Abita Opry Media

MEDIA - AO2015-09

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 Steve Anderson Group
If you like traditional “Honky Tonk” country that was performed by greats like Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams, you will love Steve. He is a self-taught local guy. Steve is a very quiet and humble person, but, when he starts to sing, his personality transforms. He can belt out those great cou8ntry tunes with the best of them. He is complimented by another strong vocalist, Jan Biggs. The group is rounded out by Bobby Belloni on Bass and Anne Hibbs on fiddle.

Olga
This talented lady is a one-person show. She has a beautiful voice and can effectively perform various genres. She is a return act at the Opry after several years, and will bring her virtuosity on the guitar as well as her great singing style to the Opry stage.

Choupique
This group is very Cajun. Jesse Brown, the group’s leader displays uncommon skill in one of the principal instruments to Cajun music, the accordion. Not only does Jesse play that instrument, but he builds them. His brand name is, of course, Choupique accordions. They have played many different venues and dances. They are one of the bends that play at the monthly Cajun dance at the Abita Town Hall. They do standards as well as some interesting originals, and they do them very well.

Shotgun Jazz Band
We usually wait some time before inviting return acts to the Opry, but this group will be returning to our stage because of popular demand. We have had more requests for this group to return that any other act we have had. The group’s vocalist is Marla Dixon, and she possesses an uncommonly powerful singing voice. It is not a stretch to state that she is one of the best in New Orleans at delivering traditional jazz songs. The members of this group are veteran performers who have played that great traditional jazz on the streets of New Orleans to the clubs on Frenchmen street, the Jazz Fest and the French Quarter Festival. When you hear them, you will understand why they are in demand.