Abita Opry

SCHEDULE AND PERFORMERS

FALL 2010 SCHEDULE

Our performances are always on the third Saturdays in the Fall and Spring in the months of September, October, November, March, April, and May. The show is from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

September 18, 2010

Steve Anderson Group - Our September House band will get you going with some traditional country music. Steve performs in the tradition of greats like Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Steve is supplemented by other accomplished vocalists like the group's leader, Bobby Belloni, and Jan Biggs who always pleases the audience with her trademark high-spirited energetic "Jan Songs."

The Moss Pickers - These are newcomers to the Opry stage. They hail from Thibodaux, and they will kick things off with some old time bluegrass music accompanied by the traditional acoustic stringed instruments.

Melanie Rainwater and Southern Rain - This group has been well-received at our past Abita Springs Gospel Music Jubilee concerts. They will perform some traditional Southern Country Gospel favorites. This is a must-see for gospel music lovers. This is a very experienced group who has performed in many venues, and we are glad that the Abita Springs Opry will be included as one of them.

Choupique - If you are not from Louisiana, it's pronounced like "shoo pick," In case you must know, it is the name for a fish, and a small town in South Louisiana, but in this case it is a very strong Cajun music band. Choupique is rapidly becoming one of the most popular Cajun bands in Louisiana, and they are a favorite for the dancers who attend the monthly Cajun dances at the Abita Springs town hall, and they promise to bring their strong musicianship to the Opry stage.

October 16, 2010

The Petty Bones - These are veteran Opry performers. Anne and Jerry Crowell each offer great vocals. Anne's sweet voice can and has captivated Opry audiences for several years and we are proud that they are one of our regular house bands. Harvey Jones on mandolin and slide guitar with Bobby Belloni on bass, rounds out the group. They offer a variety of songs accompanied by acoustic instruments and have a lot of humorous moments.

Smokey's Farmland Band - We like to have bluegrass as a regular feature at the Opry, and we are always glad to see young musicians preserving the traditions. This is a very strong group of bluegrass musicians who will be traveling all the way from Atlanta specifically to perform on the Opry stage. We are flattered that musicians will travel that far to be on the Opry and this group will not disappoint our audience.

Wardell Williams - It should be enough to mention that Wardell Williams is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Wardell and his other band members go back to the early days of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues. He is a veteran performer from the old days when young people congregated at any of a number of dances that were held around town. It is a style of music that he and his group are keeping alive and we are proud that the Opry stage will help in that effort.

TBA Brass Band - One of the greatest musical traditions in existence is that which is still being preserved by the New Orleans brass bands. They were one of the originating elements in the evolution of jazz, and it is part of the tradition of performing at Jazz funerals where the unique New Orleans tradition of second lining originated. They promise to fill the hall with their jazzy brassy sounds. This is a don't-miss performance. Hopefully "Coolbone" will be the band.

November 20, 2010

Pot Luck String Band - This is one of our regular house bands. Van Glynn, the band's leader, is an Opry veteran. He is very knowledgeable about the music they perform and he gives some very good historical information about the songs they perform. Vocalists include Mike Myhal , Barbara Ayme, and Steve Buckholz. They play a variety in the traditional string music style including bluegrass, gospel and country music.

Olga - We have been trying to get this artist to come to the Opry for some time. She is well-versed in different music styles, and will be performing some traditional blues music for this show. Olga is a very experienced musician who is now based in New Orleans and is involved in the growing film industry in Louisiana.

Kim Carson - If you like country music, you will love Kim. She is an Opry veteran who dates back to the old Piney Woods Opry. This will be her third performance on the Abita Springs Opry. She is a highly experienced and well-traveled performer. Kim is a perennial Jazz Fest performer, and regularly performs abroad. She is a crowd pleaser, and we are glad to see her back at the Opry.

Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns - This is one of several groups of young musicians in New Orleans who began playing for tips on the streets of New Orleans. They are part of the tradition of many great musicians and music styles that grew from the streets like the tufts of grass that grow from the cracks in the sidewalks. They studied and performed traditional New Orleans music, and now are playing in clubs around town. Their style is very traditional and keeps one of the things that makes our area so very unique.

 

The Petty BonesPetty Bones

Smokey's Farmland BandSmokey's Farmland Band

Melanie Rainwater
Melanie Rainwater

Kim Carson
Kim Carson