By: Conner James - MSTv The capital city hosts its fourth year of the Bayou Country Superfest this weekend to LSU's Tiger stadium. As expected, several of the biggest names in the genre will be headlining the event. Fans can expect the likes of Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Darrius Rucker and Luke Bryant to be hitting the main stage. But of course, with this being Louisiana and all, the party doesn't stop at the stage. Fans can expect some serious tailgating, local music to sample and more food and drinks then can ever be wanted or needed by the most ravenous party-seekers. But, if you're new to the honky-tonk lifestyle and are feeling the call of the range, here's a little info to make the transition a little easier. Plus, if you're unfamiliar with Baton Rouge as well, below you'll find some tips to make your more rural adventure here a little easier too. Bayou Country Superfest is produced by Festival Productions, the same people who make the Jazz Fest a reality. But, BCS, unlike its bigger cousin, is only a one weekend event. Louisiana State University's (LSU) Tiger Stadium hosts the event and five artists per day hit the stage back-to-back. Just remember that there's no smoking in the stadium, but you can drink till you drop! And if you walk outside and that becomes vice-versa. If you hit town and want to get the party started early, "Fan Fest" begins at 11 a.m. and runs till the main event starts at 5 p.m. Fan Fest offers live music, food and drinks all day. Parking around the event, as expected, can be quite pricy. With prices ranging from $20 to $50, you might be faced with quite a trek to the stadium. Some hotels are offering shuttle services in coordination with the local transit system, CATS. Check with your specific hotel for availability. If you're looking to tie on the ole feed-bag, the event will be offering the old standbys in fest food. But, since this is being held on a college campus, multiple food offerings are available within walking distance. Examples include: Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar, Quizno's, CC's Coffeehouse, Hello Sushi, Highland Coffees, the Chimes, Reginelli's and several others. The lineup for Fan Fest on Saturday includes: the Chase Tyler Band at 11:30 a.m., Mark Adam Miller at 1:15 p.m. and Yvette Landry at 3 p.m. Sunday's lineup includes Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue at 11:30 a.m., the Kyle Turley Band at 1:15 p.m. and Jaryd Lane and The Parish at 3 p.m.
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Far to young to come to an end
By: Gere Iverson - MSTv He was only 34 years old when he was found dead in Atlanta; expired from an apparent drug overdose. The deceased name was Chris Kelly, but to millions of fans he was better known as "Mac Daddy," one-half of the youthful 90's rap group, Kris Kross. Kelly's death is just an additional notch to the number of rappers who've died from drug and/or health related causes in recent years. The list of names, as well as their causes of death is alarming. Since 2011, hip-pop pioneer Heavy D, singer and rap chorus specialist Nate Dogg and New York rapper Tim Dog all died of ailments in their 40s. Now, Chris Kelly was found dead last week in Atlanta at the tragic age of only 34. Some of the genre’s elder statesmen say they’re worried about the culture’s focus on youth, current emphasis on freewheeling partying and “you only live once” ethos, as popularized by Drake’s 2011 hit “The Motto.” (see below) “Hip-hop being a lifestyle culture ... a part of American culture, you have to be mindful that somebody is going to grow old, age,” said rap pioneer Melle Mel. “At some point somebody has to realize that hip-hop has to learn how to grow up. It’s way too juvenile and it’s been that way for too long. It’s not really worth it to literally party yourself to death. It’s like committing suicide,” he added. The 51-year-old rapper, who memorably warned in 1982’s “The Message” (see below) about urban youth who “lived so fast and died so young,” suffers chronic bronchitis from being around marijuana and cigarette smoke when he was performing.
But lifestyle can't claim all the blame in the deaths or health issues for those in hip-hop. Producer J Dilla (32) passed in 2006 from lupus and cancer killed rappers Guru (48) in 2010 and Beastie Boy, Adam Yauch (47) last year. Yet one of the most shocking incidents was this year's hospitalization of Lil' Wayne (30) for multiple seizures. The New Orleans native told a Los Angeles radio station in March that he’s an epileptic. Others in the hip-hop community have began to take notice and action as they enter their late 30s and 40s. Like any good performer, they've worked out how to keep the "illusion" solid as well as their health. Though reputed to having quit multiple times, Snoop Dogg (41) still smokes marijuana heavily. But, he's stopped drinking over six years ago. “I used to drink alcohol as a fashion statement and you’re just drinking because you’re drinking. I don’t do that anymore. I drink water or cranberry juice,” he said. “I’m not cheap. I just don’t want to do this to my body anymore. I want to survive.” With that line of thinking being more realistic, Wu-Tang Clan founder, RZA, believes urban culture has had trouble planning for the future since the 1980's. He posited, “They said we should be dead or in jail by the age of 25. And I think we live like that. But what happens when you make it past 25? What happens when you make it to 30? What happens when you make it to 40? Are you prepared for life now? What I want to tell the hip-hop generation out there is that: There’s a chance you’re going to become a man. Be prepared for it.” The elder statesmen today By: Gere Iverson - MSTv With four decades of soulful and pop sounds under their belts, legendary music duo, Darryl Hall and John Oates continue to peak in their careers. The Philadelphia based team, first formed in 1972, found universal acclaim in the 1980's when their original rock-soul style, morphed into the higher energy pop-music sound of the decade. Within their forty year span, the duo has created more hits then anyone can hardly count. But, fans and local music lovers alike might just get their chance to grab a more accurate tally as Hall & Oates make their New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival debut Sunday. “It’s something that Daryl and I have always wanted to do,” John Oates said. “I’ve never even been to Jazz Fest. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do. So I’m getting a two-fer here, playing and going at the same time, which is pretty great.” Oates, however won't just be stopping in the Crescent city for Jazz Fest and the food, he'll be gearing up to record music for his new project, Good Road to Follow. And to start, he'll be releasing new songs every month for a year, beginning in June with the song, “High Maintenance,” a collaboration with rising pop act Hot Chelle Rae. Oates finds it nearly fated that some of the music being used in his new project is being recorded in New Orleans, and by native artists. Being a fan of the city's unique music sound, Oates recalls his treasured record collection of New Orleans artists from his youth. “I have Fats Domino records, Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and the Clowns, Lee Dorsey, all that stuff,” he said. “It’s soul music. It’s unique regional American music that, unfortunately, doesn’t exist so much anymore. But in those days, every region of America had a sound. New Orleans’ sound was different from Memphis and Chicago, Detroit, Philly and New York. New Orleans just had a thing. I think it had a lot to do with the city’s jazz heritage and mixed cultures.” And with all the love Oates has for New Orleans, he promises that fans can expect nothing but the best, as far their as songs go, for the Jazz Fest crowd. The hits will be a playing - to keep it short.. “We have a good problem,” Oates said. “We have too many hits. I don’t say that in a boasting manner. It’s just a fact. Boasting or not, fans and music lovers alike can be assured a great show as Hall and Oates help bring another enjoyable Jazz Fest to a close. |