They say politics makes for strange bedfellows. In Louisiana we all know that politicians will get into bed with just about anybody, especially if there is a dollar to be made. All cynicism aside I applaud Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and what his office is doing to help some of Louisiana's best musicians.

One of the jobs of the Lt. Governor is to promote tourism. There is no bigger draw to our state than the music that is created by our homegrown musicians. Mr. Dardenne is using his office to help raise funds to help Louisiana musicians nominated for a Grammy Award defray some of their costs for making the trip. The Grammy Awards are held in Los Angeles and plane fare, hotel rooms and other costs can add up in a hurry.

The star studded event was held Saturday night at Baton Rouge Magnet High School. Among the Grammy Nominees in attendance; The Hot 8 Brass Band, Zachary Richard and Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience. All in all there are 11 Louisiana artist nominated for Grammy awards this year in addition to those previously mentioned, Hunter Hayes, Tim McGraw, Allen Toussaint, Terence Blanchard, Bobby Rush, Andrew Duhon, Bishop Paul S. Morton and PJ Morton have been nominated as well.

In a report filed by the Louisiana Radio Network Dardenne says his reasoning for hosting the event tied right into to the mission of his office,

"Louisiana's a huge contributor to the American music scene and the Grammy's is obviously an opportunity to recognize that."

Louisiana has had at least one Grammy Nominee every year since the inception of the awards. The only years when a Louisiana native was not nominated were the years 1960 and 1970.

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