FALL 2013 SCHEDULE
Our performances are always on the third Saturdays in the Spring and Fall in the months of March, April, and May, September, October, November. The show is from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
September 21, 2013
Steve Anderson Group: Steve Anderson has become one of the favorite and most beloved performers on our stage. He has a very soulful sound and can interpret greats like Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers better than most performers. Steve is a life long local resident who cut his teeth on the greats and taught himself to offer masterful renditions of the country classics. He is often joined by Jan Biggs on harmonies, and she can belt them out with style.
Buffalo Death Rattle: These young people are part of the new wave of young musicians who have gravitated to New Orleans following Katrina to bring some fresh blood into the great New Orleans Music scene. These groups have studied up and perform traditional music with a lot of energy, skill and style. They know how to get into the spirit of the music. This group who performed at our Busker Festival last spring specializes in Cajun Music.
Sweet Olive String Band: If there would be an Abita Opry Hall of Fame, two of the musicians in this group would certainly be members. Pat Flory on Mandolin and Dobro is one of the originators of the Abita Opry's predecessor and role model, the Piney Woods Opry. Pat is an icon in this area among those who perform traditional Country and Bluegrass music. Gina Forsyth ranks among the best fiddle players in this state. Her virtuoso styling and amazing versatility has landed her on our stage, perhaps more than any other single musician. Her hard-driving and energetic playing is a treat for audiences. We are looking forward to hearing their latest offering.
John Eubanks and his New Orleans Jazz Quartet with Wendell Brunios, Clint Strong, and Mark Brooks: John is one of the better known musicians in the area. He was a big hit at the Landing Concert in Covington recently, and, if his level of musicianship is any indication of what he will bring to the Opry stage, we are in for a treat. Also, there is no music form that will get into your blood more that some of that great New Orleans old time Jazz.
October 19, 2013
The Petty Bones: Anne and Jerry Crowell both have their own unique style of singing, and they can also produce some great harmonies. The repertoire ranges from Jerry's humorous songs to Anne's sweet ballads and also some very soulful blues. They always bring a solid set to open the show in the middle of the season, and, like the other house bands, they set the bar for musicianship at the Opry.
Drunken Catfish Ramblers: Jug band music is an interesting blend of traditional string music and blues. It is usually played with a unique style and spirit that grabs the listener. Don't think that the name always implies that one of the musicians plays a jug. It describes the style. This group really caught the attention of our audience at one of our outdoor concerts last year. They are well traveled, and have won praises wherever they have played.
Reverend Charlie's Patent Medicine Show: This award winning group hails from central Louisiana near Alexandria. They offer a very smooth and interesting style. They have been in contact with us for some time, and we feel that they will be a great addition to our show. They perform some originals as well as familiar standards. They present an interesting form that blends bluegrass and folk music.
Jockey Etienne and the Creole Zydeco Farmers: These guys are always a treat, and they are the real deal. If you want to hear this unique Louisiana music form performed as it was originally, you want to hear this group. They have brought their great music around the world, and they love to play the Opry. Zydeco is a wonderful genre that integrates Blues and Cajun music and originated in Acadiana, in the area generally north of Lafayette. This group defines Louisiana roots music and it is a privilege to have them at the Opry.
November 16, 2013
Last Chance Bluegrass Band: our usual season close out house band, the Pot luck String Band won't be available for this performance. Bringing this group of local guys in their place was a no-brainer for our music committee. They are accomplished musicians and have appeared as guests at previous shows, and some of their members have performed with other groups. They are strong on tradition and full of personality.
Sam Doores and the Tumbleweeds: The Tumbleweeds is another group of traveling musicians. If you like pure "Honky Tonk" Country music, those "crying in your beer" songs, you will love this bunch. Sam has appeared at the Opry previously with another local group that is gaining notoriety, Hurray for the Riff Raff. We have been trying for some time to get Sam and his group booked in, and we are happy we could finally get on the same page.
Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses: This is solid New Orleans traditional Jazz. All one has to do to find out more about the Royal Roses is to look in the entertainment sections of the local newspapers. She performed at our Busker Festival last spring and wowed the audience with her virtuoso on the sax. This band is a pleasure to hear, and we are proud that they are coming to our stage.
The Zion Harmonizers: My late wife, Pat always asked to have them close out every November, and she would give me grief for a year if we did not book them for the upcoming season. We lost Pat suddenly last January, and they will perform in her honor. It is understandable why she loved these men because, besides being one of the premier Gospel groups in existence, they are great human beings. They have been singing praises for over seventy five years, and originated the Gospel tent at the Jazz Fest.
Please don’t forget that following every show, many of our musicians gather at the Abita Brew Pub to jam. Some of the best music performed on Opry nights has been at this after-the-show jam. It allows a blending of some really great musicians to play in an informal atmosphere, and some really great and unique stuff has come out of those jams.
We are proud of the success of our show, and what it has become, and we always want to share that with our audiences. We love our music and love our audiences, so please come out and become part of the wonderful experience that is the Abita Springs Opry. Y'all Come!
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 LISTEN TO PAST PERFORMANCES
Hi Opry Fans, Here we are again, ready for another season. As usual, we are always grateful for loyal fans like you who make our show possible and assure its continued success. We are always interested in feedback from you about what you see and hear at the Opry. We are open to criticism, and always ready to hear compliments.
Our continuing mission is the "Preservation and Presentation of Louisiana Roots Music." Of course, what constitutes Louisiana "roots music" is sometimes hard to define, we always want to keep it traditional while presenting an entertaining variety of music for our fans and a great environment for our musicians.
Our audience is very important to us, and our musicians always tell us that you are the best audience around. If we continue to show them the love, they will send it back to us. The energy and exchange between the musicians and the audience at the Opry is real.
The vibe that exists in that hundred plus year old building packed to the gills with a great audience listening and appreciating traditional music from some of the best musicians around gives us a musical gumbo that really cooks!
Get your tickets
If you want to get a big serving of our musical gumbo, tickets are presently on sale. We offer season packages as well as single show tickets. The season ticket holders from the previous season get first dibs, but as of August 1, they are sold on a first-come-first served basis. By the day before the show, we are usually close to selling out. We are always trying to make sure that we have as many seats as possible, and very seldom turn away folks who show up the night of the show.
If you happen to make a last minute decision to come to the Opry, The worst case scenario is the big screen closed circuit TV on our front porch. We also have outside seating available. Also keep in mind, that we have a live act on the front porch for an hour or so before the show.
For ticket information, please contact Kathy Armand at 985-892-0711. All tickets are $18. We have not raised our prices for several years, and intend to keep them at that price. Please keep in mind that the choicest seats go first. Nothing pains us more than to turn folks away because of a sell-out. We always try to find a way to get people in.
The Petty Bones
Anytime Access to the Opry
We always want to remind our fans that most of our past performances are downloaded and can be enjoyed anytime on your computer. All you have to do is visit our home page at www.abitaopry.org. Locate the words;
"LISTEN TO PAST PERFORMANCES"
click on it and the listing of downloaded shows will appear on your screen. From there, you can scroll to any show or pick out any particular act that may appeal to you and enjoy.
We provide the web service and cover the cost of video taping and provide the shows to St Tammany Parish Government access TV channel 10 and Southeastern Louisiana University, channel 18. The channels mentioned are available to Charter Cable TV subscribers in several surrounding parishes.
Our mission to "Preserve and Present Louisiana Roots Music" is taken seriously. Making the Abita Springs Opry available to as many people as possible is a way of fulfilling our mission and gives that much more exposure to these great musicians. We have a valuable musical cultural tradition, and it is worth keeping alive.
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