The rise of populism, demagoguery, intolerance, and bloodshed in American politics calls to mind an earlier era when those same forces reigned supreme in Louisiana. Here, Taylor Henry and the Dockside Dignitaries introduce “Waltz of the Kingfish,” an ode to Louisiana’s legendary Huey P. Long (1893-1935).

The ballad, performed by South Louisiana musicians with a bayou Cajun flair, weaves the story of Huey P. Long’s rise from humble beginnings to arguably the most powerful state leader in U.S. history, whose “Share the Wealth” redistribution program won mass appeal in the Great Depression but infuriated the ruling class until his assassination at the state capitol.

Produced by Eric Adcock, “Waltz of the Kingfish” was recorded on a sultry summer day at Dockside Studio on the shady banks of Bayou Vermilion in Maurice, La. Engineer Justin Tocket mixed and mastered the recording.

Taylor Henry, a 45-year career journalist, devout practicing Catholic, father of four, and Washington, D.C. attorney, covered Louisiana politics in years past for Louisiana television news channels WWL and WDSU, New Orleans; KSLA, Shreveport; and KNOE, Monroe, where he received the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award in 2008 for excellence in investigative reporting. His stories have appeared in various Louisiana print and digital publications including Gambit Weekly, nola.com, and The Dead Pelican.  Taylor Henry also served for a time on Capitol Hill as Communications Director for Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA). He began playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager growing up in Mississippi, the state of his birth, where he developed a lifelong passion for making his own music in styles that echo southern influence and inspiration, ranging from ballads to bluegrass to blues.

Eric Adcock is a three-time Grammy award-nominated musician, songwriter, and producer from Abbeville, La.  He draws inspiration from American roots music and piano stylings from the place he loves: South Louisiana. As a session musician, Eric Adcock has contributed to numerous albums including Rhiannon Giddens, The Mavericks, Marcia Ball, Zachary Richard, Warren Storm, and many other regional and international artists.

The Dockside Dignitaries are Eric Adcock (piano), Stefan Comeaux (pedal steel guitar), Kyle Hebert (accordion, fiddle, bass), Sarah Russo (backing vocals), Bill “Smitty” Smith (drums), and Chad Viator (electric guitar).

Words and music to “Waltz of the Kingfish” are composed by Taylor Henry who plays acoustic guitar and sings the lead vocal on the recording.

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