After a car crash left musician Steve Nails paralyzed in 1984, he searched for a way to stay in music. Dockside Studio on the banks of the Vermilion River near Lafayette became his beyond-expectations plan B. During nearly 30 years of operation, the studio and its park-like setting has yielded eleven Grammy-winning projects. This year, Lost Bayou Ramblers’ made-at-Dockside Kalenda is nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album.

The studio’s client list includes Mavis Staples, Arca...