GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ZYDECO MASTER STANLEY “BUCKWHEAT” DURAL, JR. PROGRESSING WELL BUT STILL RECUPERATING

Grammy Award-winning singer and accordionist Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr., leader of Buckwheat Zydeco, continues to recuperate from radiation treatments for a localized recurrence of lung cancer. He is expected to fully recover, however his doctors have advised him that he will need a bit more time to recuperate. His performance scheduled for August 26 in Bicentennial Park has been cancelled as a result.

Dural has endured a number of health issues this year. On February 26 he suffered a collapsed lung caused by a fractured rib. He was briefly hospitalized while on the road, but was performing again within a couple of days. He then developed a staph infection from that procedure and landed back in the hospital, this time for two weeks while he fought off the infection and pneumonia. The early stage lung cancer recurrence was discovered in the course of routine follow up examinations. Dural had been treated for cancer in 2013 and has been cancer-free since.

He completed a ten-day course of radiation in Baton Rouge at the end of June that is expected to have eliminated or controlled the cancer recurrence. Meantime, he is being treated with medications to reduce inflammation and he is progressing very well.

“I hope everyone knows I truly believe ‘the show must go on’ and I’ve always tried to make that happen,” said Dural. “I’m feeling much better and I’m raring to go! But, my doctors want me to rest up more and build up my strength more before hitting the road again so I’m sorry to say we will need to cancel or postpone some more shows. Sorry folks. It’s been a rough few months! But, Buckwheat Zydeco will be back. Soon. And, you can take that to your best bank.”

Making sure the show does go on that evening is Columbus’ own, New Basics Brass Band who will host a full evening of jazz, New Orleans funk and groove. For more details, click HERE.