Ouachita River Blues Society

Our 2024 Blues Challenge is shaping up to be a real showdown!!🎸💥🎶 You don’t want to miss seeing these artists give it their all for a chance to compete in Memphis. The entry deadline is this Saturday! We can’t wait to announce our final competing act lineup.

Our second annual Blues competition will be held on Sept 22 at the Krewe of Janus Den, 901 Louisville Ave., Monroe, LA. The first seven Bands and the first seven solo/duo acts to register according to the rules will compete before a live audience.

Winners will advance to compete on an international level in Memphis at the IBC to represent ORBS. Travel stipend and IBC guidance included.

Artists can enter the challenge by visiting our website listed on the flyer and in the comments below.

Check out these photos taken by 11-year old photographer William Bailey at our Mixer Concert at the VFW Post 1809! William is the son of photographer Andrew L Bailey. We appreciate their hard work documenting the live music scene in our community! 🎶🪩🎸

D.K. Harrell and the Killer Cane Cutters put on a fantastic show at this special venue. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the blues with us!👏👏👏

Thank you, VFW Post 1809 Rodney J Hobbs - Monroe, La, for your wonderful hospitality! A special thanks also goes out to Dan Sumner at Fort Sumner Music School for running sound. We appreciate all the musicians who gave it their all tonight. We loved every minute of it! Long live the blues!👏👏👏

Reminder that tonight’s concert at the VFW Hall (1499 Hwy 584, Monroe, LA 71203) will also serve as our annual membership meeting for our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’ll share what all we’ve accomplished this year as well as exciting upcoming plans!

This event is open to the public! ORBS members get in free. Non ORBS members pay $10 at the door. Tina Cossey will not be performing due to an illness. No worries though because the D.K. Harrell Band and Killer Cane Cutters will be rocking the VFW Hall!!

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Our 2024 Blues Mixer will be held at the VFW Hall (VFW Post 1809, 1499 Hwy. 594, Monroe, LA 71203). Our globetrotting President D.K. Harrell is home to headline!

D.K. has been racking up the awards with a Blues Music Award, two Living Blues Awards, B.B. King’s King of the Blues Award, and as a winner of the International Blues Challenge. He has been touring internationally at large festivals and stages to critical acclaim.

Thank you to our Mixer Sponsors: D.K. Harrell and Fort Sumner Music School

UPDATE ON FRIDAY’S SHOW: Tina Cossey will not be performing due to an illness. No worries though because the D.K. Harrell Band and Killer Cane Cutters will be rocking the VFW Hall!!

Remember TONIGHT is also our monthly open blues jam at Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe. We’ll have a B.B. King Tribute by D.K. Harrell as part of the show! Musicians, bring your instrument to join the show.😎💙🎶
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Our 2024 Blues Mixer will be held at the VFW Hall (VFW Post 1809, 1499 Hwy. 594, Monroe, LA 71203). Our globetrotting President D.K. Harrell is home to headline!

This show is open to all! Free for ORBS members and $10 for non-members at the door. This event will also serve as our open annual meeting. Come learn about upcoming plans, ways to get involved, and meet fellow blues fans!

D.K. has been racking up the awards with a Blues Music Award, two Living Blues Awards, B.B. King’s King of the Blues Award, and as a winner of the International Blues Challenge. He has been touring internationally at large festivals and stages to critical acclaim.

Thank you to our Mixer Sponsors: D.K. Harrell and Fort Sumner Music School

Greetings, Blues family!

-The ORBS Open Blues Jam at Enoch’s will begin at 8pm on Thursday, August 22, 2024!

-Remember that ORBS members attending the jam are entitled to HAPPY HOUR PRICES at Enoch’s during our open jam!

-Check in at the ORBS table to verify your membership and receive your wristband to access the special!
If you have not yet purchased your membership, you can do so at orbs318.com. Individual memberships are only $25 annually!!

-As always, we welcome musicians to show up, sign in, and jam with our full house band, The Killer Cane Cutters!! Backline is provided!! But remember, BLUES AND NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES!

-We at ORBS are thrilled to announce that our spotlight artist for August is none other than our ORBS President, swiftly rising Blues superstar, and Ruston native, Mr. D.K. Harrell!!

“The 26-year-old Harrell is a self-taught guitarist from Ruston, a rural community in the northern Louisiana. He first interest in the blues occurred at age 11 after seeing the movie Cadillac Records, inspired by the harmonica sounds of Little Walter. But after picking up the harmonica, Harrell moved onto guitar at 13, exploring blues from many angles until he discovered B.B. King.
From that point on, Harrell devoted himself to the blues and watched every B.B. King video he could find. He picked up on the subtleties and dynamics of King’s music that other people overlook. And, just as important, he tapped into the intangibles that made King the worldwide King of the Blues.
And at 19, Harrell found himself traveling to B.B. King’s hometown of Indianola, Miss., to play a blues symposium on King’s music. It was his first paying gig, and he was honored that the B.B. King Museum chose him to play King’s fabled “Lucille” guitar.
When it came time to record his first album, Little Village assembled an all-star support lineup that included bassst Jerry Jemmott (who played on King’s original recording of “The Thrill Is Gone” and served stints in the bands of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and King Curtis), drummer Tony Coleman (30 years in King’s band) and organist Jim Pugh (Etta James and Robert Cray bands).Along the way, Harrell also has attracted some high-profile fans. Musicians such as Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Rush, Susan Tedeschi and Chris Cain each are big fans, realizing that the young D.K. Harrell has special talent.

“In less than a year, singer-guitarist D.K. Harrell has catapulted from a blues artist with promise to one of the most sought-after musicians in the blues realm. His debut record, The Right Man on Little Village, won immediate critical raves worldwide upon its release in June 2023 and became the second most-played blues album on U.S. radio in 2023. In 2024 he was honored as Best Emerging Artist in the prestigious Blues Music Awards celebration held by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation. He also will play a stream of major U.S. festivals this year and has five European tours. In all he will play in 10 different countries this year.”

Learn more about him at

https://dkblues.com/

D.K. and his band will be performing a tribute to the legendary B.B. King, with open jam to follow!!

Join us in welcoming our prez back home, and we will see you at the ORBS Blues Jam!!

-Ira Barger
Vice President
Ouachita River Blues Society

Great article about the Blueseum event coming up on October 12 in partnership with the Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society!! 💙😎🎶🎸

Thank you Cathi Cox-Boniol & Ruston Daily Leader for the love and the coverage. One note of correction, we have had visitors from 16 states and 3 foreign countries in just this year!



Rick Godley GodleyWorks Marketing-Streaming-Podcast Services Downtown Ruston Experience Ruston The D.K. Harrell Blues Band D.K. Harrell City of Ruston Origin Bank City of Ruston Lincoln Parish Police Jury Ruston Cultural District Ruston High School Ruston High School Alumni Association Roux102 Ouachita River Blues Society

We’re partnering with the Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society on an exciting event, Blueseum Fest and street dance on October 12 on the museum lawn in Ruston!! This will be a homecoming for the D.K. Harrell Band who’ll be headlining the event. Four on the Floor and the Alfred Young Band will also be playing! Proceeds will benefit The Lincoln Parish Museum & ORBS.

Admission: $30 on event day OR FREE IF you are wearing an Official Blueseum Fest T-shirt at the event. You can purchase a shirt from Cotton Top in Ruston for $15 now till August 30th, after that till fest day, shirts are $20. If you wear the shirt to the event, you get in free. Otherwise it will be $30 wristbands the day of. Remember this is a double fundraiser for The Lincoln Parish Museum & The Ouachita River Blues Society. Your shirt gets you in free! Order yours now for only $15 @ CottonTopRuston.NET

What: Lincoln Parish Museum Bluseum Fest Street Dance featuring D.K.Harrell
When: Saturday October 12th 3-8pm
Where: Lincoln Parish Museum backyard & side street, Virginia Street!
Why: Raise awareness & money for 2 non profits: The Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society & The Ouachita River Blues Society

Doug Duffey and BADD’s new album release celebration is tonight at Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe. This album is getting rave reviews and climbing several charts. It’s always a party with Doug at the keys!🎹🩵

Announcing our 2024 Blues Mixer to be held at the VFW Hall (VFW Post 1809, 1499 Hwy. 594, Monroe, LA 71203). Our globetrotting President D.K. Harrell will be home to headline with special guest Tina Cossey from the Port City Blues Society!

This show is open to all! Free for ORBS members and $10 for non-members at the door. This event will also serve as our open annual meeting. Come learn about upcoming plans, ways to get involved, and meet fellow blues fans!

D.K. has been racking up the awards with a Blues Music Award, two Living Blues Awards, B.B. King’s King of the Blues Award, and as a winner of the International Blues Challenge. He has been touring internationally at large festivals and stages to critical acclaim.

Hailing from Pine Bluff, AR, Tina Cossey was a semifinalist at the 2024 International Blues Challenge. Get ready for belting vocals and a super high-energy show!!

Thank you to our Mixer Sponsors: D.K. Harrell and Fort Sumner Music School

Congratulations to D.K. Harrell on winning two Living Blues Awards! We are so proud of you.👏

🏆 Best New Recording and Debut Album, “The Right Man”

🏆 Artist Deserving More Attention

NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MUSIC TRAIL, Intrepid Artists International, NELA Music Awards, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council

What a night!! 😎 Thanks to everyone who came out to our monthly open jam at Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe. CoCo York brought the house down! Doug Duffey and BADD also gave us a sneak peek of their new album. 👏👏👏

Join us next month for a tribute to B.B. King with our Board President D.K. Harrell on August 22, 8-11pm, at Enoch’s. We have coordinated this jam with the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum, and the NELA Music Awards.

The jam is always the third Thursday of the month. We have rescheduled this particular jam to the fourth Thursday to accommodate the music awards which will be happening on 8/15.

Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments, sign up to play on-site, and be called up to the stage to play with the house band. Gotta play the blues. ORBS members receive happy hour pricing during the jam. Just come to the ORBS table for a wristband!

Photo credit 📸: Kay LaFrance-Knight

ATTENTION ARTISTS: Are you interested in a clear path to perform and compete in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge (IBC)?🏆

Registration is now open for ORBS’ 2024 Blues Challenge!!💙 Our second annual Blues competition will be held on Sept 22 at the Krewe of Janus Den, 901 Louisville Ave., Monroe, LA. The first seven Bands and the first seven solo/duo acts to register according to the rules will compete before a live audience.

Winners will advance to compete on an international level in Memphis at the IBC to represent ORBS. Travel stipend and IBC guidance included.

ENTER NOW!! Rules and registration info in the comments.

Summer greetings, Blues family!!

-The ORBS Open Blues Jam at Enoch’s will, as usual, begin at 8pm on Thursday, July 18th, 2024!

-Remember that ORBS members attending the jam are entitled to HAPPY HOUR PRICES at Enoch’s during our open jam!

Check in at the ORBS table to verify your membership and receive your wristband to access the special!
If you have not yet purchased your membership, you can do so at orbs318.com. Individual memberships are only $25 annually!!

As always, we welcome musicians to show up, sign in, and jam with our full house band, The Killer Cane Cutters!! Backline is provided!! But remember, BLUES AND NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES!

Y’all get ready because our spotlight for July is none other than the incomparable CoCo York!!

Originally from Strong, Arkansas, CoCo York honed her musical skills on Bourbon Street. She has traveled the world playing for presidents, royalty, and audiences in Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia and North America. She spent years touring with Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra and Rotterdam Philharmonic. Internationally acclaimed guitarist Dan Sumner will join her on stage. Dan owns Fort Sumner recording studio in Monroe where he records and produces Louisiana artists.

Join us in welcoming CoCo and Dan to the ORBS Blues Jam!!

-Ira Barger
Vice President
Ouachita River Blues Society

Looking for live music options this weekend? KEDM Public Radio’s weekly Parish Playlist has you covered! ✅

June is such a hot month for live music! Here's the latest Parish Playlist from KEDM -- please get out and enjoy some of the best our region has to offer!

Join The Parish Playlist weekly email and get the week's music lineup delivered to your inbox!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/4E1JNwF/theparishplaylist

To be featured, message us! Or email kedm gm $at& ulm.edu.

Summer greetings, Blues family!!

-The ORBS Open Blues Jam at Enoch’s will, as usual, begin at 8pm on Thursday, June 20th, 2024!

-Remember that ORBS members attending the jam are entitled to HAPPY HOUR PRICES at Enoch’s during our open jam!

Check in at the ORBS table to verify your membership and receive your wristband to access the special!
If you have not yet purchased your membership, you can do so at orbs318.com. Individual memberships are only $25 annually!!

As always, we welcome musicians to show up, sign in, and jam with our full house band, The Killer Cane Cutters!! Backline is provided!! But remember, BLUES AND NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES!
do we have a great jam planned for this month!!

We are honored to announce this month’s spotlight band, BluezCatz!!

BLUEZCATZ was founded in 1997 in Start, Louisiana by three friends; Joe Grissom (Drums, vox, hell-yeahs), Eddie Word (Lead Vocals, Bass), Gray Martin (Guitar, Vox), who share a true love and passion for blues and rock music.

The band plays a high energy mix of traditional and modern blues, classic rock, Country, Memphis Soul, as well as numerous originals.
Since their inception they've played hundreds of shows across northern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, highlights including opening shows for Charlie Daniels and T Graham Brown, and playing The Depot in Clarksdale, MS where Muddy Waters caught a train to Chicago. The band is now back after an extended hiatus, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to hear about their return!!

Join us in welcoming BluezCatz to the ORBS Blues Jam!!

-Ira Barger
Vice President
Ouachita River Blues Society

📣 **Big News from the Ouachita River Blues Society (ORBS)**🎸🎹🎙️

We’re thrilled to unveil our schedule of ORBS supported blues events for the second half of 2024. Mark your calendars to experience incredible live shows, community gatherings, and soul-stirring blues. Stay tuned for updates and special ticket announcements.👏👏

Thank you to our loyal members for your support. Let’s keep the blues alive together!🩵

🎷🎶

Lincoln Parish Museum & Historical Society, Ouachita Live, Dixie Center for the Arts, Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe, NELA Music Awards, Krewe of Janus, D.K. Harrell, Music City Studios LLC, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MUSIC TRAIL, KEDM Public Radio, B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, Downtown West Monroe, The Blues Foundation, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council

We’re excited about tonight’s Strauss Theatre Center June Tunes concert featuring Nikki Hill! Local talent Bethany Raybourn will open this show. There are still a few seats left so go by the box office or visit the link in the comments to purchase your tickets.

🎶 Nikki Hill is an original force in American music. She is tender and tough, flamboyant, witty and dangerous. To put it plainly, Hill brings daggers back to the stage and studio. Overlapping soulful, sensual and bold vocal tones with powerful chrome-plated riffs and swagger, her voice finds a home in it – a soul singing, bar rocking, roots revivalist, that writes with frank self-reflection at a dancing tempo. Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, Hill picks up influence from living along the legendary Mississippi River – in St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, and currently Memphis, Tennessee.

🎶Born and raised in NELA, singer-songwriter Bethany Raybourn learned to sing and developed an interest in playing and performing music in the church as a child and through lessons passed on to her from family. After years of singing, playing guitar and drums in church, she set out to channel her honed skills into original artistic expression, writing original songs in her late teens. In the early aughts, she played with local indie rock bands and as a solo artist, while still maintaining rootsy Americana style, both of which are still the groundwork for her creative expression musically today.

Blues Fans — It’s not every day we have the 2023 International Blues Challenge winner and Best Guitarist Award winner performing for our community! 🎶🎸👏Tonight’s Ouachita Live show has moved to JAC’s Craft Snokehouse, 401 Trenton Street in Downtown West Monroe. Rain is expected to arrive but that won’t stop the fun! Mathias Lattin and his band are here and the show will go on.💙 JAC’s will be serving food until 9 PM and they’ll be serving wine and beer.

Milestone Moment!! 🎉💙🎶 ORBS is now officially an affiliate of the prestigious Blues Foundation in Memphis! We’re thrilled to be a part of this global network after working for over a year to meet their rigorous affiliation requirements. This means our nonprofit can now sponsor our winning blues challenge acts to compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis!👏👏

The Blues Foundation acts as an umbrella to approximately 200 affiliate blues societies around the world. Louisiana currently only has one other affiliate society, the New Orleans Blues Society.

Local blues societies such as ORBS host challenge competitions in which musicians compete on a regional level for a chance to compete at the annual International Blues Challenge (IBC) in January 2025.

ORBS will host our local challenge this September. The challenge is open to the public and all musical acts who wish to compete are eligible within one of three performance categories: Band, Solo/Duo, and Youth. Stay tuned here for info about the challenge as it’s released.

Our Board President, D.K. Harrell, is a shining example of what winning the IBC can do for a musician’s career. D.K. was a previous IBC winner representing the Indianola Blues Society in Mississippi.

Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MUSIC TRAIL, Krewe of Janus, Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe, KEDM Public Radio

Congratulations to Doug Duffey for being honored on the latest installment of the NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MUSIC TRAIL today! Doug has been inducted into the National Blues Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Hall of Fame. We are grateful he calls northeast Louisiana home! 💙👏👏

Come celebrate with us tonight at Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe where Doug Duffey and BADD will play! 🎶🎹🎶🎹