The Bluebirds,
who have been performing for 20 years, will celebrate the group’s
long tenure, June 10 in concert at the historic Municipal Auditorium
located at 705 Elvis Presley Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The group will feature a special guest, Bluebirds’ original
drummer Brady Blade, Jr. The concert doors open at 6 p.m.
Other special
guests joining the Bluebirds for a 30-minute will be the show's
producer, Rev. Eddie Giles and legendary Shreveport soul singer
Dori Grayson. Miki Honeycutt will sing “River of People”,
and Pastor B.L. Blade will also sing a song backed by the Bluebirds.
The Bluebirds
were formed in May 1986 and their first performance was at the
now defunct Humpfrees in the Square in Shreveport. Buddy Flett,
Bruce Flett, and Brady Blade, Jr practiced for a month working
up original songs written by Buddy. Blues, Rockabilly, Swamp Rock,
and Funky Soul were on the minds and in the souls of these musicians.
Little did they know that Blade would leave them in Shreveport
and go on to play with Chaka Khan, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle,
Bob Dylan, Jewel, Dave Mathews, the Indigo Girls, and many more.
Brady currently lives in Sweden and is returning briefly with
his young son to visit his parents, Pastor and Mrs. B. L. Blade,
Sr., Pastor Blade is the Minister of Zion Baptist Church in Shreveport.
The other Blade son, Brian, is now a world class jazz drummer.
Although the
Bluebirds are not a gospel group, they will be performing songs
that are of a gospel/spiritual nature. The Bluebirds were thinking
of where and exactly when to hold a 20th Anniversary special show
and asked Municipal Auditorium executive director Johnny Wessler
if the Municipal would be available. Wessler responded that the
“Gospel Caravan” was booked for the night of June
10, so the Bluebirds were asked to open the show! Eddie Giles
has long been one of the Bluebirds' favorite people in town dating
back to 1967 when he had his own band, the Jive Five and a hit
record "I'm a Losin' Boy". Giles personally invited
the Bluebirds to open the show and the Bluebirds were honored
indeed! June 10 just happens to be the one night this summer Brady
Blade, Jr. is going to be in Shreveport. It seems righteous, maybe
even destined to be.
This show will also be a special tribute to Willie 'Cave Man'
Harris, the drummer for Eddie G and the Jive Five. Reverend Eddie
Giles will be debuting his new song, "I'm Heaven Bound",
which features the music of "I'm A Losing Boy" with
new gospel lyrics.
The Bluebirds
current lineup is Buddy Flett on guitars and vocals, Bruce Flett
on bass and vocals, and Kevin Smith on drums. For more info on
the Bluebirds, check their website at www.thebluebirds.com or
www/thebluebirds.net. Bio material is available in the "About"
folder.
The Bluebirds
have just released their first DVD, "The Bluebirds “1996
in Europe" filmed in August 1996 near Brussels, Belgium with
Buddy, Bruce and Kevin while touring promoting their second album,
"South from Memphis". The DVD is a limited edition release
in conjunction with their 20th anniversary celebration, especially
since it was a performance that was close to the 10th Anniversary
of the band.
Doors open
at 6pm. General adult admission tickets are $10 and $5 for children
and seniors. This concert is being presented by The Radio Group
and Friends of Municipal.
