Lake Charles native, Rusty Metoyer, is one of southwest Louisiana’s premier stars. Metoyer and his unique brand of Zydeco music have thrilled audiences from California to New York, in Holland and France, and every weekend from Houston to New Orleans. Rusty Metoyer was immersed in Creole music from a young age. Both of his grandfathers were Creole musicians. However, he didn’t pick up the accordion until the age of 14 after both grandfathers had passed away and he felt that someone needed to keep the tradition going in the family. In 2010, his senior year of high school, he formed the band Rusty Metoyer and The Zydeco Krush.

Metoyer and his band perform regularly in Louisiana and Texas for a wide variety of events, including festivals, night clubs, trail rides, corporate events, casinos, and private parties. What makes Metoyer’s music unique are the noticeable influences from many different genres such as funk, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, hip hop, and soul. Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush have released two albums: Take My Hand (2013) and In Due Time (2016) and two singles: Riverbank (2019) and Hurricane Proof (2020). He is also a member of the creole super group known as Creole United, featuring seasoned creole musicians Andre Thierry, Sean Ardoin, Ed Poullard, and Lawrence Ardoin. 

Metoyer is dedicated to preserving his Creole heritage and culture. In 2016, he was a recipient of the “Lasting Impression Award” by LA Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, at the National Tourism Week Awards Ceremony. He was also presented with the “Best New Artist Award” at the 5th Zydeco Music and Creole Heritage Awards Ceremony in March of 2017. The award was presented by the C.R.E.O.L.E. Inc (Cultural, Resourceful, Educational Opportunities, & Linguistic Enrichments, Inc) organization of Louisiana. Metoyer was most recently voted winner of American Press’ “People’s Choice of SWLA – Best local musician” (2021). 

Rusty Metoyer and his band has performed at a variety of festivals including: The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival (New Orleans, LA), Strawberry Park Blast from the Bayou Cajun Zydeco Festival (Preston, Connecticut), ZydecoZity (Raamsdonksveer, Holand), and Nuits Cajun Festival (Saulieu, France). Metoyer continues to share his deeply rooted passion for Zydeco and Creole culture through his music and interviews. One of his latest interviews with Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) can be seen here. 

Rusty’s music can be heard on all major digital streaming services - Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, and more. Rusty and his band are sure to have their audience dancing and passin’ a good time!