2018 Performers

Eddie Money was born Edward Joseph Mahoney on March 21, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York. Although he dreamed of being a musician, after high school, Eddie decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer.

In 1968, after serving as a New York City Police Officer for two years, Money put his law enforcement career on hold to pursue music. He moved to Berkeley, California and began performing at local clubs. Then, in 1976, after changing his surname from Mahoney to Money, Eddie’s fate changed when he was introduced to legendary promoter Bill Graham while performing at one of Graham’s events. The two quickly became close, with Graham serving as both a mentor and manager to Money. Said Graham of Money, “Eddie Money has it all…not only can he sing, write and play, but he is a natural performer.”

After signing a recording contract with Columbia Records, Money burst onto the scene with his eponymous debut album in 1977. Fans immediately fell in love with Money’s sound, and the album, which went double platinum, featured hits like “Baby Hold On” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” Money followed the success of his debut album with a stream of Top 40 hits, as well as some of the era’s most creative videos for songs like “Think I’m in Love” and “Shakin.” In 1986, Money released Can’t Hold Back, which featured the classic, Grammy-Nominated duet with Ronnie Spector, “Take Me Home Tonight.” The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album went platinum and also featured the hit “I Wanna Go Back.”

These days, Money continues to delight new and old fans alike at venues throughout the country. Having opened the summer concert season at the famous DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit for nearly 20 years, Money draws fans from all over who are eager to see the legendary musician. Ask any concert attendee and they’ll tell you he retains his signature style and performs with the same passion today as he did more than 30 years ago.

In September of 2016 Eddie Money appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Where are they Now”, highlighting his career and TV show (in-production) focusing on his family life. Eddie will perform as part of iHeart Radio’s “iHeart80’s” concert taking place in San Jose, CA in January 2017. Last year’s live show included 13,000 attendees, 642 million social media impressions and was promoted in a nationwide campaign across 250+mainstream AC, HOT AC, CHR and Classic Hits Stations as well as a TV broadcast by AT&T Entertainment.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason has been performing live shows for more than 50 years. Music is Dave’s passion and desire, and 2018 marks a new year in his musical journey. With that in mind, he has prepared a new live show entitled, “The Very Best Of Dave Mason”, which promises to live up to its title.

This new, live show will enhance the popular 2017 Public Television filmed live concert and feature some of Dave’s most beloved songs like “All Along The Watchtower”, “Only You Know and I Know,” “Every Woman”, and “We Just Disagree” plus the rock anthem “Feelin’ Alright”. The audience will also delight in some deeper tracks from Dave’s albums as well as some of his most favorite songs that have shaped his illustrious career. In addition, Dave will share photos and first hand accounts of rock stories that can only be told by the man who has walked in his shoes.

Best known for his soulful voice and unsurpassed guitar playing, Dave was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a founding member of the group Traffic, and continues performing as a solo artist with sold-out shows all over the world. His career spans several important rock eras, and encompasses his work as a producer, performer, songwriter, and consummate guitarist. A quintessential ‘Artiste’, Dave has collaborated with numerous members of the music elite, including Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, among many others.

When your surname is synonymous with one of the most revered forebears of seminal Southern Rock as well as archetypical Americana, it’s incumbent on you to honor that legacy and the music on which it was built. It’s little wonder then that Devon Allman, son of the late Gregg Allman and an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist in his own right, should opt to launch a new band along with a series of high profile performances, the latest chapters in an already storied solo career.

Allman, the former lynchpin behind such bands as the Royal Southern Brotherhood and Honeytribe, has assembled The Devon Allman Project, a sixpiece ensemble featuring a percussionist/multi instrumentalist, a Hammond B3 player, and an additional guitarist.

The kick-off with special guest Duane Betts at the Fillmore show on December 8th will feature appearances by Luther and Cody Dickinson (of North Mississippi All-Stars), Peter Levin (Gregg Allman Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, CSN, Doobie’s etc.), Samantha Fish, Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, Hank Williams Jr.) and Bobby Whitlock (Derek & The Dominos, Dr. John, Rolling Stones etc.) and longtime Gregg Allman keyboardist, Peter Levin, will act as the musical director. Other artists tba.

Coming off a series of prestigious appearances — an all-star tribute to his father and Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks at the Allmans’ own Peachfest, a special celebration at the Grammy Museum in L.A., an emotional return to his father’s hometown, Macon Georgia, where he accepted the key to the city on the elder Allman’s behalf, and an upcoming event at the Americana Music Fest featuring Buddy Miller, Joan Osborne, and John Paul White — The Devon Allman Project will kick off their 2018 tour with an upcoming show on December 8th at the iconic Fillmore in San Francisco.

In addition to a several other shows taking place at in the early months of 2018, the group headlines the Florida Jazz & Blues Jam in Boca Raton Florida on January 27th, appearing alongside the festival’s other star attractions — Dr. John, Walter Trout and Marcia Ball, among them.

Duane Betts, son of Allman Brothers co-founder Dicky Betts will join the Devon Allman Project as a special guest from March through September for a full-blown international tour. “It’s such an amazing thrill to have Duane joining us for these upcoming dates,” Allman enthused. “In many ways, it brings us both full circle. “In most markets 1-2 special guests will join the band creating a unique jam culminating in an encore that includes Allman Brothers songs among other classics. “We share an incredible legacy, and it’s truly an honor to renew that bond our dads created to a new generation of their admirers and those that have loved the music we’ve made on our own. Having an Allman and a Betts playing together once again will surely make my father smile down at me from above.”

A series of lengthy accomplishments have entitled Devon to take his own place in the Southern Rock pantheon. His remarkable resume spans almost two decades, from his post-millennial breakout with Honeytribe, and the widely revered super group Royal Southern Brotherhood. Devon has also had occasion to jam with the greats such as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Mr. Les Paul, Keith Urban, Gov’t Mule and Lynyrd Skynyrd just to name a few. Through his run of successful solo albums, “Turquoise” was highly regarded by USA Today, “Turquoise is reflective and soulful” while “Ride or Die” hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Devon is also a contributing writer to Guitar Player Magazine as wll as serving on the Board of Directors for the National Blues Museum in St. Louis, Missouri.

Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band is undeniably “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman.” Born on July 1, 1967 in Churchpoint, Louisiana, Chubby is the third generation of zydeco artists with such famous relatives as Roy Carrier (father), Warren Carrier (grandfather), and cousins Bebe and Calvin Carrier who are presently considered legends in zydeco history.

Chubby began his musical career at the age of 12 by playing drums with his father’s band. He began playing the accordion at the age of 15. By age 17, Chubby had begun to play with Terrance Siemien and toured the world for 2 1/2 years, before forming his own band in 1989.

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band have recorded ten CDs over the past 22 years of Chubby’s professional career. His band has traveled all over the world, performing to audiences in all parts of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada. North Africa and Europe. Chubby and the band travel 150-175 days a year, taking his act to big festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Chicago Blues Fest. Summerfest (Milwaukee), Memphis in May, and several festivals in Europe. Chubby has also done guest appearances on recordings for Tab Benoit, 6Was9, and Jimmy Thackery. Ann Wilson of the group Heart encourages Chubby to “continue the great sound that you have. This sound will take you places.”

The CHAMBERS BROTHERS at the Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Music Festival

If you are alive and breathing you have heard the Chambers Brothers classic hit “Time Has Come Today”. It has been used in over 100 films, commercials and television shows. This iconic song fits all generations. It is always relevant, and that is why it continues to be heard. The Chambers Brothers grew up singing gospel and later mastered Rock, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, Psychedelic and Funk. What sets them apart from other groups is their harmony, developed from when they were sharecropper children singing while they worked the fields in Mississippi. They would check their harmony by listening to their songs echoing back across the hills. That is quite an image.

They moved from Mississippi to Los Angeles and began performing in clubs like the Ash Grove and touring the Newport and other festivals with Barbara Dane. The Chambers Brothers were the first group to bring gospel into night clubs and were chastised for that by Mahalia Jackson. Today Gospel Sundays are a staple in many clubs around the country. They put on the first concert that integrated the “Whites Only” Valley Park during the height of racial tensions in the early 70’s in Columbia South Carolina. They walked and sang us through tumultuous times. Their pristine harmony made for audience grabbing performances, including the Atlanta Pop Festival before several hundred thousand people. This quote sums up the power of a Chambers Brothers performance. “I don’t care where you put me on the bill, just don’t put me after the Chambers Brothers”, … Janis Joplin.

The Chambers Brothers take command of the audience from the first notes of People Get Ready and they hold their audience all night. They will bring their charismatic act to the Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Music Festival and at the end of their set the audience will get to hear the tick tock of the cowbell, that launches the rousing live performance of the one and only “Time Has Come Today”. People… You’d Better Get ready!!

Photo: Sherri Rayn Barnett at the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena.

Since beginning in 1995, Lisa Haley & the Zydekats are today the world’s most joyful Americana/Cajun/Zydeco band.

She is charted three times on Billboard, and nominated for the GRAMMY®

With eight albums including newest, “Joy Ride,” Lisa’s original tunes and Louisiana Bayou, Jazz, French Celtic, and R&B rhythms represent Zydeco for Sir George Martin’s film “Rhythm of Life,” American Music Abroad, Hollywood Bowl Summersounds, GRAMMY ® Museum, and festivals in over 20 countries.

This fourth-generation fiddler, dancer and three-octive vocalist is an adventure sure to make us laugh, cry… and above all, DANCE!

Among her fans are Keb’Mo’ and Little Richard.

Dennis G & the Zydeco Trail Riderz is one of the newer Zydeco groups to come on the Southern California Cajun & Zydeco scene. Its members include Dennis Gurwell on accordions and vocals, Steve Guillory on guitar and vocals, Gary Sprewell on bass and vocals, Art Perez on drums and vocals, and Jeremy Hart on rub board. Several of the band members have been active in the Southern California Louisiana-based music scene for many years and have played with such local groups as Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, T-Lou & His L.A. Zydeco Band, Bonne Musique Zydeco, Bennie & the Swamp Gators, and David Sousa & the Zydeco Mud Bugs. In addition some members of the band have played with Lousiana Zydeco artists such as Willis Prudhomme, JoJo Reed, Andre Thierry, and Dwight Carrier. Besides Zydeco, some members of the band have played with bands and artists outside of the Zydeco field including Barry White, Ray Charles, The Ink Spots, Johnny Otis, Etta James, Papa John Creach, and Pete Anderson (producer and guitarist for Dwight Yoakum). The Trail Riderz’ intent is to focus on the more traditional aspects of Zydeco music, with some nods to Cajun, Swamp Pop, and New Orleans music styles. And of course, the main goal is to entertain and keep our audiences on their feet and dancing!

Lightnin’ Willie was born Willie Hermes in Texas, United States. In his early twenties, Hermes performed on the Southern Chitlin’ Circuit, as the sole white member in a rhythm and blues/funk-based band. His guitar playing was inspired by T-Bone Walker, Albert King, and B.B. King, plus Muddy Waters, whom Hermes saw perform on numerous occasions and was introduced to. He formed his backing outfit, the Poorboys, in the early 1990s, and has continued to tour, perform and record to the present day.

His debut album was released by 145 Records in 1994. The follow-up, American Made, was not issued until 1998, by which time a change in backing personnel had occured. The album also featured guest appearances by the Irish harmonica player, Hurricane Jake Fitzgerald, plus Mississippi Slim, Billy Watts, and Edward Tree. The new Poorboys included Pete Anderson, Skip Edwards, and Taras Prodaniuk. Tree produced the collection and Willie wrote all but one of the 12 tracks.

Further albums were issued including Buy American (2000), Lucky as the Devil (2001) and the live album, Got it Live If You Want It! (2004). The albums were supported by touring, including appearances at festivals such as the Edinburgh Blues Festival, Stanley Blues Festival, Maryport Blues Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, Zottergem Blues Festival (Belgium), Bardies Festival (France), Portland’s Riverfront Blues Festival, and the Gray Sky Blues Festival (2016). Photographs were taken of Lightnin’ Willie performing with the Poorboys at the Brecon Jazz Festival, in Powys, Wales.[3] In addition, the band played in the “Ignite Series” at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and at Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic in Fort Worth, Texas in 2005, where they appeared alongside Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, The Doobie Brothers, Leon Russell and Robert Cray.

By this time, Lightnin’ Willie had become an accomplished and hard-working guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, and was based in Los Angeles, California. Lightnin’ Willie’s original music has been included in soundtracks for television series/programs such as Whatever It Takes, 1-800-Missing, The L Word, and Mysterious Ways; and for film soundtracks including Route 666 (2001) and The Final Cut (2004).

Their next recording, 2008’s Roadworks Tour was recorded at the end of their tour in Europe in that year, which finished in Nottingham, England. The band was also an International Blues Challenge finalist. At the Topanga Canyon Blues Festival in 2012, some of the acts that appeared at the festival were Jimmy Johnson, Chris James and Patrick Rynn, and Lightnin’ Willie & the Poorboys. By now the Poorboys were self-billed as “the Biggest Little Band on Earth”, and consisted of Lightnin’ Willie on guitar and vocals, plus Michael Murphy on keyboards, Skip Edwards on keyboards and accordion, Jesper Kristensen or Jerry Olsen on drums, with Ron Dzubla playing saxophone.

Pete Anderson produced their latest album No Black No White Just Blues (2017). One critic noted that the album contained the track, “Note On My Door”, which “has a late-night Chicago club tone, probably influenced from his time hanging out with Muddy Waters some years ago”.

Three blues divas take the stage together for a set of rockin’ blues and rootsy soul music, backed by some of the best musicans in the business. Deb Ryder, Shari Puorto and Kelly Z are three sista’s who share a love for powerful vocals and an appreciation for each other’s original songs.

Deb Ryder
2016 and 2017 Grammy Ballot for Best Contemporary Blues Album and Blues Blast Music Award Nominee – Sean Costello Rising Star Award

Born just outside Chicago, Deb began appearing on stage at an early age at her step father’s famous nightclub the Topanga Corral, opening for such legends as Etta James, Big Joe Turner and Taj Mahal. Deb’s vocals have been described as powerful, whiskey soaked, a force of nature, reminiscent of her major influences, Koko Taylor and Etta James. Her stage presence is captivating! She takes you on a sonic journey of pure energy, serving up a savory blend of R&B, soul, and roots based blues that have garnered rave reviews and sustained chart topping acclaim throughout the U.S, Canada and Europe. Deb writes all her own material with lyrics that paint a personal and gritty picture of life and love that lead you from the very heights to the depths of the blues With her signature arrangements and impeccable songwriting, you can expect her to continue to imprint her indelible mark on the blues world now and in the future.

“Her vocal ability puts her among those great female blues singers that preceded her. There is no reason why she shouldn’t ascend to the higher ranks of the blues elite!” GREG ” BLUESDOG” SZALONY – BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE

“Glorious vocals from Deb Ryder, her performance an amazing treat from start to finish, and well worthy of your attention” GRAHAM RHODES – BLUES IN THE NORTHWEST

“This is an artist that deftly combines polished musicianship with a deep respect for blues tradition. Deb Ryder deserves a spot on every blues fans radar.” – JON KLIENMAN – LIVING BLUES MAGAZINE

“Turn her all the way up and have some oxygen or an ambulance at the ready. Whew!” – MIDWEST RECORD

Shari Puorto
Shari Puorto is an award-winning singer/songwriter, who has been Pre-nominated by the Grammy committee in 3 categories and up for nomination for the 59th (2017) Grammy’s, Winner for her song ‘Free’ in the Americana Blues, Roots song of the year category @ the 2011 L.A. Music Awards, & won Best Female vocalist at the 2010 South Bay Music Awards. You would think Shari’s been doing this forever. She has the sensibility of an old soul reborn and is undeniably passionate. She possesses a deeply expressive and soulful voice; one that catches you off guard. She is a powerful and dynamic live performer who quickly and quite naturally connects with her audience. She has been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin (due to her performances), Bonnie Raitt, and Bonnie Bramlet, due to vocal tone / ability and control. Her infectious enthusiasm overcomes you, you have no choice but to get pulled in. (She’s likely to steal your heart if you get too close!)

“Shari has always provided an honest and powerful musical experience that strikes at the core of what music is all about. Great energy, original material, a true group performance, and a talent that reaches off the stage to touch the audience.” Joe Wagoner AKG/Harmon.

“It’s my belief that women singers will be compared to her. Her chops are silky smooth, or gritty depending on the song; but they are always filled with soul. Her emotion is flat out in your face and there may be precious few that can do it better.” John Porter, Time for the Blues

Kelly Z
Kelly Z is the lead singer and songwriter for the band Kelly’s Lot. Her music weaves a variety of Americana styles on a Blues and Rhythm foundation. In 21 years Kelly and her band have released 13 CDs including a live album recorded in Brussels, Belgium. Since 1995 this Los Angeles based band has toured nationally and internationally, played and hosted countless charity events and had their music featured in television and film. The energy Kelly brings to the stage is contagious and energizes any audience. Her songs shoot straight to the heart of anyone who has ever cared about life or love and will bring a smile to anyone with a sense of humor. Kelly’s Lot has played at The Simi Cajun Blues Festival the last 2 years and returns this time with a couple friends to serve it up HOT!

“What do Taylor Swift, Adele, Madonna, and Southern California native Kelly Zirbes, of the band Kelly’s Lot, have in common? They’re all female dynamo singers who are the main showcases of their respective bands. In time, these first three have ascended the pop charts to become some of the country’s best household names. Hopefully the fourth will as well, in the dual arenas of R&B and straight blues.” – Blues Blast Magazine

“Lead by the gloriously rough and ready vocals of Kelly Z, the band performs sizzling and stomping originals, coming across like the best alternative to Tedeschi-Trucks with a dash of Bonnie Raitt, with Kelly Z using delivery, power and timing like Mariano Rivera as she belted out the blues served on a dry rub platter. YUM!…” – Jazz Weekly

3 Sista Blues will be performing on the blues stage on Sunday, May 27th.

Bo Dollis, Jr.’s entire life has been shaped and spurred by Mardi Gras Indian culture. He masked for the first time at the age of ten, though his parents, Big Queen Laurita Dollis and the late Bo Dollis, Sr., Big Chief of The Wild Magnolias, wanted him to wait a few more years before he participated fully. Detern1ined to mask, Bo Jr. managed to get his mother’s attention in that regard when he destroyed one of her beaded purses and started sewing on his own. No one could hold him back after that bold and decisive move, and young Bo took his first steps towards becoming a Big Chief.

Bo took on the title of of Big Chief 2006, and assumed leadership of The Wild Magnolias in 2012 at the behest of his father. Bo Jr. has masked and perfor1ned with the band throughout most of his life, in venues all over New Orleans including Tipitina’s and the House of Blues, and at n1ultiple Jazz Fests. He and the band played the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as at The White House in 2011 for President Obama when Bo Dollis, Sr., was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.

The Wild Magnolias have been honored to share the stage with various luminaries over the years, including Cyril Neville, Dr. John, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Galactic, Rockin’ Dopsie, Marva Wright, Robbie Robinson, Master P, and Widespread Panic. Bo Jr. and the band released A New Kind of Funk in 2013, their first CD of original recordings since 1999.

In an industry saturated with fly-by-night singles, auto-tune madness, and packaged artist-development, Alex refuses to conform and instead brings back the musicians to the art of music-making. Her music can only be described as a Hell-hath-no-fury collection of original music chronicling her trials and letdowns with the state of music business today. But the industry is not the only factor surrounding the creation of this musical tour-de-force.

Alex’s bout with cancer has helped shape her unique sound filled with messages of love, faith, positivity, and healing while channeling the retro soul artists of the 60’s and 70’s… Which only makes sense as she is currently touring with Salvador Santana, recently toured with Tito Jackson (of Jackson 5 fame), and has opened as a solo artist for such acts as Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, The Rascals, Evelyn “Champagne” King, The Stylistics, and Dave Mason. Most recently she has added multi-platinum selling artist Rachel Platten to that list as well. Her resume already includes 12 albums, countless jingles, and over 25 theatrical productions, as well as working with established musicians such as Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Fifth Dimension, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Desi Arnaz, Jr., Alphonse Mouzon, Brandon Fields, and Eric Marienthal.

As the music industry settles for what’s “safe”, Alex will continue to push the boundaries of music making. Her songs are a musical testament of loss and hope, failure and triumph. It is a promise to the listeners that her music will never be anything less than sincere and honest. And most importantly, it’s 100% Alex Nester groove!

Alex will be performing on the blues stage on Saturday, May 26th.

Grammy Award Winner Lost Bayou Ramblers for ‘Kalenda’ for Best Regional Roots Album

Lost Bayou Ramblers ‘ evolution as a Cajun band continues to excite, challenge, and redefine both genre expectations as well as cultural preconceptions. Produced by Korey Richey the upcoming studio album, KALENDA , is set for release in August of 2017. The bands’ performance, produced by JACK WHITE, on the 2017 documentary series and record release, AMERICAN EPIC, solidifies Lost Bayou Ramblers’ international reputation as a traditional (while extremely progressive) Cajun band. With 8 albums, a Grammy Nomination, score contributions to the Oscar Nominated Film BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, and support slots with ARCADE FIRE and VIOLENT FEMMES , Lost Bayou continues to swing wide from their Louisiana home base.

“The Grammy-nominated group plays a revved-up version of Cajun music, shot through with punk energy and psychedelic fuzz” -David Dye, World Café

Lost Bayou Ramblers is: Louis Michot – Fiddle and Lead Vocals Andre Michot – Accordion and Lapsteel Eric Heigle – Electronics and Acoustic Guitar Kirkland Middleton – Drums Jonny Campos – Guitar and Vocals Bryan Webre – Bass and Vocals

Lost Bayou Ramblers will be performing on the Cajun stage on Saturday, May 26th and Blues Stage on Sunday 27th.

Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys have arrived! This time, the swamps of Southwest Louisiana have given birth to a young, Cajun band that’s definitely the “Real Deal”. These guys play Cajun music the way it’s supposed to be played, keeping true to their traditional heritage, yet pushing the limits of groove with a mature experimentation that’s guaranteed to keep you dancing. Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys pack the dance floor every time with his pumping accordion rising like steam from the hot gumbo he calls the Ossun Playboys.

The Ossun Playboys have released multiple award winning albums and their live shows have also earned them numerous prestigious awards from the Cajun French Music Association. Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys and their pulsing two-steps and historical waltez are bound to keep your dancing shoes workin’ and sweat on your brow!

Arthur Adams was born in a small town in Medon, Tennessee; twelve miles from Jackson, Tennessee.  Jackson is eighty-four miles north of Memphis, Tennessee.  Arthur attended Tennessee State University for one year, then, joined Jimmy Beck’s Band in the early sixties.  He traveled throughout the south and moved to Los Angeles, California in the late sixties where he began his recording and writing career.   His first album “It’s Private Tonight” is on Blue Thumb records.  “Home Brew” and “Midnight Serenade” are both on Fantasy records.  “Back on Track” is on Blind Pig records, and “Soul of the Blues” is on PMRC records.

Arthur has played some of the top blues and jazz festivals in the world.  Central Jazz & Blues Festival in Los Angeles, Long Beach Blues Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Pocono Blues Festival, Biscuit & Blues club in San Francisco, B.B. King’s Blues clubs in both Hollywood and Memphis, Le Passage Blues Festival in France, Le Meridian Hotel – Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, Blues Autour Du Zinc in France, Handzame Blues in Brussels, Belgium, Blues Estefette in Utrecht, Holland, Cozy’s Bar & Grill in Los Angeles, Harvelles in Los Angeles, Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland, Ritz Carlton Hotels in Los Angeles and Pasadena, Muddy’s Club in Germany, Banana Peel in Belgium and Buddy Guy’s in Chicago.

Arthur has played and recorded with B.B. King, wrote the song “Mean and Evil” and “Something Up My Sleeve” for B.B. King.  He also wrote the song “Love and Peace” for Quincy Jones’ grammy award-winning “Walking In Space” album, “Somebody Is Gonna Miss Me” for Sam Cooke on the “Twistin the ‘Nite Away” album, “Truck Load of Loving” for Albert King, played guitar on the “Nick of Time” album for Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Smith’s album, “Root Down”, Jerry Garcia’s “Garcia”, the Crusaders’ “Street Life”, Johnnie Guitar Watson, Dr. John and many more.  Arthur appears in the movie “Town & Country”, starring Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn where played and sang the song “I Can’t Stand the Rain”.

Arthur’s freight train guitar and soul-steeped vocals, combined with his prolific predilection for writing great material (often in conjunction with award-winning composer Will Jennings), are all brilliantly showcased on his Blind Pig debut Back On Track, his first album in two decades. The set features two sparkling duets (“Got You Next To Me” and “The Long Haul”) pairing Adams with his principal stylistic influence, the great B.B. King, and his regal presence is quite an honor for his long time friend Arthur.

This five-member band consists of an array of talented musicians from the heart of Acadiana. The name of the band, “La Recolte” (The Harvest), was influenced by their desire to keep traditions alive and inspired the release of their debut CD “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes…” The band earned the distinction of “Best New CD of the Year” for the Annual “Le Cajun Awards 2014” sponsored by the Cajun French Music Association. The follow-up album “Le Deuxieme” claimed top honors for the 2016 CFMA Awards being nominated for Band of the Year, Best Male Vocalist, and Song of the Year. They have been featured on the Grand Ole Opry style show, Rendez-vous Des Cajun, at the historical Liberty Theatre in Eunice, LA, and Downtown Alive in Lafayette, La. Performed in New Brunswick Canada in August 2013 for the yearly Acadie Celebrations in the region and participated in the Congres’ Mondial 2014 in Northern Maine and New Brunswick. The West Coast has had the pleasure of enjoying their music at the Long Beach Bayou Festival in 2016. They can also be found around the area donating their talents, playing music, supporting non-profit fundraisers. Their music can be heard on local, regional, and international stages and radio station programs promoting Cajun Music.

Shane Bellard- Accordion & Vocals
Chris Lafleur- Drums & Percussion
Learlin Bellard- Guitar & Vocals
Paul Borel- Bass Guitar & Vocals
Joel Breaux- Fiddle & Vocals