MEDIA - AO2015-05

The Abita Springs Opry is a series of music concerts held six times a year and is produced by a nonprofit organization, Abita Opry Inc. The show has the mission of preserving and presenting Louisiana "Roots" music. Our music is played primarily acoustically, in its original form.

Our main thrust is old-time Country, Bluegrass, and traditional Southern Gospel music, but we often present other forms of traditional Louisiana music such as Cajun, Zydeco, Irish, or other types that reflect the many different groups of people who are part of our diverse culture.

The Last Chance Bluegrass Band
Our most recent house band always shows up with a true desire to please and entertain the audience. Vocalists Eddie Arnold on banjo and Robby Lavigne on mandolin are the principal vocalists. They have that very true bluegrass authenticity in their styling that reminds us that this traditional form of music can be such fun to hear. This ability also comes from watching these guys perform, because it is obvious that they are having fun on that stage. Talented musicians always have a way of making it look easy and are having fun.

Kenny Swartz
Kenny appeared at the Opry many years as a performer alongside the late great Harold Cavallero. He has a great traditional blues style. We are fortunate to have this gifted musician back here. He has a very soulful style and a broad vocal range. Kenny is the real deal and will be true to the roots of the music.

Julio and Caesar
This is another pair of musicians who have not been on our stage for some time. These two musicians are guitar virtuosos, and a joy to hear. They perform in a south of the border style, but have some north of the border influences in their music. They possess magnetic personalities, and the joy they experience comes out in the music they are presenting.

The Tradsters
In the common New Orleans music vernacular, “Trad Jazz” translates to the uniquely New Orleans style of Jazz that was born in the Big easy. It seems that this American classic music form never loses its popularity. It grabs the listener, and hearing the same songs many times never becomes boring. The wonderful improvisation that defines Jazz makes each song an adventure. The Tradsters are yet another group of young musicians who get what New Orleans Jazz is all about, and we are always more than happy to have young people on our stage who are going to keep our important musical heritage alive.