les Générations À Venir), which contains new, original songs and a new version of “Valerie,” which he wrote for his wife and has been the most frequently played love song on Cajun radio.

Benoit was born to Neva Touchet and Ozone Joseph Benoit Jr. in 1959. He was raised in Crowley by his grandmother, Cidalise Mayer Benoit and now lives in Rayne.

In 1978, he married his childhood sweetheart, Valerie Ann Guillory. They raised two children, Damien Lee and Maegan Ann, each of whom are talented musicians in their own right and are part of Benoit’s family band.

The Benoits also have a grandson, Xander Cruz, born to Maegan in 2012.