Robin Barnes and Rusty Metoyer on What Connects Louisianians

Lake Charles native Rusty Metoyer and New Orleans singer Robin Barnes connect Southeast and Southwest Louisiana through music, food and family history in this episode of Louisiana's Playground.

Robin Barnes' Louisiana Love album and Discovering Home video series bring the two artists together to explore the culture, traditions and connections that run across the state. Barnes scrapped a finished debut album after a tumor scare made her realize she might not get to pass nine generations of Louisiana family history to her daughters. What she built instead is Louisiana Love, a 14-track record tracing her Creole, Cajun, Zydeco and New Orleans roots, with a who's who of Louisiana artists she reached out to as a fan.

Lake Charles native Rusty Metoyer, who carries on the Creole music tradition his grandfathers kept alive, is one of those artists. In this episode, Brady Renard and Jillian Corder sit down with both musicians to talk about how the collaboration came together, the double meaning behind their duet "Don't Let Go," and Discovering Home, Robin's companion video series that brings her to Lake Charles to learn trail rides, boudin and a part of Louisiana she thought she already knew.

It's a conversation about authenticity, family and preservation, and why the food and music of Louisiana connect a state that likes to joke it's really several states in one.

Before the interview, Brady and Jillian visit Pitt Grill for Envie Eats, a classic Lake Charles diner open since 1972, for gumbo, a breakfast po' boy, the egg bowl and a pork fricassee plate lunch with homemade banana pudding.

Keep up with hosts Brady Renard on Twitter, @RenardSports and Jillian Corder on Facebook, @JillianCorderKPLC.