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.
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Watch an entire show from set up to the actual performances in less than 3 minutes. This video was made using stop action photography.
This is a newscast from WWL-TV with TV journalist Frank Davis featuring the Abita Springs Opry in his 'Naturally N'Awlins' segment.
Abita Springs Opry Featuring Harold Cavallero with Danny Paige and Don Vappie & the Creole Swingers - recorded in October 2004.
Dobro player and steel guitarist Harold Cavallero became a professional musician when he was 13 years old, just two years after he first picked up a Dobro. By the time he was 14, Cavallero was playing gigs in New Orleans on Bourbon Street. He played in the Crescent City with a group known as the Evening Star String Band, specializing in the sound of country music as it was played during the '40s and '50s. His bandmates in the Evening Star String Band include vocalist and guitarist Patrick Flory, Gina Forsyth on fiddle, and Mary Howell on vocals and bass.
Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders is New Orleans' premier classic jazz orchestra. This group has acquired a unique following of music lovers that spans the generations; young and old are among the eager fans when the band takes the stage. The Creole Jazz Serenaders' repertoire includes creole jazz from the early years, as well as music from Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong. Duke Ellington, and many others.
Abita Springs Opry Featuring The Trusty's From Davo Crossing and the Tom Fischer Jazz Group - Recorded in September 2007.
Performing together since 1997, this duo consists of the husband and wife team of Danny and Linda Trusty. A guitar player for 55 years, Danny plays mandolin, claw-hammer banjo, fiddle, and several other instruments. He also has an artist endorsement from the Deering Banjo Company of California. Linda plays up-right bass, guitar, and autoharp. Both sing lead and harmony vocals and often switch parts on many of their songs.
TOM FISCHER was born and raised in the Chicago area. He received his formal training at Indiana University and his informal training playing with jazz bands in the Chicago area. He moved to New Orleans to join Banu Gibson's band in 1989. He was featured soloist with the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra in May of 1990. In 1992, he traveled on a State Department tour to the Middle East, Pakistan and India. Since his move to New Orleans, he has also worked with Al Hirt. Jazz Times Magazine says, "Fischer is one of the best of a top-notch group of young clarinetists now playing."
Abita Springs Opry - Featuring Big Daddy-O and The Petty Bones -Recorded in May 2007
Big Daddy 'O' is one of those rare blues finds. For more than thirty years he has been playing in roadhouses and bars in the delta area near the Louisiana/Mississippi border. Rabadash Records "discovered" Big Daddy 'O' playing at small bar in Amite, Louisiana. His approach to performing songs makes each song sound like his own, and everyone who has the pleasure of hearing him loves his big beautiful voice and good-natured presentation. At 6'6", he has a strong presence on stage that no one forgets. He performs as a solo act as well as with his band, "The Big Daddy 'O' Revue."
The Petty Bones are a group of acoustically based multi-instrumentalists, with emotionally charged songwriting and vocals. The Petty Bones continue to deliver a variety of rootsy original, traditional & cover tunes to an ever increasing group of loyal listeners from all ages and backgrounds.
Jerry Crowell (Rev Luther)-Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Harmonica, Vocals & Kazoo
Anne Langston-Crowell (Annabelle)-Guitar, Piano/Keyboards, Banjo, Vocals & Kazoo
Harvey Jones (Curly P)-Guitar, Mandolin
Charles MacGowan (Buzz)-Bass
HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS FOR MEDIA (photos by GeorgeLong.com)
