Fall Opry Season: September, October, November
You don't want to miss this!
FALL 2016 SCHEDULE
The show is from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
September 17, 2016
The Steve Anderson Group: This is our longest lasting house band. Steve is a local self-taught musician who knows how to deliver those old-time country classics. Our house bands appear regularly at the show to set the stage and get the show going, and develop their own fan base. Steve is well loved by our audience. He is accompanied by other Opry regulars including Bobby Belloni on bass, Jan Biggs on guitar and vocals and Anne Hibbs on fiddle. Peter, Paul and Mary Review: Perhaps, there is no musician who has appeared more on our stage than Gina Forsyth. She is one of the most versatile musicians in this area, and can perform with anyone who needs a great fiddle player, singer or guitar picker. When we heard that Gina had teamed up with two other musicians to perform all the great songs performed by the great folk trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary, we immediately got in touch with the group to invite them to appear on our stage. Every once in a while, we present something a little different, but always entertaining. Folks like myself (I don’t want to say old) will have a hard time avoiding singing along. The Bagasse Boys: For those of you who don’t know, bagasse is the sugar cane fiber that is left after the juice has been squeezed out, but knowing these guys, an obvious play on words is highly suspected. This is a very entertaining group that has previously appeared on the Opry stage. They perform a style of bluegrass that goes beyond the traditional norm for that genre. We heard them recently, and were so impressed at how far they had progressed; we had to book them in. Big Easy Playboys: Zydeco is a very unique Louisiana form of music. It was invented in Acadiana north of Lafayette around Opelousas. It features elements of Cajun music and a strong blues influence. It is the contribution of the French speaking African American and Creole population of Southwest Louisiana. The hard driving and high spirited unique Louisiana music form makes listeners want to get up and dance or clap their hands, and it is always infectious. It also is a great example of the richness that diversity brings to our cultural heritage.
October 15, 2016
Chris Talley Band: This group is the latest addition to our house band lineup. Chris is a very versatile musician who knows and can surround himself with some of the finest musicians in this area. We never know what exactly Chris will bring to our stage. His versatility and exceptional skill has always given us a treat. He has performed bluegrass, country, Western Swing, and even Beatles songs with a country twang. We have decided to just trust him to bring whatever he chooses to our stage. We know it will be good and entertaining, and an audience pleaser. Slick Skillet Serenaders: This group of young musicians wowed the audience outside the festival grounds at the Abita Springs Busker Festival last April. For those of you who don’t already know, Busking is playing out on the street for tips. That is a time honored tradition in New Orleans and the buskers are some of the finest musicians in New Orleans. As an added bonus, they perform traditional music. This group is a “Jug band” which is a very catchy rhythmic bluesy style that is a lot of fun to hear. Traditionally, someone play into a jug put the bass sound into the music. Today, a tuba often serves that purpose. Rick Ledbetter: Rick and his band are returning to the Opry after a too long absence. This is strong solid Country music. Rick has a very powerful voice and is well versed in several musical genres. He also has a strong background in radio broadcast journalism. We are glad he has agreed to return to our show and will be a real audience pleaser. Messy Cookers: Traditional New Orleans Jazz has become an important part of our show, and some of the strongest performances on our stage have been delivered by some of the great Jazz bands we have had the good fortune to have here. This is a return performance by a strong group of young musicians who perform this great genre. Interestingly, our show started out featuring Country and Bluegrass music, but we discovered our audience loves New Orleans Jazz. It is also interesting to note that Country music greats like Jimmie Rodgers, the father of Country music, and Merle Haggard performed with New Orleans Jazz musicians.
November 19, 2016
Last Chance Bluegrass Band: These guys perform that good ‘ol hand clapping and foot stomping bluegrass music as well as anyone around. As one of our three house bands, they have become an important part of our Opry family and are helping us keep that part of our musical heritage alive. Western Sweethearts: Accomplished musicians can perform a variety of music styles, and this group is no exception. The band leader Matt Bell and his wife, Joy Patterson team up with other musicians to perform Jazz as the Bad Pennies Pleasure Makers, Country music as the Wasted lives, and now they will bring another style, Western Swing, to the Opry. This style is an interesting blend of country and older styles of popular music. It was made popular by people like Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Matt and joy always bring something strong to the stage and they will do the same in this configuration. Necessary Gentlemen: Is it Bluegrass? Is it Country, or is it something else? This is another very talented group of young musicians who can’t be put into a box and perform in a particular formula or style other that their interpretation of what they are playing. We heard them at the Covington Farmer’s Market and we booked them on the spot. Strong vocals and great arrangements highlight this group and we welcome them to the Opry stage. The All-Female Jazz Band: They don’t actually have a name yet. When we heard of this group, it became a must for our stage. The group was organized by Shaye Cohn. Shaye is one of the most versatile and talented musicians in New Orleans. She has performed with several groups and is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. She provides strong background leadership in the groups in which she performs. You might be familiar with her name, but musicians and people who follow New Orleans music closely are fully aware of her talents and contributions. Shaye organized this group for a specific function and is a conglomerate of members of several different groups who are all strong musicians. This will prove to be a great cap on a great season.
