Keyun Dickson, 2010 Big Squeeze Champ

       Keyun took the top prize at Texas Folklife’s 21st annual Accordion Kings & Queens concert at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston on June 5, 2010.  With the title he received a new Hohner accordion, recording time at SugarHill Recording Studios and $1,000 cash, as well as promotional support from Hohner, SugarHill and Texas Folklife.
Before the finals, Keyun had expressed how happy he would be just to win the title, even without any prizes because this represents his life’s passion.  “I couldn’t believe it,” said Keyun later, “I wanted to cry.”  Keyun’s love of Zydeco and Cajun music was influenced deeply by his family – his grandmother first exposed him to the genre and his father bought him his first accordion when Keyun was nine.  His uncle taught him his first two or three songs and he was on his own after that.  He learned to play mainly by listening to and imitating the music of his idol, Step Rideaux. While still in high school in Humble, Texas, he started his own band and would frequently play at school functions and at teachers’ parties.  His father got him started by buying that first accordion and some equipment, but Keyun has since saved his earnings to purchase a trailer for his band travel. He’s the youngest member of Keyun & the Zydeco Masters, which includes established players including guitarist Wilton Stellasting whom he credits with teaching him about the music business. Stellasting gained his own experience by playing rubboard for the great Step Rideaux. (Step, by the way, played at the 2008 Accordion Kings & Queens and is featured in our documentary, “The Big Squeeze.”)
    For such a young performer, Keyun shows maturity and a facility for the music business, booking the band for regular gigs around Houston.  Keyun also demonstrated great sportsmanship throughout the Big Squeeze contest as he collaborated closely with his competitors, helping them with equipment needs and advice. These personal attributes will serve him well as he continues to develop and practice his art.
    In an incredibly competitive contest, Keyun knocked out the Big Squeeze judges and audiences alike with his technical proficiency, stage presence, rhythm and style. We know this is just the beginning for this young man. Congratulations, Keyun!
Link to Houston Chronicle article
Photo by David Dodd
More information about The Big Squeeze Contest

The Big Squeeze 2010 Semi-finals were a huge success!

    Squeezebox sounds filled the air in downtown Austin, a few blocks from the state Capitol at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum on Saturday May 1st.  Over 660 attendees enjoyed the music of seven talented young accordionists from throughout the state, proving that Texas traditional music is alive and well. The contestants performed Tejano and Zydeco to the delight of the audience, followed by performances by Conjunto Aztlan and Grammy Award-winners Joel Guzman and Los Texmaniacs.

    Seven semi-finalists were showcased in the program including Keyun Dickson (18) and Ruben Paul Moreno (20) of Houston, Gloria Jean Cantu (17) and Christina Valdez (11) of San Benito, Peter Anzaldua (13) of Brownsville, Jesus Zamora Jr. (19) of San Antonio, and Ignacio Isai Morales (14) of Dallas.                                                                                   

      Four young accordionists advanced to the finals to be held on June 5th at the 21st Annual Accordion Kings & Queens Concert in Houston at the Miller Theater – Keyun Dickson, Ruben Paul Moreno, Jesus Zamora Jr. and Ignacio Morales. Dr. Gary Gibbs, Director of the Texas Commission on the Arts was on hand to greet the crowd and announce the finalists.

    We were proud of all of our young accordionists, who were all incredibly talented, and of our beautiful Texas cultures.  We were especially pleased to partner with The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Austin Latino Music Association to tell the story of Texas with traditional accordion music. The accordion unites us all, and makes us dance!

Photo by Stephan Bless   

Coming up: The Big Squeeze Semi-Finals

RAIN OR SHINE!

Texas Folklife is pleased to announce the names of the eight squeeze-boxers who will advance to the semifinal stage in the fourth annual Big Squeeze contest: Peter Anzaldua, 13, from Brownsville; Gloria Jean Cantu, 17, from San Benito; Keyun Dickson, 18, from Houston; Roger Guerra, 17, from Mission; Ignacio Isai Morales, 14, from Dallas; Ruben Paul Moreno, 20, from Houston; Christina Valdez, 11, from San Benito; and Jesus E. Zamora, 19, from San Antonio.
The Semi-finals are co-sponsored in Austin by The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum & the Austin Latino Music Association
May 1, 2010 -- 2:00 to 6:00 PM
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave. Lone Star Plaza (outside)
With performances by:
Mariachi Corbetas
Conjunto Aztlan
and Grammy award-winning Los Texmaniacs
Special Guest Artist: Joel Guzman

Free and open to the public! Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.
More details on 2010 Big Squeeze accordion contest

Read more about the 2010 Big Squeeze Semi-Finals in Austin!

This year the Big Squeeze contest went on the road with auditions held all over the state!

San Antonio: February 5th, 7-9pm First Friday at Casbeer’s www.casbeers.com with Conjunto Heritage Taller
Rio Grande Valley: February 8th through the 10th, 6-9pm (Edcouch Elsa High School, La Joya ISD, and the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center)
Austin:  February 28th, 1-4pm at the Mexican American Cultural Center  www.ci.austin.tx.us/macc/
Dallas: March 6th at the Latino Cultural Center  www.dallasculture.org/latinoCulturalCenter/
Schulenburg: March 13th at Sengelmann Hall  www.sengelmannhall.com
Houston: March 27th at Talento Bilingue www.tbhcenter.org
      and March 28th at The Big Easy Club www.thebigeasyblues.com
San Angelo: April 3rd  www.samfa.org