We're thrilled to be producing the 2008 Cajun Squeezebox Shootout. The event will be held on Saturday February 2, 2008 at HIGH NOON at the Strand Theatre on MAIN STREET in the Historic District of beautiful downtown Jennings Louisiana. 

Click here for event location Map and Driving Directions!

Thanks to the efforts of our staff and the support of our sponsors, we are gearing up to have a real shootout this year! Also judging by the positive responses we're getting from the public and the Cajun music industry, this year's contest promises to be fun and exciting for everyone involved.

CONTEST DETAILS: 
The Shootout is is an annual musical performance contest open to Cajun (single-row diatonic) accordion players of all ages. The Shootout will be judged by a panel of five judges selected from the Cajun music industry. 

The contest is free to enter and open to anyone, but you must REGISTER in order to be allowed to compete. 

There are three divisions in the 2008 Shootout. 
The Youth division: Age 13 and under 
Junior division: Age 14 - 20 
Adult division: Age 21 and older 

The winners will not only have the reward of being recognized as a world class champion accordion player. Cash Prizes and Trophies will be awarded to the top three contestants in all three divisions! 

TROPHIES: The Winners will be allowed to keep their trophies as a permanent keepsake of their accomplishment. 

CASH PRIZES: The top three contestants in each division will also be award CASH Prizes in the amounts shown here:

• Grand Prize! 1st Place - $500.00 Cash

• Runner Up! 2nd Place - $100.00 Cash

• Place! 3rd Place - $50 Cash

Questions? Please Contact the Shootout Production Team for more details, or you can call 337-774-0900 during business hours.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS:

BOUDREAUX'S INN 
15189 Hwy. 26, Jennings, LA. (337) 824-0025 

BUDGET INN 
15368 La. 26, Jennings, LA 70546, (337) 824-7041.

COMFORT INN 
607 Holiday Dr., Jennings, LA 70546, (337) 824-8589 or 1-800-228-5150.

DAYS INN 
2002 Port Drive, Jennings, LA 70546, (337) 824-6550; 1-800-329-7466. 

HOLIDAY INN 
603 Holiday Dr., Jennings, LA 70546, (337) 824-5280.

FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS: 

Q: What type of people are going to be entering the contest. Will it be professionals, amateurs, or what?

A: We do not allow registrations from professional accordion players. By "Professional" we mean that they do not have any other job and that playing music is their livelihood. Please note however, that the Shootout IS open to people in bands, weekend players, and festival players who have so called day jobs. So the competition will be strong, but you won't be facing Wayne Toups or Steve Riley.

Q: Who is entered? How many people are entered?

A:  We will not divulge who has entered or how many competitors there are because we want to keep the contest as fair and on-the-level as possible. Of course you can rest assured that we would not give out your name to anyone either.

Q: What are the Criteria? How does the judging work?

A: There will be a panel of five judges and one alternate. Each judge will be from the Cajun music industry. The criteria will be on Cajun music knowledge, fingering style and skill, traditional and modern songs, and also on performance and presence on stage. Each contestant will have three segments to compete in. A compulsory skill segment, a random song call and play segment and a free-play segment with optional drum accompaniment.

Q: Whoa.. Hold up. What do those Segments mean? Please explain?

A: There will be 3 segments to the Shootout:

1) Compulsory Skills Segment:

• Required to solo play a full turn around of at least one waltz and one two-step of your choice. Two minutes allowed for this segment. You simply call out the song you want to play and then play it -- at least through the first turn-around. To succeed in this segment you must display accurate fingering and smooth pulling skills as well as traditional Cajun trills and bass-hand rhythm playing.

2) Call and Play Segment: 

• This segment evaluates the contestants' Cajun Music Skill and Knowledge. The panel will have a numbered list of Waltzes and another list of Two Steps. They will roll a dice to acquire a random number and look on their list to find that number. That number is the song they will ask you to play. If you don't know it, say so. This will deduct from your score, but it's not the end of the world...* (Better to skip a song then to play it badly.) They will require one random Waltz and one random two step. To succeed in this segment you should have a well rounded knowledge of different Cajun songs and be able to play them on request.
  (* Junior Division Contestants will NOT be penalized for skipping songs.)

3) Free-Play Segment:

• Here you will have two full minutes to impress the judges with your skill, showmanship, and Cajun Accordion musicianship. It's also the place to be a performer. Cut loose and give them a show. A professional drummer will be on duty to lay down a beat under your direction. (Optional) Then you simply play anything you want to in the time allotted. To succeed in this segment you must show the ability to play the accordion freely and with abandon. Build some excitement with the crowd and the judges, and of course blow everyone away with your style.
  

Have other Questions? Contact the Shootout Team