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It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to our dear friend, Spider. A long time patron and performer at the Blue Moon, one would always leave a “Spider conversation” with a huge smile (and a slightly confused looked) on their face. Always greeting Mark at the Moon with his notorious one-liner, “Hey Hey! Uh, it’s a hostile environment over here!” Spider had a kind and beautiful soul. His presence will forever be missed. Rest in peace Spidy. “True story”.
The first words Milton “Spider” Guidry ever spoke to me were in a crowd at South by Southwest in 2005. “Hey, Nick, you know what they say about me? I’m a little shakey,” he said as he laughed and shook a shaker egg – an oval percussion instrument similar to a maraca. That’s the way I will always remember Spider: rolling off one liners – some great, others groan inducing – and speaking to you as if he had known you all his life. On Saturday, August 16, Guidry passed away in California after suffering either a stroke or heart attack, according to his sister Jill Guidry.
Guidry, 61, had family in California but was 100 percent a Lafayette character – even called the Cajun Kramer by some for his similarity to the Seinfeld character. Something of a mascot – and sometimes rub board player -for local bands, he could be seen at all kind of local shows and even touring with bands such as Terrance Simien and Lil’ Band O’ Gold. A performer in his own right, Guidry did a Vegas-style lounge act under the name Your Pal Spidey that combined his humor and another love: Frank Sinatra, who he bragged about seeing live on a couple occasions. He also hosted “Saints Line”on AOC, discussing his love for the Black and Gold. It’s fitting that one of his last actions may have been watching the Saints beat the Titans as he is thought to have called his brother to find a place to watch the game.
Jill Guidry notes a memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 30th, but no time or place had been chosen. She and her family wishes to thank the outpouring of sympathy for Spider on social media. “We appreciate their kindness and their stories of Milt’s life. We knew Milt knew a lot of people, but didn’t realize it was to this magnitude. We are reading condolences on Facebook from a number of people that his mom and siblings don’t know. My brother-in-law, Craig, who died of lymphoma 5 years ago, always called him ‘The Mayor’ of Lafayette.”
True story.
It’s pretty much official, and has been for quite some time. Acadiana on any given weekend (even without a festival) has over 50 live music shows in a weekend on an easy average. It is pretty much getting to the point that you could probably find some live music during a hurricane in Lafayette, LA.
From Metal, to Zydeco, to Indie, Country, Acoustic shows, Great Restaurant Trio Setups, Blues, Dance Clubs, Cajun, French, Folk Brunches, Favorite 80 – 90′s rock covers we have it all, and it seems to be growing every day! If you love live music, you are probably smiling while reading this. But it is literally true; if there is a weekend in Acadiana with nothing happening, we create one. We even experienced a dance off to “Beat It” this weekend at Scandals. At Live And Local, we can’t be any happier to be the source for live music in this awesome area for bringing you the sounds you love. If you live here, you have been influenced in some way by live music. And if you are moving here, you will.
Thank you to all local live music fans, people, booking managers, sound engineers, bartenders, owners, and best of all musicians for making this area what it is. Because “It is what it is” Because of you!
See you on the “List of the Week” to find all thats happening in Acadiana! And Musicians we invite you any day at any time to add your own shows to the calendar by scrolling to the bottom and hitting “add your event” The second you add it your info, it is there. Click here
- 22nd July 2014
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Southern Living magazine just recognized the Blue Moon Saloon as one of the 100 Best Bars in the South.
According to the magazine’s website, “We sipped our way through the South to compile a list of our 100 favorite Southern bars. From down-and-dirty dives to sleek and buzzy cocktail lounges, these spots are sure to liven up any Friday night.”
Actually, the Blue Moon keeps it lively Wednesdays through the weekend.
“It didn’t start off with any big, grand plan but it’s just kind of grown,” said Mark Falgout, Blue Moon owner. “It’s like watching a family member grow up. It’s just evolved over time, and it’s grown organically to fit what the needs of what our customers and the community are looking for.”
The Moon, as it’s known locally, opened in 2001 as a hostel and the saloon side came along a little later.
“I think it’s just giving the folks what they want. It started off with an idea that I just hoped I would find like-minded people,” Falgout said. “I think the community’s embraced it and it’s kind of evolved over the years.
“And it’s just a really comfortable place to hang out,” he said.
But the accolades for the Moon have been coming.
Just last month, the International Trade Development Group, the advisory board to Le Centre International de Lafayette, presented the Moon with the International Achievement Award.
The award, which will be presented during Festival International de Louisiane, honors an individual, company or organization where lasting impact has enhanced the international reputation of Acadiana by driving economic development, tourism, art, music or goodwill ambassadorship.
And in December of last year at the Downtown Lafayette Awards, the Moon took Best Place to Stay Downtown and the Best Place to Experience Live Music Downtown.
“It’s a pretty unique situation that we have. Not in just Lafayette, but in most places. We’re kind of a little neighborhood bar that turned into a kind of a world-renowned roots music venue,” said Falgout. “And you mix in the international component with the Guest House right there, you don’t find that in many places.
“It’s a place where pirates from around the corner and around the world can gather and tell stories and have a beer and listen to great music,” Falgout said.
http://www.theadvertiser.com/viewart/20140205/ACADIANA01/302050015/Blue-Moon-gets-nod-best-southern-bar
- 6th February 2014
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The International Trade Development Group, the advisory board to Le Centre International de Lafayette announced this year’s International Achievement Award will be given to bed-and-breakfast owners of Acadiana. The IAA was established in 1998 to honor an individual, company, or organization where lasting impact has enhanced the international reputation of Acadiana in a way driving economic development, tourism, art, music or goodwill ambassadorship.
“We are honored to recognize these Acadiana bed-and-breakfasts for their significant contribution to Acadiana’s reputation as a very hospitable and joyous place to visit. For many international travelers, B&Bs are the initial welcoming door to our culture, tourism and way of life,” said Leslee Haseltine, IAA chairwoman during the award announcement presentation on Jan. 16.
“Many have welcomed guests from Canada, the U.K., France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Greece, China, South America, Australia, the Caribbean and the Philippines,” added Haseltine. B&B owners reported 30-98 percent of their total occupancy is comprised of international guests — Cajun hospitality and foreign language skills of many B&B owners is attractive to international guests choosing to visit Acadiana.
2014’s IAA presentation will take place at the Festival International reception sponsored by Lafayette Economic Development Authority in the lobby of IberiaBank at 200 West Congress St. Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 P.M.
Honorees include:
Aaah! T’Frere’s House B&B (Lafayette)
Acadian Bed & Breakfast (Lafayette)
Bayou Cabins (Breaux Bridge)
Blue Moon Saloon and Guest House (Lafayette)
Bois des Chenes Bed & Breakfast (Lafayette)
Cajun Country Cottages B&B (Breaux Bridge)
Le Village Guesthouse (Eunice)
Lee Avenue Carriage House (Lafayette)
Maison D’Memoire B&B Cottages (Rayne)
The Savoy Bed & Breakfast (Scott)
- 4th February 2014
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When you work, live or spend any time in Downtown Lafayette, you quickly learn the convenience and fun that surrounds you just a few steps away from wherever you are. Every Downtowner has a favorite restaurant, bar or even a little secret Downtown spot that they love! You have voted to show those people and businesses how much you appreciate their contribution to making Downtown and Lafayette a cooler, cultural hub for our region! Recently at the Downtown Lafayette Awards presentations, the Blue Moon Saloon & Guest House won two awards! We would like to thank everyone that participated and voted for us.
Be.
Best Place to Stay Downtown: Blue Moon Saloon & Guest House
Do.
Best Place to Experience Live Music Downtown: Blue Moon Saloon & Guest House
http://www.klfy.com/story/24037575/downtown-lafayette-award-winners-revealed
- 15th December 2013
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Jesse started playing music when he was 15 down in Beaumont TX where I was born. Lot’s of honky tonk music, R&B and of course Cajun music cuz we we’re so close to the Louisiana border. “My Dad went to high school w/ George Jones, seem like there was always music some country music singer from Texas be it Jones, Willie or Lefty Frizzell playing a show in town. 1st concert I ever went to was at a drive-in to the see the Possum and he didn’t show up…No Show Jones! ha ha My brother was also close friends w/ the late great blues promoter Clifford Antone who owned Antones Blues Club in Austin. Cliffords family was from Port Arthur, right next to Beaumont, so of course at a very young age he was bringing old Gulf Coast blues records like Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester…I couldn’t have been more than 15”.
Jesse goes on to reveal he never thought in a million years he would end up playing w/ some of his heroes. “I was in Nashville, (which I just didn’t fit in at all), doing this TV show called Crook and Chase w/ Kris Kristofferson. All the Highway Men we’re watching Kris so they saw me as well. Next morning I gotta phone call from Waylon saying he’d cut his hand cooking w/ Jesse Colter and he saw me on the show and would I come down and play guitar for him in the studio that day. So I blew off my plane flight back to Austin and went to the studio and Johnny Cash opened the door and said “are you the youngun’ from Texas? Come on in!” My mouth dropped!” After Jesse played guitar on the next Waylon record and went straight to LA and did a record w/ Ray Price. The gigs just kept coming.
It’s been a couple of years since ole JD could return to the Blue Moon because he has been making feature films. “I did 3 films w/ Rob Zombie, then I wrote and directed my new film which was primarily shot in New Orleans. The film went to Cannes, (out of competition), and sold, so we’re all pretty happy about that. Now I can get back to doing my 1st love, music. We always throw in some Cajun country songs anyway, so the Blue Moon audience who usually hears alot of zydeco and Cajun rock and traditional Cajun really digs hearing our Cajun honky tonk songs. We just finished some West Coast shows that we’re awesome and just got back from playing over in Europe as well. I love making films but there’s nothing better than being onstage, making music in front of people, it’s everything to me.”
Jesse also goes on to fill us in saying “2014 my film Zombex comes out w/ the soundtrack that I did. Will be alot of promotion for that I’m sure. Comic Con, film festivals, you name it. I’ll be bringing the band w/ me to play shows as well. Gonna be crazy!” Lots to look forward to!
We were even curious if he had any advice for any people in the Blue Moon Nation thinking of becoming musicians. JD had a lil slice of advice to share with all of us! “If you’re thinking about getting into the music biz you might wanna have a real heart to heart w/ yourself in the mirror. It’s not an easy life. I’ve been lucky. Of course I prepared for all these opportunities since I was a kid. But if you’re into music for the fame, you might wanna stay in school. This business tends to weed out people who aren’t lifers pretty quick. It’s not about the pot of gold, it’s about the journey. If you wanna be a musician, you won’t really have in choice anyway. It’s a higher calling that will not let you give up. Nothing I can say matters anyway, the answers are all inside yourself.”
Well, Jesse, we would like to thank you for your continuous performances at the Blue Moon Saloon and thank you for being our featured artist of the month for November!
Erin grew up in Monroe, Louisiana where she had a promising career in scooping ice cream and teenage angst. She moved to Lafayette in 2005 to study French at UL and has stuck around pretty much ever since. Soon after arriving, she wandered into the Blue Moon for the first time for a Cajun jam because she heard it was a “really cool bar in the middle of a neighborhood and people speak French there”. Now she can safely assume if someone recognizes her from somewhere, it’s probably from partying at the Moon. She can typically be seen here pulling up on her bike for Tuesday night yoga, or fan-girling at the front of the stage for Feufollet. She also performs at the Blue Moon on occasion as Lafayette’s favorite go-go dancer with her band Isle Dernière.
Her favorite things about Blue Moon are purse hooks under the bar and $1 Schlitz. She would also like to shout out to Nicole and Mark being two of Lafayette’s biggest supporters of French in Louisiana. Erin’s favorite bands are Mates of State and Neutral Milk Hotel. Her hobbies include sending post cards, playing accordion while no one is around to hear, and collecting miniature versions of regular-sized things. She enjoys sitting on roofs and in big windows, riding in trains, Godard movies, exotic fruit and vintage clothing. Erin is also a total geek for translating, and hopes to one day ride in a hot air balloon.
- 12th November 2013
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- 15th September 2013
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Since summer is coming to an end we needed a special fan of the month for you guys. So we gladly present to you our August Fan of the Month Mr. Jon-Erik Joseph Rodrigue! Jon-Erik is from Larose, La. And he works in the oil field. His favorite music comes out of our own beautiful state, these bands include: The Dad Horse Experience, Dax Riggs, Brother Dege, Bipoloroid, King Louis Missing Monuments, Those Poor Bastards, Rachel Brooke, Tess Brunet, Saul Williams, Tom Waits, & Marc Bolan. Just too name a few. Jon-Erik enjoys passing his time by playing around with a lot of different instruments. He currently owns a banjo, acoustic guitar and home made electric diddley bow (WOW). His other hobbies entail trying to juggle life between his wife and two beautiful daughters along with the music he loves is about all he can make time for. Oh and sports! He is a proud member of the Who Dat Nation! Cant forget to show some love to the Pelicans as well. “The first time I went to the blue moon was a few years ago with my friend Jake to see Dax Riggs and I just fell in love with the atmosphere of the place. Love the fact that the bands basically play on your back porch and most of the time stay at the blue moon after playing. My favorite part of the whole experience is that there are so many different types of bands/artists that play there and the people are so friendly.” Well Jon-Erik we want to thank you for such kind words and thank you for all your support over the years. WE LOVE YOU JON-ERIK RODRIGUE!!
July is an explosive month and with that being said we needed an explosive fan of the month! And without further delay we present to you Mr. Edward Cutrer Watson! Ed was born and raised here in Lafayette on what used to be the south side but is now mid city. He has been living walking distance from The Moon for years though making skipping out on events at the Blue Moon near impossible. Edward enjoys a wide variety of music and jams music like ABBA to Zappa, although he says old traditional Cajun music is nice, so is the Grateful Dead! Let it be known that Edward is also a pretty kick ass cook! He loves to travel as much as possible with MLS and catch Furthur shows in Colorado and San Francisco area. For those of you that don’t know Furthur is made up of the surviving Grateful Dead members and a few of their friends just doing their thing! But according to him “everyone needs a little Black Sabbath in their lives!” Ed has worked offshore since 1990 and loves it! Any water sports like wake skating or wake boarding. There is also no better way to pass the time than Duck hunting in Gueydan at the Honey Hole or waiting for a fish to bite. Cold local beer, good food, and close friends are necessities for a good time. The first show he ever saw at the Blue Moon was the Weary Boys back when The Moon first opened. “I love the fact I live close but so there are no DUI to worry about!;)) Close nit and personal is the best part if the moon!” “Get outside people and do something! Love to travel too!! Peace and love brah!” We also cant forget to mention that “Grateful Ed” likes to run the roads of the Blue Moon with his trusty partner in crime and mutt, Stella, who is probably more recognizable than he is! Well Mr. Ed we are honored to have you in our hall of fame with all the other stellar Fans of the Month and we cant wait to have you back inside our doors. WE LOVE YOU EDWARD WATSON!
