Johnnie Allan - Louisiana Man (2012)

Johnnie Allan's been a prominent Cajun performer since his teens, when joined accordionist Lawrence Walker's band as a steel guitarist. When the band split, Allan teamed with pianist/fiddler U.J. Meaux, producer Huey Meaux's cousin, in the Krazy Kats, a rock band. Allan continued singing rock and roll and R&B in the late '50s and early '60s. He alternated between music and education for a while, at one point even becoming principal of an elementary school. But his popularity soared when his Cajun-flavored cover of Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" became a hit. Allan's style mixes rock flamboyance with Cajun authenticity, and has been featured on many regional labels. ~ Ron Wynn