Welcome to the Official Website of the Cajun Squeezebox Shootout!

The Cajun Squeezebox Shootout is the Annual World Cajun Accordion Playing Championship held in Jennings Louisiana.

Our 2008 LIVE Shootout starts at HIGH NOON in the Historic Strand Theatre on Saturday February 2nd 2008 in beautiful downtown Jennings Louisiana!

A Message from the Founder:
The sounds of Cajun Music led by the Accordion were a big part of my early years. My mama and me used to listen to Cajun Music on the Radio and watch Passe Pa Tout on TV every morning -- at least until I got too old and busy as a teenager, to care too much about that "old people's music".

Then, once I really grew up, as with many of us who grew up Cajun raised, the value of our local heritage and culture became once again a big part of my life. The Cajun Squeezebox Shootout is my humble way of both showing appreciation for the precious heritage we share, and also of reaching out to the young ones around us. We are all responsible to "pass the torch" and to demonstrate to the young that "Cajun" is not a call to commerce but rather a call to culture.

And so we got ourselves a contest here. My sincere thanks to the staff and sponsors who worked so hard and gave so much to make this event possible. Please help me in welcoming and applauding the spirit, talent, and Joy of Life all the contestants bring to the 2nd Annual Cajun Squeezebox Shootout.

Thanks for coming, and see you next year!
Dwayne Coots

2006 SQUEEZEBOX SHOOTOUT WINNERS

ADULT DIVISION:

1st  :: AARON CHESSON of VINTON 

2nd  :: JOEL MARTIN of SCOTT 

3rd  :: ZACH ARNAUD HUVAL of BREAUX BRIDGE


JUNIOR DIVISION:

1st  :: TRAVIS BENOIT of MORSE

2nd  :: JARED TRAHAN of LAKE CHARLES

3rd  :: BRAYLIN DAIGLE of BRANCH

Special Note of Thanks: 
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave their time and skills to make the Shootout such a success. Everyone on stage and behind the scenes did an excellent job. We could not have "squeezed" another person into the building and we're only going to get bigger next year. Thanks to all for helping us promote Cajun Music and Culture!
-- Dwayne Coots 
CSS Founder and Organizer

Please use the menu above to Learn More about the Cajun Squeezebox Shootout Accordion Contest. The competition is free and open to the public but you must Register in order to be able to compete.

You can also Contact the Shootout Team with questions or sponsorship inquiries.

Our mission is to promote Cajun music and culture and to bring together Cajun musicians and Cajun music lovers in a fun and friendly atmosphere. 

The 2006 Shootout Event was part of the 14th Annual Jennings Mardi Gras Festival and Parade.

 
Your Host for the Shootout

Dwayne
"Kou Kou"
Coots
from 
KBON 101.1 FM

2007 Shootout
Celebrity Judges!

Sheryl Cormier

Damon Troy

Robert Jardell