First of all, I would like to say thanks again to all the great people of BATON ROUGE for your wonderful hospitality during the INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CELEBRATION April 5th. To my friend and employer, HENRY TURNER, JR., who did such a terrific job producing the LOUISIANA HERITAGE MUSIC STAGE; MONIKA OLIVER, President of the BATON ROUGE CENTER FOR WORLD AFFAIRS which presented the event; RASHIDA, the Louisiana Stage Manager; my buddies and brothers RONNIE HOUSON and JAMES TURNER, the fabulous drummer and bassist for the FLAVOR band; SCOTT; RAS WAYNE; NUKIE MILLER; LIL FALLAY; JONATHAN "BOGGIE" LONG; DUSTY LIGHTFOOT and JOHN; KING SOLOMON; JACK KELLY; CATHY, PAM, and JOY and my friends from the BATON ROUGE BLUES SOCIETY -- it was such a pleasure to finally meet you in person! And to DIAMOND, the lady who fed us the best Louisiana style red beans & rice and fried chicken I've ever tasted; and to all my new found friends and family in BATON ROUGE, you are fantastic and I had a blast!

I can't wait to visit you again!

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THE 12th. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE CELEBRATION, 2009
By
Joan Turner

(Published in BLUES BLAST, April 16, 2009)

On Sunday, April 5, 2009, Baton Rouge, Louisiana hosted the 12th. Annual International Heritage Celebration. Presented by the Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs, the event is designed to bring the community closer together by highlighting its rich muli-cultural makeup with music, food, dance, storytelling and educational booths from many countries.

One of the most colorful and interesting features of the celebration this year was the Parade of Nations. With bagpipers leading the way, Mayor – President Melvin "Kip" Holden led country representatives as they marched dressed in native costumes and presenting their countries' flags.

The free event highlighted entertainment on three stages, the International Music Stage, the International Dance Stage and the Louisiana Heritage Music Stage.

Under the capable direction of producer and Baton Rouge music industry leader Henry Turner, Jr., the Louisiana Heritage Music Stage provided a rich variety of talent from many musical genres across the state, including Cajun, gospel, rock, jazz, reggae, funk, Native American and blues. Outstanding performers included Lori Kates, Briggs Brown and Bayou Cajuns, Jonathan Long and the Baton Rouge Soul Explosion, Wonton Lust, Lil Fallay, the Herman Jackson Trio, Nukie, Step Child, King Solomon, the GreyHawk Band, Henry Turner, Jr. & Flavor, Gordon Nurse and the Steel Drummer/Island Band. Of special interest was a performance by the Mystic Belly Dancers, a Tahitian dance group from Corpus Christi, Texas. Other fun events included a children's and adult's limbo contest.

In a city known as the "Blues Music Capital of Louisiana" that has produced such legendary artists as Slim Harpo, Buddy Guy, Henry Gray, Raful Neal, Tabby Thomas and his son, Grammy Award-winning super star Chris Thomas King, great blues performances are expected on such occasions, and blues lovers at the International Heritage Celebration were not disappointed.

Veteran blues artist and former Malaco Records star King Solomon and his band turned in an outstanding performance. Solomon, born Johny B. Willis, is a master bassist, a writer, singer, producer, and performer who has toured throughout the United States and in several European countries. He now owns his own Knapp Town Sound label and his album Blues Take One is currently available.

Nukie, an exciting new star on the Baton Rouge blues and soul scene, thrilled fans as she belted out her songs like a young Aretha Franklin. Her sultry voice and warm Southern charm is a winning combination. Nukie, born Dekisha Miller, is a powerful performer with vibrant talent and a unique style all her own. Her new singles are available from Hit City Records.

Jonathan "Boogie" Long, a gifted young songwriter and blues artist, thrilled fans with his dynamic performance. Jonathan and his band, the Baton Rouge Soul Explosion, recently represented the Baton Rouge Blues Society in the 2009 International Blues Competition in Memphis. Picked by B. B. King's Blues Club to perform at The New Daisy Theater for the title of King of Beale Street, Jonathan sang his way to second place and a $500.00 cash prize. His debut album is coming soon and his own composition "Blues Revolution" is a hit in the making.

Lil Fallay, Chris Andrus, a finalist for Southern Soul Male Artist of the Year, 2009, rocked the stage with his charismatic and exciting performance. He brought festival goers to their feet when he introduced his new dance sensation the "Zydefunk Slide." A polished and professional artist with a string of hit albums, including Dreams Do Come True, Taste Me, and Follow My Lead, Fallay thrilled listeners with songs like "A Mother's Love," and "L-O-V-E under Arrest."

The 2009 International Heritage Celebration was an outstanding event that spotlighted the diversity and hospitality of Baton Rouge and the remarkable array of talent the city and state have to offer. Plans are already underway to make next year's festival even more memorable.

For more information:
http://www.brcwa...com
http://www.myspace...com/ihclouisiana..stage

 Greeting friends, family, fans, and whoever else may be getting’ this, here blog.   Hope all is well with all you guys.  For old folks, we bit off a lot for this week, here goes:  Thursday, 3/26, I will do an acoustic show at Daiquiris & Co. on HYW 61 in Gonzales, LA. 9PM.  Friday night, we do the band thing at Phil Brady’s, with The Bedlamville Trifters opening the show at 9PM.  With Phil Guay on bass and Randy Scott on drums, there will be lock down moments of, yea baby!!!!!   Saturday afternoon and evening, da’ band and Susan and I are headed over to Hattiesburg to play at Walnut Circle Grill (an uptown, top shelf venue/restaurant)  Then, come Sunday morning, I’ll be right back in Prairieville, LA at Gio’s  Mezza Luna.  I have started playing there every Sunday 11:30AM-2:30PM for Jazz & Blues Buffet.  For directions and menu see www.giosmezzaluna.com  Check this place out people, it’s beautiful and delicious.  Peace to all and God Bless.    Kenny

Photo: 
 
We are very sad to learn that pianist  .. Eddie Bo,
one of New Orleans' greatest and most beloved performers, passed on
Wednesday, March 18 at the age of 78. His legacy is profound, and he was
considered the last of the "junker"-style pianists, fusing jazz, R&B, funk,
soul, and blues seasoned with New Orleans flavor.

Edwin Joseph Bocage got his start in 1955 on the Ace Records label, and by
1961 he had his first hit, the novelty dance tune "Check Mr. Popeye." He
went on to release more singles than any New Orleans artist except Fats
Domino, including "Check Your Bucket" and his signature "Hook and Sling,"
which made it to #13 on the R&B chart in 1969.

Eddie Bo was more than just an entertainer, penning "My Dearest Darling" for
Etta James and producing albums for the likes of Art Neville, Irma Thomas,
and Johnny Adams. He even lent his carpentry skills - by which he sustained
a living through much of the 1970s - to build a studio for the Ric label,
just one of over 40 labels he worked with over the years. 

He amassed an impressive collection of awards and honors, including a pair
of Lifetime Acheivement Awards from the South Louisiana Music Association
and the title of New Orleans musical ambassador to Pakistan.

Funeral arrangements are still pending, so check back soon for information
regarding memorial services for this legendary New Orleans treasure.

photo: www.daylife.com

 

Damon Fowler Group
Website: http://www.damonfowler.com
Tampa Florida
Excellent young blues guitarist.
Rick Derringer Quote: "He is the best young blues player I've seen in the past 20 years"

Herm - ElectricBlues.com
Baton Rouge come and check this band out especially if you like slide guitar!
Pam Linton