FOCUS: Buckwheat Zydeco to perform at Cajun Festival

3/28 UPDATE:  Buckwheat Zydeco has canceled a headline appearance at the Lowcountry Cajun Fest due to illness and upon the recommendation of his doctors, according to the Charleston County Park and Recreation commission.  A replacement, Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys from Lafayette, La., will serve as a replacement headliner.

Staff reports | Renowned Cajun musician Buckwheat Zydeco will bring his energetic, accordion-laced sound to the Lowcountry Cajun Festival on April 3 at James Island County Park.

Zydeco and his band, which claim the three largest selling Zydeco albums of all time, will perform from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the festival, which opens at noon. Two other featured acts during the spring festival are Shrimp City Slim and Sidewalk Zydeco.

Buckwheat Zydeco brought the music from which he takes his name into the mainstream with the 1987 release of the first-ever Zydeco album, “On a night like this,” on a major label. Since then, he’s been tearing up stages across the world.

Over the course of his career, the musician has gigged with everyone from Eric Clapton (with whom he also recorded) and U2 to The Boston Pops. The band performed at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics to a worldwide audience and even performed at both of President Bill Clinton’s inaugurations.

National television appearances include PBS’s tribute to Paul Simon, where Buck performed with Lyle Lovett; sitting in with Paul Shaffer on The Late Show With David Letterman; and feting Ozzie Ozbourne among other’s on VH-1’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

His album “Lay Your Burden Down” won the Grammy Award for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album in 2010. More: BuckwheatZydeco.com.

The Lowcountry Cajun Festival is known for its food and its music, and this year’s 25^th anniversary celebration, is sure to deliver. The event, a celebration of Louisiana living in the Lowcountry, offers Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole foods, children’s activities and entertainment at James Island County Park. Festivities run from noon until 6 p.m. on April 3.

Local and regional chefs will cook up a variety of mouth-watering Cajun and Creole foods and Lowcountry favorites. In addition to fantastic food choices and the annual crawfish eating contest, this event is known for its music. Non-stop Zydeco music performed live throughout the day will keep hips swingin’ and toes tappin’. More: Charleston County Parks.