'Music is the voice of a culture': Cajun and Creole musicians speak about the power of music to preserve, represent, and celebrate South Louisiana's French heritage

Cajun and Creole music, also known as French music, represents a vital part of South Louisiana's culture. The music I heard growing up instilled a strong sense of pride and belonging for me in connecting to my heritage, and the music grounds other Creoles and Cajuns in this common heritage as well. My passion for the music prompted me to examine the role that French music plays in preserving and transmitting Louisiana's Cajun and Creole cultures. I began my research by interviewing several of South Louisiana's musicians best qualified to speak about the subject. Each emphasized three main themes that I have concentrated on in my study—language, performance, and relationships.;Once older generations who still speak Creole or Cajun French are gone, their spoken language will most likely go with them. Yet while these dialects may be disappearing from the spoken words, they are preserved in the sung words of recordings from past- and present-day musicians. Due to the music's wide appeal, Cajun and Creole musicians frequently perform at home and abroad, representing the culture through their music. It is important to recognize how insiders and outsiders alike connect to the same heritage and keep the music alive through their appreciation for it. The input and support of people influences and sustains the work of musicians who admitted that they want to grow as individuals and as part of a musical family comprised of blood relatives, bandmates, fans, mentors, and others. Through these relationships, musicians maintain their identity and celebrate a collective heritage.;Based on my observations of the local music scene, Cajun and Creole music fosters enough passion and devotion from cultural activists to preserve the musical heritage of South Louisiana for many years to come. Understanding how language, performance, and relationships impact the French music of today will help us see how these aspects will influence the music of tomorrow. This dissertation explores how numerous musicians feel about preserving the language in their songs, representing the culture through their performances, and celebrating South Louisiana's French heritage through the relationships they cultivate.