Ruben Ramos and Los Texmaniacs Celebrate GRAMMY Win on Star-Studded Zydeco Tribute Album

Tejano music royalty Ruben Ramos and Los Texmaniacs are celebrating a major career milestone as featured artists on the GRAMMY-winning album A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, a landmark project honoring the legendary Clifton Chenier. The album took home the award for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards during the Premiere Ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Recorded in Lafayette, Louisiana — where producers proudly say “even the crawfish got soul” — the album was released in celebration of what would have been Chenier’s 100th birthday. Known worldwide as The King of Zydeco, Chenier revolutionized the genre by blending Creole traditions with blues and rhythm & blues, bringing Zydeco music to international stages and audiences.

The GRAMMY-winning project features an extraordinary, cross-generational lineup that reads like a musical hall of fame, including The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal, Steve Earle, Augie Meyers, Ruben Ramos, Los Texmaniacs, and many more. Together, the artists pay homage to Chenier’s enduring influence while showcasing the deep cultural connections between Louisiana, Texas, and the broader roots music landscape.

Ramos — affectionately known as El Gato Negro — teamed up with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornados for the track “Ay Ai Ai,” a reimagined mid-1960s Gulf Coast regional hit originally recorded by Chenier. The collaboration stands as one of the album’s standout moments, blending Zydeco soul with Tejano swagger and conjunto grit.

For Ruben Ramos, the GRAMMY win marks his third career GRAMMY Award, further cementing his status as one of the most respected and influential voices in Tejano music. With his smooth vocals and decades-long impact on Chicano and Tejano culture, Ramos continues to represent the genre at the highest levels of the music industry.

The honor also represents a significant achievement for Los Texmaniacs, earning them their second GRAMMY win and third career nomination. The San Antonio-based group previously won Best Tejano Album at the 52nd GRAMMY Awards for Borders y Bailes and received a nomination at the 61st GRAMMY Awards for Cruzando Borders. Known for their fearless fusion of traditional conjunto with rock, blues, and roots influences, Los Texmaniacs remain one of the most innovative forces in Tejano and Americana music today.

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The tribute album also shines a spotlight on Clifton Chenier’s towering legacy. In addition to his genre-defining contributions, Chenier was honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, solidifying his place as one of Louisiana’s most important cultural ambassadors.

Ultimately, A Tribute to the King of Zydeco stands as a powerful reminder of music’s ability to bridge cultures, generations, and genres — uniting the heart of Louisiana with the soul of Texas and beyond, while celebrating the artists who continue to carry that legacy forward.

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