Abita Opry Media - 2004-09 featuring the Abita Strings, Jimmy Foster, Kim Carson, Keenan Knight, and Shallow Creek

MEDIA - AO2004-09

The Abita Springs Opry is a series of music concerts held six times a year and is produced by a nonprofit organization, Abita Opry Inc. The show has the mission of preserving and presenting Louisiana "Roots" music. Our music is played primarily acoustically, in its original form.

Our main thrust is old-time Country, Bluegrass, and traditional Southern Gospel music, but we often present other forms of traditional Louisiana music such as Cajun, Zydeco, Irish, or other types that reflect the many different groups of people who are part of our diverse culture.

Abita Strings

This home town bluegrass ensemble is one of the Opry's "House Band". Setting the pace for every show, the Abita Strings have taken Traditional to another level.

Jimmy Foster

Jimmy Foster has been practicing the luthier's art for over 30 years. Just as importantly, he's been playing guitar for over 35 years - a rarity among guitar builders.

Jimmy's early musical idols were artists such as Chet Atkins, Les Paul, and Tony Mottola. As his talents developed, Jimmy's taste turned toward the jazz influences of players like Howard Roberts, Johnny Smith, and George Van Eps, the legendary 7-string jazz guitar player.

An "everyday man" Jimmy loves to talk to his customers and welcomes their input into the building of their custom instrument.

Kim Carson grew up in Canyon, Texas in the high plains of the Texas panhandle and began playing music in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Carson’s music is the real deal country with influences from Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Loretta Lynn. “She’s less Diva and more Honky Tonk girl.”

Kim Carson has appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival ten times and also plays regularly at the French Quarter Fest, Louisiana Crawfish Festival, BayFest in Mobile, Alabama, the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama and many other festivals around the south and in Europe.

Keenan Knight - A Bogalusa resident who is well known among musicians in this area. Keenan mixes country, Bluegrass, and traditional Blues music. His superior playing and singing will be a treat for the ears.

Shallow Creek - High energy bluegrass featuring gospel numbers are performed by this family group. They hail from right across the State line in Picayune, Mississippi. They have played regularly around the area and have several recordings to their credit.