Accordionist, singer and songwriter Mary Roszela Bellard, “Rosie” Ledet (pronounced led-dett), was raised on rock & roll music. During her teenage years in southwest Louisiana, she listened to classic rock & roll radio stations in nearby Eunice; her favorite groups included Santana and Z.Z. Top.
Like so many other French kids raised in rural southwest Louisiana, she paid no particular attention to all the zydeco music that was around her in her formative years; even though her parents had tried to raise her with a healthy respect for zydeco music, the music held little appeal for her as a kid. But one day, after attending a zydeco dance when she was 16, hearing Boozoo Chavis, and meeting Morris Ledet, who would later become her husband, she was smitten.
Rosie hails from the rural town of Church Point, Louisiana, and learned to play the accordion by watching her husband and then practicing on his accordion while he worked during the day. With her self-penned tunes, Ledet provides a unique female presence in the male-dominated zydeco world. She sings in both Creole French and in English. Her songs are often sly and lusty and combined with her natural good looks and distinctive, bluesy singing voice, she wows audiences wherever she goes.
A prolific songwriter, Rosie has released seven albums of her own material, with a backing band that includes her husband on bass, father-in-law on rub board, and nephew on drums. All of her releases have been on the Maison de Soul label of the Flat Town Music Co. in Ville Platte. Rosie’s albums showcase superb lyrics, strong vocals and skillful accordion playing. Her newest CD, Pick It Up was released in 2005 and very well-received, critically and commercialy.
She and her band began performing in 1994 throughout the Texas-Louisiana triangle, and have gradually spread their touring base to include the rest of the U.S. Ledet and band have been on several European tours as well.
The Zydco Playboys: No matter how talented the lead, the band backing her must be just as skillful, energetic, and cohesive. Rosie has been blessed to have just such a band. Comprised of her husband Morris on bass, father-in-law Lanice Ledet on Rubboard, nephew Lukey Ledet on Drums, and longtime collaborator Kent August on guitar, the Zydeco Playboys are without a doubt able to supply just the right sound so that Rosie can give her fans the performance they have come to enjoy and expect.
www.rosieledet.com
Mark your calendars for the 30th Annual Cotati Accordion Festival. August 22 & 23, 2020. Looking forward to another multi-cultural, multi-generational, musical extravaganza.
