News - #8 MAY, 1997

"Where's My Newsletter?" If you want to receive every newsletter, remember to send a $2 donation, if you haven't already. You can also access the newsletter for free on our Internet web page or by e-mail (Schwarzy@aol.com). Festival Season is Here! After a relatively relaxing Spring, the band is back burnin' rubber and jet fuel. From April to June, we're gigging with unprecedented fervor through 18 states. Catch us if you can! Friday At Last Hits the Streets! WOW! What a response for our new record! From the sold-out release party at the Liberty Theatre in Eunice, to the strong endorsement by disc jockeys all across Acadiana, to major press in Lafayette and New Orleans, we're a bit overwhelmed! OffBeat Magazine ventures that the record "may be the story of the year in Cajun music." New Friday at Last T-Shirt We liked Soozi's cover painting on the record so much, we decided to make a new t-shirt from it! If you liked our Trace of Time t-shirt a couple years back, you'll love this one. And, by popular demand, we're adding small and medium sizes to the inventory. So head over to the Mamou Playboutique for all your Friday at Last! supplies. "You met Merle Haggard?" After the big Crawfish Festival in Chalmette April 6th, Peter and David checked out the Merle Haggard show at the House of Blues. Thanks to Melissa and Abe Manuel, they ended up sitting in the bus with the man himself. What an honor! Merle's voice is strong and rich, his songs still speak deep from the heart. The Manuel brothers put on quite a show behind Merle. Thanks again Abe! We'll get your amp out of your car anytime! The Other Merle The Merle Watson Festival is a super-picker's mecca! We started off our visit at North High School in Hays, NC as part of the festival's Outreach program. From the first note, the bleachers wiggled with noise and energy. We even got them singing "Allons Danser!" Later at the festival it was a real thrill to hang with so many great musicians, like Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, etc. With the help of Donna the Buffalo friends Jim Miller and Tara Nevins, we rocked the Dance Tent. We don't need a fancy bus to play good music, right?( ...Actually, does anyone have a good deal on a bus? Our 190,000 miled mini-van is about to give out.) Recent Highlights? Festival International: The rain came but the crowd stayed. Impressive! Jazz Fest: CC Adcock and Jimmie Wood helped us turn it up a notch! The Austin Music Awards: Steve met Mike Judge (creator of Beavis & Butthead) and gawked at Uma Thurman. In Atlanta, we found that our sound man, Geoff, really could play the bass. Peter's been practicing ever since. How about that guy from American Airlines who put us in First Class! Marksville: Eddie Raven and Jo El Sonnier sitting in. A Jambalaya jam! -Sincerely, The Mamou Playboys back to news