yall save me a dance! The Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival is thrilled to announce a 2014 lineup that will grace the Main Stage in beautiful Cassidy Park not only all day Saturday, Sept. 27, but will also have audiences howling at the moon and dancing under the stars the prior Friday night. In its third year, BBHF has assembled a slate of splendid soulful performers that will give voice to a wide, and deep, range of blues styles. From 5 p.m. Friday to about 10 p.m. Saturday, we will shine our spotlight on nine acts, most of them multiple major award winners, who range from noted grand masters to youthful musicians with Blues in their blood. The BBHF III headliner, J.J. Grey & Mofro, will take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday and close the fest in a powerful, passionate fury of down-home Southern funk. Known for a grimy blend of front porch soul, roots-deep story telling and laying-it-on-the-line shows that move audiences to dance and, sometimes, to tears, this band is at the height of its game and acclaim. Grey has a past that provides abundant material and countless characters who struggle and triumph through his music. Now hes dropped his fighters stance to let the songs and stories flow through him, creating themselves and finding outlet via the man whos connected to the singing southern soil in all its gritty glory. And that band will have to take whats left of the stage after smoking hot Ruthie Foster burns it down with her combustible blend of blues, soul, rock, folk and gospel. Foster has been compared to Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt, but she remains true to her self. She testifies powerfully with a dripping, soulful voice, through passionate song writing and with bold, transformational takes on some of musics finest classics. Before that, an increasingly familiar face and sound, with exceedingly familiar musical blood flowing through his veins, will brighten and enliven the 4:30 p.m. shift. Devon Allman, son of Gregg and nephew of Duane, has gained growing acclaim as a singer, songwriter and guitar master with the blues/rock super group Royal Southern Brotherhood and as a solo artist known for his powerful voice and experimental blues stylings. Allman will treat the BBHF audience to a healthy serving of second-generation music royalty. Another member of the Brotherhood, Mike Zito, will bring his stinging electric slide guitar and blistering, raspy vocals to Bogalusa in the 2:45 p.m. time slot. The Brother, who combines Texas blues roots with the signature flavor of New Orleans, got through drug abuse with the guidance of BBHF II alum Walter Trout. He knows pain and he knows how to make it feel better, celebrating his redemption through music. Before that, Johnny Sansone, a New Orleans roots music pioneer and member of the all-star Voice of the Wetlands group who is known for incendiary harmonica and accordion work, will fill Cassidy Park with his energetic, larger than life musical presence. And hell sweeten the experience by bringing along Mardi Gras Indians Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Honey Banister and Kerry Vessel as his guests. The performances Saturday will start at noon with 81-year-old Blues legend Big George Brock who will root the scene and set the pace in traditional style with his gritty, wailing harmonica and raw, passionate voice. The longtime music man who was born in the Mississippi Delta before heading to St. Louis specializes in what he calls “true blues.” And this year, by popular demand, the BBHF will expand to include Friday evening when headliner Paul Thorn, an audience favorite from last year, will bring his engaging saint and sinner mix back to Bogalusa. Thorn is the son of a Pentecostal minister and nephew of a pimp, a former pro boxer and an acclaimed singer/songwriter who brings his musical stories to life in a muscular brand of rocking roots Blues. He was a hit last year, and he earned the task of closing the fest with a flourish on Friday. By the time Thorn takes the stage at 8 p.m., the crowd should be roused and ready. New Orleans music icon Walter “Wolfman” Washington, who is widely acclaimed for soulful vocals and searing guitar work that are credited with helping to define the Crescent Citys unique musical hybrid, is sure to have everybody howling at the moon. Big Daddy O, aka Owen Tufts, has been given the important task of starting Friday night and the BBHF weekend off strong. And the popular roadhouse, festival and recording artist, whose authentic inviting voice, engaging guitar work and Southeast Louisiana Blues style is a well known attraction, is sure to do just that. Big Daddy O will open BBHF III at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. The festival’s Heritage Stage lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:02:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015