Jules "Nonc Jules" Guidry

Striving to preserve his Acadian culture and heritage, Jules "Nonc Jules" Guidry has promoted the Cajun culture, language, music and heritage for many years. Born at Church Point, LA in 1944, Jules and his wife Mary Lou Vincent Guidry currently live in Carencro, LA. For over 17 years Nonc Jules worked at the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) in its mission to preserve the French language in Louisiana. From 1983 to the present he has hosted the popular Sunday French music program "Bal de Dimanche Apres Midi" (Sunday Afternoon Dance) on KRVS radio - playing Cajun, French and Creole music and speaking Cajun French during interviews and breaks. Occasionally, he emcees the live Saturday evening "Rendezvous des Cadiens" show at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, LA. Having taught himself to play the accordion, triangle (tit fer) and harmonica (musique à bouche), Nonc Jules and his band "Nonc Jules & Lachez-Les" play at festivals, local restaurants and special events. Jules was a pioneer in forming the very successful Cajun music jam sessions to inspire and help young Cajun musicians. Since 1990, Jules and Mary Lou have volunteered as cultural artisans at Vermilionville - an Acadian living history village in Lafayette, LA. In 2007 Jules Guidry received the prestigious Jo-El Sonnier Greatest Cajun DJ Award for his lifelong service in promoting Cajun music and in 2010 was inducted into the Order of Living Legends at the Acadian Museum in Erath, LA.