If you’re driving along the banks of Bayou St. John on Moss Street on Saturday morning, March 22, don’t be surprised if you have to brake for a banjo player. That suspicious-looking character is most likely playing the New Orleans Bayou Bluegrass Festival at the Deutsches Haus, 1700 Moss Street. The inaugural event is from noon to 9 p.m.
Bluegrass may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about New Orleans music, especially since it originated with Bill Monroe of Western Kentucky who assembled it from a variety of sources. Yet, bluegrass and New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, aren’t the strangest of bedfellows. Both are highly improvisational, featuring intricate melodies and interplay between instruments, with vigorous instrumental virtuosity.
Mike Kerwin and Pat Flory. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Nonetheless, it has had a relatively quiet but steady presence in the Crescent City. Over the decades, it’s been championed by the tireless efforts of such advocates as Tulane Professor Emeritus, author and musician Bill C. Malone and multi-instrumentalist Pat Flory, who guided a young Béla Fleck in the ’70s, and former denizens Jeff and Vida [Wakeman] and current resident Mike Kerwin. (Kerwin also played with Flory in The Sweet Olive String Band.) Among Flory’s lengthy list of accomplishments are starting the Piney Woods Opry in Abita Springs in 1992 and opening for bluegrass icon Bill Monroe at the House of Blues in October 1995 with flatpicking guitarist Don Napier.
Spring Chickens
Even Cajun accordionist Bruce Daigrepont has participated in the New Orleans bluegrass scene: As a fifteen-year-old, he played a five-string banjo with Luke Thompson and the Green Valley Cut-Ups before tackling the loud little box to eventually become one of Cajun music’s most prolific songsmiths and vibrant performers.
Throughout the years, bluegrass jams have sprouted around town at venues like Liuzza’s By the Track, Mermaid Lounge, Neutral Ground, NOLA Brewing and Pizza Company, and The Hi-Ho Lounge, to name a few. National stars Billy Strings, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Molly Tuttle, and Fleck all pop into town from time to time to play its arenas, theaters, and Jazz Fest stages.
Last year, the spark for the creation of a New Orleans Bayou Bluegrass Festival was born when enthusiast Michael Naquin befriended his Metairie neighbor, Flory, not realizing his significance and accomplishments in the community. Flory put him in touch with Kerwin, who really connected with Naquin’s dreams and aspirations for a festival. and possibly staging other events year-round. Naquin filed the paperwork for the nonprofit Delta Hayride Association and formed a board with other like-minded devotees.
Considering this is just the New Orleans Bayou Bluegrass Festival’s first year, Delta Hayride knocked it out of the park with its stellar line-up. The multi-award-winning East Nash Grass headlines the festivities. Naquin and Kerwin feel East Nash Grass is on an upward trajectory and they are lucky to have inked one of the hottest young acts out there.
The penultimate headliner is 15-year-old Wyatt Ellis and Christopher Henry. Given his youth, staggering accomplishments, and inestimable potential, Kerwin estimates Ellis could be another Billy Strings in five years. “We’re going to get them in front of a small audience, and it’s going to be a memorable experience,” Kerwin says. “New Orleans has great fans that really appreciate music.” Already, Ellis has shared with many, including the Grand Ole Opry stage with Marty Stuart.
Edgar Loudermilk. Photo courtesy of the artist.
NOLA Bluegrass Fest’s third national touring act is Edgar Loudermilk, former bassist for Rhonda Vincent, the reigning Queen of Bluegrass. The Georgian is SPBGMA’s “Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year” and leads his own group. He has notched over 40 industry awards and nominations and is revered for his deep songwriting.
Representing Louisiana’s own bluegrass contingent are Alexandria and Covington traditionalists Catahoula Drive and Spring Chickens, as well as New Orleans own progressive The Tanglers, known for its “daredevil solos.”
Proceeds from the Bayou Bluegrass Festival benefit Special Olympics Louisiana and the Dolly Parton-inspired Krewe of Dolly. Special Olympics are a cause near and dear to Naquin’s heart: His older brother has participated in the various levels of Special Olympics all his life. “So, I was like, how can I be a part of his life more? How can I make an impact in my brother’s life?” Naquin frequently asked himself. And then it hit him, Special Olympics, a running theme throughout his life.
Krewe of Dolly focuses on childhood literacy by providing books to children. “We’re going to have them show dressed as Dolly Parton,” Naquin explains. “We are going to put them at certain points of sale in the festival, so when you’re buying something, you’re interacting with Dolly Parton, right? Most people don’t realize she is this big, huge country star, but she also started in bluegrass.”
Kerwin admits that it sometimes takes an event a while to get rolling, but when it does, watch out. “People love to have a reason to go to New Orleans, especially if you are within driving distance,” Kerwin says. “Our target is like a 200 to 250 mile radius, so we can be the kickoff event for the bluegrass summer circuit. So, given all those things, I think it could be a really good thing.”
Get tickets for the event here.
