A&E

Tough job, but somebody's gotta do it

by Patrick Flanagan

With the Hub City getting its Mardi Gras on, several locals have put their party on pause, and instead boarded a plane Friday bound for L.A. - the other one - where they'll be repp-in' Acadiana through the weekend at this year's Grammys.

Tyler Thigpen and Lucius Fontenot about to clink glasses during the Louisiana Luncheon of the Grammys.

With the Hub City getting its Mardi Gras on, several locals have put their party on pause, and instead boarded a plane Friday bound for L.A. - the other one - where they'll be repp-in' Acadiana through the weekend at this year's Grammys.

Representing The IND is Ty Thigpen of Lafayette, who will be providing photo coverage of the events, and one-on-one discussions with Acadiana's nominees.

Never thinking she'd be attending such a star-studded event, Thigpen - a biologist by day and an Alabama native - says this is what some might consider a never in a lifetime kinda thing:

"I am really happy and honored that Lucius invited me and proud to be friends with such a talented man. He will sometimes send me an album cover he designed or photographed or a band and I just think, wow ... no wonder this is Valcour's fifth nomination, not to mention Joel and Phillip."

She is referring to the Valcour Records' dudes: co-owners Lucius Fontenot, Joel Savoy and Phillip LaFargue. This year's Valcour nominee is The Band Courtbouillon, that all-star group featuring Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy.

She continues:

"They all run Valcour as a labor of love and they have full-time jobs as well. It is surreal that I will be in L.A. celebrating. There are very few other communities where something as magical as this could happen. Acadiana is special. There's just so much talent all around us."

Check back here, and on our Facebook page for more on Ty Thigpen's weekend at the Grammys. We promise lots of pictures and an opportunity to win fabulous prizes.