Cajun Award Recipients

James “Jim” Braud

James (Jim) Braud was from Beaumont, Texas. However, Jim’s extended family was from Thibodeaux Louisiana from which Jim embraced his Cajun heritage. After serving in the Army in WWII, he attended the University of Houston and graduated with a degree in Photography and minor in Art. Jim was married in 1951 and settled down in Port Neches where he worked at a local refinery as plant photographer and also opened Braud Camera Company in downtown Port Neches. After attending the 1965 Crawfish Celebration in Breaux Bridge Louisiana, Jim and others worked to bring a similar event to Port Neches. In 1966, the first Crawfish Festival in Port Neches was held where, among many other events, Jim Braud, AJ Judice and Buddy Porter put on Texas’s first Crawfish Races. This was headline news to which Texas Governor Preston Smith appointed Jim Braud, AJ Judice and Buddy Porter “Honorary Crawfish Racing Commissioners” of Texas. From there Crawfish Racing was never the same. Jim passed away in 2002, but promoted the Cajun heritage with a deep passion. His family still carries on his traditions.


Esther Benoit

Esther Benoit remembers as a young girl that food always played a major role in her family. Whether just a small family function, or huge gatherings, her Cajun heritage “seasoned” every dish. She moved to Port Arthur at the age of 6 years old from Lafayette, Louisiana. She married John Benoit in 1958. Together, they have a saying…”Cajun people were put on this earth to feed people.” And in 1987, they floated a restaurant from Cameron, Louisiana to the foot of the Rainbow Bridge in Port Arthur. Whether making gumbo for anyone wanting it, or bringing her signature Cajun Cake to celebrate someone’s birthday, Esther considers it a blessing to be able to continue to spread the Cajun culture. She’s been honored with many “Best Restaurant” and “Best Gumbo” awards, along with many articles published in Texas Monthly, Southern Living, Coastal Living. Esther continues, through her family, to spread the word about how blessed the Cajun culture continues to be, and will always strive to promote the beauty and the history of the Cajun way of life.


Charles Michael “Mike” Burch

At 5 years old, Mike Burch from Tyler Texas, knew that the drums would be his future. At a very early age, Mike was drawn to the rhythmic sounds of his music heroes…Ronnie Tut from Elvis’ TCB Band, and Neil Peart from Rush. He enjoyed regional success with the band River Road for 10+ years. But Mike admits that his true passion for the drums, and music in general didn’t kick in until he signed with Wayne Toups and Zydecajun. Mike’s love for the drums, coupled along with his dedication to Cajun music and culture, allows him to really “drive” what is normally a flat sound in traditional music, to the multi-dimensional sound that you hear from Zydecajun. And he’s been doing that for some 35 years now with Wayne Toups and Zydecajun. When Mike isn’t on the bandstand, he’s promoting and inspiring, not only other drummers, but countless Cajun performers and band members. Many times, backing musicians aren’t recognized for their leadership. But in the case of Mike Burch, his focus, work ethic, and dedication to Cajun culture has earned him the spotlight in receiving the 2023 Texas Rice Festival Cajun Award.


Emmett Hollier

Though he grew up in Groves and graduated in the class of 1979 from PNG High School, Emmett now resides in Nederland for the last 30 years. He’s been employed with Enbridge (a Natural Gas Pipeline company) in Houston for over 33 years. He’s a father to two children, daughter JoLynn and husband Donathan Warner & son Jake and wife Kourtney Hollier. He is a proud Paw Paw to his two beautiful granddaughters, Peyton & Grace. Emmett enjoys family time, riding his motorcycle, hanging out with friends, politics, and spending time with the organizations he is involved in. On top of being the President/Founder of Southeast Texas Circle of Hope, Emmett is also very active in the Patriot Guard Riders – Golden Triangle and participated in the Run for The Wall® in 2018, recognizing and bringing awareness to the sacrifices and contributions made by ALL VETERANS who have served our nation.

Some of Emmett’s accomplishments:

Clubs/Organizations:

  • Past Board Member – Texaco Credit Union
  • Past President/Coach Nederland North Little League
  • Past President/Coach Mid-County Pop Warner Football
  • Past President/Coach Nederland Babe Ruth
  • Past member of the Nederland City Council
  • Very active in local politics
  • Member of St. Charles Catholic Church
  • Member of the Knights of Columbus
  • Member of the ACTS program in Nederland

Awards/Recognitions:

  • Recipient – KFDM’s Pay It Forward program (2013)
  • Recipient – KFDM’s Hometown Heroes (2015)
  • Recipient – Community Builder Award from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas (2015)
  • Emmett was named Mr. Nederland in 2017
  • Recipient – Port Arthur Sertoma Club’s Service to Mankind Award (2019)
  • Recipient of Enbridge’s – Theopolis Holeman Safety Award (2021)

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