Rachel

Wilson

Rachel Guidry Wilson

Drummer/Band Leader

Rachel Wilson & Cajun Express

Rachel Guidry Wilson was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is the daughter of Ulysse “PeeWee” Guidry and the late Masil Gautreaux Guidry.  Rachel grew up right down the road in Scott, Louisiana, where she still resides today.  Rachel is married to Wayne Wilson and has one son, Taylor “T-Jay” Hebert, and two steps-sons, Ray and Jason Wilson.  

Rachel learned to play the drums when she was 8 years of age.  She would sit behind her brother’s drum kit and play along with records while her parents were still at work.  She would practice playing along with records every opportunity she had. It was a special treat for Rachel when she was invited to play a few songs with various bands, which is how she stumbled on her first opportunity to become the regular drummer for a band. 

During the past 25 years, Rachel has played Cajun music in bands with several talented musicians, young and old alike:  Alan Domingue & the Scott Cajuns, The Touchet Brothers Band, Brett Denais & ‘Tit Rouge, Jr. Hebert & the Maurice Playboys, Gerald Thibodeaux & Cajun Accent, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Hubert Maitre & the Triangle Aces and Pat Thibodeaux & the Bayou Stompers.

For the 7 years prior to starting her band, Rachel played drums for Hubert Maitre & the Triangle Aces. During that time they recorded CD with Horace Trahan on the accordion.  Rachel has also recorded with Gerald Thibodeaux & Cajun Accent.

Rachel thrives on new challenges and, for the past three years, she has ventured into other styles of Louisiana of music including Swamp Pop and even some old classic country. She formed the band Rachel Wilson & Cajun Express in February 2009.  “That is what is exciting about Cajun Express. We play a little of it all. The enthusiasm of this band will surely get your toes tapping!”  We love playing traditional Cajun music, a rare and dying genre, due to many of the young people now playing more of a progressive style.

Rachel is soon to release the first CD with her band, “Riding the Rails” Rachel Wilson & Cajun Express, in which two songs that she wrote are included on the CD. The CD is scheduled to be released during a performance at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, LA on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Rachel is a registered member/songwriter with BMI.

Rachel is actively involved in promoting her Cajun Heritage. She is more than willing to donate her time and can often be seen volunteering to play music for residents at local nursing homes. She served on the Board of Directors for the Cajun Culture Association, in which she has been a member for the past 6 years.  She has also held membership in the Cajun French Music Association. Rachel loves every aspect of her Cajun Heritage and hopes to continue playing and promoting Cajun music for many years to come.  When she is not playing music, you can often find her out listening and dancing to some of the other great bands in our area.

Rachel extends thanks to everyone for the encouragement and support over the years.  Some of her most memorable times include playing at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, 2007 Jazz Festival in New Orleans with Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys and 2005 Festival International in Lafayette sitting in with Johnnie Allan, Roddie Romero and David Egan. Rachel Wilson & Cajun Express has played Festivals Acadiens et Creoles for the past two years.

For bookings, to purchase a CD or obtain other information about Rachel Wilson & Cajun Express, please contact:

Rachel Wilson

PO BOX 1156

Scott LA 70583

Cell# 337-247-2497