MAY 18TH MUSIC & MARKET TO FEATURE WARREN STORM, WILLIE T AND CYPRESS IN DOWNTOWN OPELOUSAS

MAY 18TH MUSIC & MARKET TO FEATURE WARREN STORM, WILLIE T AND CYPRESS IN DOWNTOWN OPELOUSAS

(Opelousas, LA) — The sounds of Southwest Louisiana music and the flavors of homegrown vegetables reunite in downtown Opelousas Friday, May 18th for Music & Market. This Friday Music & Market welcomes the Swamp Pop sounds of Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress. Meanwhile, the featured vegetable is tomatoes.

A native of Vermillion Parish, Warren Storm is known to many as the Godfather of Swamp Pop. In 1952, Storm made his musical debut in 1952 when he sat in for his father on a dance job. He became one of the most sought-after session drummers in South Louisiana before he recorded The Prisoner’s Song as his first single in 1958. The record sold a quarter-million copies and soon became the prototype swamp pop song. During his career, Storm has been responsible for dozens of national and regional hit records. As the “in house” drummer for Jay Miller studios in Crowley, Louisiana, Storm played on numerous Blues hits with the likes of Lightning Slim, Slim Harpo, Carol Fran and many others.

The Cypress Band featuring Warren Storm & Willie Tee originated in 1980. They had their own weekly television show on station KADN on Saturday afternoons. Although the band broke up in 1984, Warren & Willie Tee continued working together as guests with other bands. In 2004 they decided to reform the Cypress Band and began another era of their music. In September, Warren Storm was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed. The remaining spring 2012 lineup will feature Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys on May 25th at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion.

This event is presented by City of Opelousas Tourism with support from St. Landry Homestead, Delta Media, Acadiana Council for the Arts (ACA), LA Division of the Arts, Union Pacific Railroad, Delta Media Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, Louisiana Lottery, Shop Rite, IESI, American Bank, Bodemuller the Printer and Cleco.
For more information, call 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com