Newsletter

I’ll start off the newsletter this month by wishing a very happy birthday to my sweetheart, Selena!  I’m looking forward to all the fun we’ll be having.  Since my b-day is only a few days later, and it’s the best time of the year for Louisiana festivals, you know I have tons of fun planned for us.  If you think I put lots of events/concerts/festivals/etc. on this website, you should spend a day in her shoes – I’m rather exhausting when it comes to lists of activities, she says.  I think I’ve got stuff planned for her all the way into November….hehe.  But, it’s what I do – I find fun stuff – life is short!  Happy Birthday, S….Love you…..

Ya’ll know I’ve talked about my buddy, Clay Jenkins, serving in the military in Afghanistan…. well, he finally finished his tour and is back home safe and sound.  Glad to have you back here, my friend.

I’ll be playing at all the usual spots again this month, plus several private parties.  I feel lucky, and business is still going just fine.  I’m happy to be continually making new friends and fans – without that, my little 1-man company would go under!  Thanks very much to you all. 

So, here are a few of the fun and exciting things I’ve found to tell ya about.  I’m sure some of it is not news, but here they are:

Every Wednesday this month, and into June – YLC Wednesdays at the Square – New Orleans.  This is a great way to spend a weeknight, with some Abita beer, dog greeting, free local music, and easy parking, all around some decent places to eat. 

Here’s a new one – Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival – Natchitoches  April 3 – 4.  Elvis’ guitarist James Burton is there, along with some NO artists, and an Eagles tribute band, 7 Bridges.  This don’t sound bad.

In Ponchatoula, there is the annual Strawberry Festival – April 3 – 5.  The ultimate Elvis Presley tribute artist of 2008, Brandon Bennett (from Ponchatoula) performs, as well as the Molly Ringwalds and some of my friends, like Mojeaux and Hip Boot Joe. 

B.B. King performs at The House of Blues, New Orleans, on April 5.  I caught him once at Jazz Fest.  He’s a classic!

I’ve been on the treadmill and elliptical machines, but I’m not in shape for The Crescent City Classic on April 11.  Maybe some of you strong runners can go for this one. 

I can’t think of a cook-off I’d enjoy more than the Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff (except maybe chili).  That’s in Ville Platte, Belaire Cove Chapel on April 18. 

There’s always a mess, ironically, on Earth Day in Baton Rouge, April 19.  Chris LeBlanc Bands jams that afternoon!

I could get a lesson in telling jokes and stories – not my long suit – Cajun Joke Telling Contest – Opelousas, April 18. 

GERD and acid reflux be damned – it’s the Cajun Hot Sauce Festival  April 17 – 19, where else but New Iberia, home of Tabasco. 

One of the great festivals all year is The French Quarter Festival.  The food rivals any outdoor event I’ve been to; and the music is all New Orleans artists, on stages all through the Quarter and along the Riverfront.  And, it’s free.  That’s April 17 – 19. 

I just found this one, and I hope I’ll get to it someday – but, if you are gonna be in Austin, TX, The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival sounds amazing – April 16 – 19. 

How cool does this sound? – A Moveable Feast, April 16, in Baton Rouge. 

If you love to two-step, waltz, and jitterbug to Cajun Music, this one sounds nice, and for a good cause – Cajun Woodstock for St. Jude’s – April 25 – 26, in Church Point. 

April 24 – 26, look up Italian Festival in Independence, Etouffee Festival in Arnaudville, Festival de la Prairie in Prairieville, and Saint Joan of Arc Spring Festival in LaPlace.  Also, that weekend and a few days before find Festival International in Lafayette, April 22 – 26.  Acts are coming from all over the world, but Marc Broussard catches my eye on April 23. 

Then, there’s the big boy – New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival  April 24 – 26 and April 30 – May 3.  What can I say?  You know how incredible this one is.  We love it – never a disappointment.  Bring the sun block. 

Another happy b-day wish goes to Liz Dunn at On the Half Shell.  She has given me tons of business!  And my buddy Lindsey Spiller’s daughter Eve is getting married – congrats to her.  The Cut Throats will be playing for her up in St. Francisville. 

I’ve recently hung out with Dave Malone of The Radiators, and we hope to do some shows together.  I’m flattered that he’d wanna sing and play with me – he is so talented.  I’m hoping that might happen as early as next month – likely at one of the On the Half Shell locations.  Also, just an early notice – I’ll be playing Cinco de Mayo at Mi Padre’s in Prairieville, with Matt Doran and Charles Pierce, on May 5.  Look for all that info to come out soon.  But, I hope we can have a great time with you all that evening. 

Since I’m booking acts at The Pastime and all 3 Spanky’s locations, I’d like you to keep an eye out for who plays there, too.  Check out the music lineups at Pastime myspace and Spanky’s Live Music myspace.  I’ve been recruiting some of my acquaintances from New Orleans to come play at The Pastime – like Brint Anderson and John Fohl, both fantastic guitarists.  Look for them soon, along with Baton Rouge Blues Week, for which we put some blues music in The Pastime – April 24 and 25. 

I hope you enjoy the spring weather, all the crawfish, oysters, and soft-shell crabs you can eat, hunting for Easter eggs, the plethora of festivals, cutting the grass and planting the gardens; and, I hope you can squeeze in some music from me….

Thanks,

Kirk