Although The Abita Stumps are a family band, they’re less Partridge Family and more Muscle Shoals meets the Tchefuncte. The Northshore-based group began as a post-Katrina jam session between old friends and neighbors and has since evolved into a full-fledged swampy-tonk ensemble—thanks in large part to the second generation: four jazz-trained brothers who happen to be the sons of the band’s leader, guitarist Dalton Lambert.

When he’s not editing films, Grant Lambert holds down the low end on bass, while his brothers—Clark and Lee on trumpet, and Ford on trombone—bring a brassy punch that gives the band its signature sound. Steve Fisher, a longtime family friend, lends his vocals and guitar, too. And let’s not forget Rachel Lambert, who co-wrote several tracks with her husband and handles the band’s marketing. Longtime pals Anthony Donado and Mark Alexander both contribute drums. 

“Anthony Donado is currently the ‘auxiliary guitarist’ but he has always been willing to fill any role to help the band whether it’s sitting behind the drums or playing bass,” states Dalton. “Mark Alexander is the consummate drummer and bandmate who is always trying to improve our sound. He even plays a pretty mean cabasa on ‘She’s At It Again.’”

The band’s debut album, You Know Why I Am Here, was recorded at Rabadash Studios in Mandeville, which Grant notes is “right by the Dollar General [where] we would go with our grandparents.” Abita Springs and the greater Northshore area are where the band’s lore began—and where they’ve been building a devoted following ever since.

“A couple of old friends of mine who happen to live in Abita Springs, who I knew from high school and LSU, started playing right after Katrina (hence the Stumps),” explains the elder Lambert. “Since we all live in Abita Springs, we decided to name the band The Abita Stumps—though our drummer actually lives in Covington. We’ve been playing around the Northshore since Katrina at farmer’s markets, Abita Opry, Abita Brew Pub, house parties and more. When my sons started getting into music, they would often sit in with us, which really enhanced our sound. They are really great musicians. Grant is a film guy but also an excellent bass player, while Clark, Ford and Lee all studied jazz at LSU. They all have master’s degrees in music as well. Needless to say, they really elevate the band! On a personal note, it’s just so much fun and rewarding for me to play with them. I’m not sure we ever had an ultimate goal outside of just having a good time.”

Dalton says the band gravitates toward the Memphis/Muscle Shoals sound and counts The Band, Tony Joe White, John Hiatt, Sturgill Simpson, and The King among their influences. Tracks like “I’m a Fool” and “Backstreet Bar” land somewhere between the Traveling Wilburys and Dire Straits, while others lean into romance—“She’s At It Again” is a magical, mariachi-like swirl of a song. “Preble’s Own” even dives into some local lore.

“[‘Preble’s Own’], which Rachel, Grant, and I co-wrote, is loosely based on John Preble, who owns the Abita Mystery House,” says Dalton. “He is a well-known artist and musician in his own right—quite the character. The song was an expanded version of a jingle from Grant’s graduate thesis movie called Can Man.”

The album cover? That’s local, too—designed by Abita artist Dave Kelsey. As Dalton puts it, “We like to keep it local!”

At its core, The Abita Stumps aren’t chasing fame or radio play—they’re chasing the joy of playing together as a family, of passing songs between generations, of staying rooted while still reaching for something soulful. And if that joy happens to spill out into a front porch, a festival stage or a farmer’s market, all the better.

Keep up with The Abita Stumps here.