Bobby Rush to headline BBHF
Published 4:11 am Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival organizers recently announced that Bobby Rush, a Grammy award winner in 2017 for his album Porcupine Meat, will be the headliner on Saturday, Sept. 29. Rush, a resident of Jackson, Miss., has been called a “true living legend.”
Rush has spent most of his 84 years of life as a master of the blues harmonica and guitar. He has received 12 blues awards, and has been nominated for four Grammy awards during his 60-year career.
Rush will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Immediately preceding Rush will be Ruthie Foster at 6:30 p.m.
Foster makes a return engagement to the BBHF, where she wowed music fans at the Main Stage in 2014. Foster has been nominated for multiple blues awards and is in demand not only nationally but internationally, as well.
Vasti Jackson will play at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on the Blues Stage.
Jackson, of McComb, Miss., is described as “a blues renaissance man at every aspect and level of the music industry.”
It is said that, “His performances are instilled with blues, soul, funk and jazz on a level that is rarely approached by others, and that Jackson, “is a transcendent talent and is a true entertainer throughout his show as he engages closely with his audience.
Jackson first appeared at the 2013 BBHF and organizers said they are “pleased to welcome back this amazing talent.”
He will be immediately preceded by Chris Leblanc at 2:45 p.m.
Leblanc has been billed with such artists as ZZ Top, Hank Williams Jr., Buddy Guy, Dr. John, B.B. King, and others.
Leblanc has traveled nationwide, and has visited Europe on multiple occasions. He has been a mainstay of the Louisiana Music scene for more than 20 years. His music is said to “resonate a rich bluesy sound of the south.” It is also said that Leblanc, “is a musicians’ musician wowing audiences from town to town throughout America with his big man spirit, and innate kindness.”
Abita Springs resident Crispin Schroeder, who is accomplished on keyboard, guitar, and other instruments, will start the music on the Blues Stage on Saturday at 1 p.m. He is making his first appearance at the BBHF, and festival organizers say it promises to be a great set.
“Big Daddy O” Owen Tufts will start the show on the Blues Stage at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
A Mt. Hermon resident, Tufts is returning for his third BBHF appearance. His big but mellow voice, whether playing solo or with a group, is delivered with impeccable phrasing and grace in a blues ballad format.
The complete music schedule is tentatively set as follows:
Friday on the Blues Stage
- 5:30 p.m. — Big Daddy O
- 7 p.m. — Kenny Neal
- 8:45 p.m. — Sonny Landreth
Saturday on the Blues Stage
- 1 p.m. — Crispin Schroeder
- 2:45 p.m. — Chris Leblanc
- 4:30 p.m. — Vasti Jackson
- 6:30 p.m. — Ruthie Foster
- 8:30 p.m. — Bobby Rush
Saturday on the Heritage Stage
- 11:45 a.m. — Ricky Killingsworth
- 12:45 p.m. — Joel Galloway
- 2 p.m. — The Rezonators
- 3:15 p.m. — Remedy
- 4:30 p.m. — Dash Rip Rock
- 5:45 p.m. — Serabee (Sera Buras)