Blues FestivalsBogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival

The Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival 2015: Another Exciting Year!

heading for bogalusa 2015The Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival was held for its fourth straight year in Bogalusa, LA on Fri., Sept. 25 – Sat., Sept. 26, 2015.

The annual event is becoming somewhat of a tradition for The Southland Music Line to attend. We absolutely love what they are doing in Bogalusa and Washington Parish, Louisiana.  An example on how a community can come together led by some skilled and innovative leadership to put something together in such a memorable and satisfying way.

20150927-SCA_7762Yonrico Scott
(drummer for Royal Southern Brotherhood;
Derek Trucks Band and Yonrico Scott Band)

As with last year, one of the most distinguishing features of the Bogalusa event at Cassidy Park was that strong community spirit behind it – from the early stages of planning by festival organizers to the cleaning up during and afterwards – i.e., the local Jr ROTC were all over the place keeping things tidy. We highlighted some of this in our 2014 article “The Community of Bogalusa, LA Shows Us How It’s Done: The Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival 2014” and I believe this year was equally impressive, if not more!

Along with the exciting schedule of music, The Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival provided its visitors with a wide array of fun things to do, including the 5K Walk/Run; multiple children and family activities; accommodating overnight camping; multiple food vendors of great food, often specializing in Louisiana cuisine; and a whole lot more!

20150927-SCA_8364Keb’ Mo’

The Music

 Once again, two stages showcased some incredible earth-stirring music – The Blues Main Stage (Fri. and Sat.) and the Heritage Stage (Sat.day only).

On Friday night, one of music’s premier blues guitarist, Tinsley Ellis, performed along with sets by Lil Red & Big Bad and Little Freddie King.

Saturday was a full day of music on both stages. The Line’s photographer Stephen Anderson was able to get photos of all the performances.

20150927-SCA_5891Beware of Bear’s Chance Casteel
One of the Highlights from The Heritage Stage

The Heritage Stage had a strong line up including some definite highlights from Beware of Bear, Remedy, Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue, Man Overboard Big Band and Tea J Moore. (See complete list and schedule below).

The Blues Stage started with Terry “Harmonica” Bean; Mia Borders and an electrifying performance from the always spectacular Johnny Sansone.

20150926-SCA_5629Terry “Harmonica” Bean

Later in the day, the great Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentleman took to the stage – it doesn’t get much better than Cleary.  He was followed by the Royal Southern Brotherhood featuring the vocals of Cyril Neville and a supergroup some of blues/rock’s finest. (Past members Mike Zito and Devon Allman performed at last year’s festival).

As the night continued, the much anticipated Keb’ Mo’ performed a lengthy and entertaining set of music, finalized by a series of encores.

20150927-SCA_8499Keb’ Mo’

This year’s music schedule:
Friday night on the Blues Stage
* Lil Red & Big Bad
* Little Freddie King
* Tinsley Ellis

Saturday on the Heritage Stage:
* Man Overboard Big Band
* Remedy
* Beware of Bear
* Tea J. Moore
* Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue
* Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers

Saturday on the Blues Stage:
* Terry “Harmonica” Bean
* Mia Borders
* Johnny Sansone
* Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentleman
* Royal Southern Brotherhood
* Keb’ Mo’

 Along with the few thousand who attended the Friday and Saturday shows, we enjoyed the music which obviously featured no shortage of new and/or established talent.

20150927-SCA_6262Johnny Sansone


FInal Thoughts

Of course, the great music, food and good times goes without saying, but also The Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival is one the most accommodating events as regards to the kindness shown to all forms of media. They provide a good example of how cooperation between an event and media can be reached with positive results. We here at “The Line” attend dozens of such events regularly (e. g. SWSW in Austin, TX; Athens Music Fest; New Orleans Jazz Fest) and the festival in Bogalusa receives the highest of marks. 

We will continue to give high praise to the community of Bogalusa, Louisiana; Washington Parish and especially all those involved (organizers and volunteers) in The Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival. We encourage all to start making plans for next year’s festival. We will definitely be back!

And if you are a community with hopes of arranging a similar event, much can be learned from the good folks of Bogalusa.

The Southland Music Line thanks everyone who made this such a wonderful experience.

20150927-SCA_7966Royal Southern Brotherhood

 

anderson bogalusa bannerClick Above for The Complete Bogalus Blues & Heritage Festival Photo Collection by Stephen Anderson (Featuring the artists from both The Heritage and Blues stages at Cassidy Park in Bogalusa, LA).


THE ARTICLE FROM 2014 (CLICK PHOTO):

Bogalusa-Blues-and-Heritage-Festival-2014
Links:
Click Here To Learn More About The Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival.
Click Here for the City of Bogalusa’s Official Website
Click Here for Tinsley Ellis’ Official Website
Click Here for Lil Red & Big Bad’s Official Website
Click Here for Little Freddie King’s Official Website
Click Here for Terry “Harmonica” Bean’s Official Website
Click Here for Mia Borders’ Official Website
Click Here for Johnny Sansone’s Official Website
Click Here for The Royal Southern Brotherhood’s Official Website
Click Here for Keb’ Mo’s Official Website
Click Here for Man Overboard Big Band’s Official Website (TBA)
Click Here for Remedy’s Official Website
Click Here for Beware of Bear’s Official Website
Click Here for Tea J. Moore’s Official Website
Click Here for Gail Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue’s Official Website
Click Here for Dwayne Dopsey & The Zydeco Hellraisers’ Official Website

 

20150927-SCA_7559Dwayne Dopsie
Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers

20150927-SCA_6437Tea J Moore

20150927-SCA_5821Mia Borders

20150927-SCA_7081Jon Cleary & The Absolute Gentleman

 

anderson bogalusa bannerClick Above for The Complete Bogalus Blues & Heritage Festival Photo Collection by Stephen Anderson (Featuring the artists from both The Heritage and Blues stages at Cassidy Park in Bogalusa, LA).

 

© The Southland Music Line. 2015. All rights reserved

©The Southland Music Line

 

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