A community tradition for 26 years and a popular staple in Acadiana’s cultural and social calendar, the Downtown Alive! fall 2009 season kicks off on Sept. 11. The series promises to once again bring great entertainment in the form of free, family-friendly, outdoor concerts to downtown Lafayette.
Fall 2009 DTA Season Schedule:
Sept. 11: T.K. Hulin, Steve Adams & Smoke with Charlene Howard
(Swamp Pop - Parc International)
T. K. Hulin has become a Louisiana legend and major figure in the music industry with a singing career that spans almost 50 years, beginning in the 1960s with a regional hit, “Many Nights,” and later his signature song, “Graduation Night.”
www.tkhulin.com
Sept. 18: The Charmaine Neville Band
(N.O. Jazz and Funk - Parc Sans Souci)
Born into the third generation of New Orleans' legendary musical family, Charmaine has nonetheless worked hard to get where she is and make her music known as her own. She began her career backing up the Neville Brothers and went on to perform with the Survivors, a band whose alumni list includes Harry Connick Jr. and Bobby McFerrin. It was during that time she first started working with saxophonist Reggie Houston. The band, certainly one of the best to come out of New Orleans, is co-led by piano virtuoso Amasa Miller and Fats Domino graduate Reggie Houston on sax. They’ve played festivals and clubs in Rome, Paris, Copenhagen, Germany, Japan, and Barbados. www.charmainenevilleband.com
Sept. 25: David Egan & 20 Years of Trouble
(Contemporary/Roots/Blues - Parc Sans Souci)
Egan, born and raised in Shreveport, has crafted a reputation as one of the country’s most respected contemporary blues songwriters. The 20 Years of Trouble band builds its raucous sound around Egan originals and piano-pounding Louisiana soul classics. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Irma Thomas, Etta James, Marsha Ball, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, John Mayall, Mavis Staples, Joe Cocker, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Johnny Adams, as well as being included in feature films. David has toured extensively with the regional, now legendary, party band A-Train, the great Jo-El Sonnier, and the local Cajun group File. David is also a member of the swamp pop super-group Lil’ Band of Gold.
Oct. 2: Henry Gray and the Cats
(Blues - Parc International)
This legendary blues pianist and singer has been playing for more than seven decades with a multitude of iconic artists including Robert Lockwood, Jr., the Rolling Stones, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Koko Taylor, among many others. He has more than 60 recording projects to his credit including recordings for the legendary Chess Records label and is credited with helping to create the distinctive sound of the Chicago blues piano. For his great accomplishments in music, he has received four W. C. Handy nominations, been awarded the National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment of the Arts and received a Grammy nomination for his work on TelArc Records’ 1998 release “A Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf.” www.henrygray.com
Oct. 9: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles Kickoff with Feufollet & Special Guests and a Cajun Country Homecoming featuring Doug Kershaw, Jo-El Sonnier, and Jimmy C. Newman.
(Cajun – Parc International)
Feufollet is a young group of musicians leading the way in creating innovative Cajun music. Feufollet has been admired for their musicianship and comprises critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated musicians who continuously push the envelope with their inventive Cajun, roots and rock sounds. Doug Kershaw brings his highly energetic performance quality to the stage as he simultaneously plays the fiddle, sings and dances for audiences, who know him as “The Ragin Cajun.” Kershaw has several hits on the country music charts including “Hello Woman” and “Cajun Baby,” and is known for his track that has been covered by more than 800 artists, “Louisiana Man.” Jo-El Sonnier, known as the “King of Cajun,” began playing the accordion at age 3 in his hometown of Rayne. His passion for music, his instrument and his Cajun roots have allowed him to occupy a significant place in the rich, artistic landscape of this country. Jimmy C. Newman is a long time star of the Grand Ole Opry and has recorded several albums
reaching Top 10 status.
Oct. 16: Sonny Landreth
(Blues/Slide Guitar - Parc International)
Known for his six string prowess and slide guitar playing, Sonny Landreth’s soulful musicianship has led him to perform with some of the most noted musicians in the country including Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffet and Dr. John. Landreth was awarded the Blues Foundation’s Instrumentalist of the Year for 2009 and is known by fans across the country for his masterful playing.
www.sonnylandreth.com
Oct. 23: 5th Avenue
(80’s covers & variety – Parc Sans Souci – UL Homecoming Event)
Since 1983, 5th Avenue has been one of Acadiana’s party bands. With more than 100 years of experience combined, the band plays all of the favorites from the 70s, 80s, 90s and even golden oldies such as Otis Redding, Van Morrison, Percy Sledge and more.
www.the5thavenueband.com
Oct. 30: Black Bayou Construkt
(Psychedelic, roots rock - Parc Sans Souci)
Comprising some of Louisiana’s most innovative modern talents, Black Bayou Construkt is lead by the world-class songwriting of writer and musician Dege Legg and backed by the instrumental magic of Joe Gary (Wayne Toups, Spank the Monkey), Chad Viator (Roddie Romero Band, Arbor Vitae), Chad Willis (Michael Juan Nunez Band), Sean Keating (Deadboy & the Elephantmen), and Esther Tyree (The Wild Flowers). Black Bayou Construkt draws inspiration from the traditionally organic sounds of the past and blends it with the aesthetic nuances of the modern area. With songs that range from ethereal, piano-driven ballads to dual-slide guitar barn burners, Black Bayou Construkt traffic in a surreal world where their live jam explorations can lead from the Mississippi Delta to the Arabian desert. myspace.com/blackbayouconstruktion
Nov. 6: Cowboy Mouth
(Rock - Parc International)
New Orleans based rock band Cowboy Mouth has become a powerhouse live act whose high energy performances have been seen and heard by millions of fans worldwide for nearly 20 years. Their more popular songs include “Jenny Says,” “Love of My Life” and “Everybody Loves Jill.” Through the years, their music has been on the soundtrack for many films, such as Meet the Robinsons and The Underneath. www.cowboymouth.com
Nov. 13: Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band
(Zydeco - Parc International)
Now celebrating his 20th Anniversary, Chubby Carrier’s skill and passion for the accordion are expressed in his traditional Zydeco sounds. Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band are known to heat up a party and get people on their feet. Prepare to be funkified and zydecofied.
www.chubbycarrier.com
Nov. 20: Nik-L Beer
(Classic covers & variety - Parc International)
For more than 30 years, Nik-L Beer has been delighting audiences across Louisiana. Drawing on diverse musical experiences, this 8-piece band will belt out golden oldies, hard-driving Zydeco, blue-eyed soul, Motown, country, 80’s funk, swamp pop, two-stepping Cajun, a cappella and Mardi Gras music.
www.niklbeer.com
Nov. 25: Filé
(Cajun - Parc Sans Souci) Lighting of the Official City Christmas Tree
A Downtown Alive! favorite, Filé once again will close out the Fall series with the reunion of band members David Egan, piano and vocals; Ward Lormand; accordion and vocals; D’Jalma Garnier, fiddle, guitar and vocals; Kevin Shearin, bass and vocals; and Danny Kimball, drums.
Downtown Alive! is produced by Downtown Lafayette Unlimited in cooperation with the Downtown Development Authority and Lafayette Consolidated Government. DTA is a free event sponsored by Cox, Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, Lafayette Coca Cola, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, and Slap Ya Mama Cajun Products.