Ferriday Delta Music Festival kicks off today

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 4, 2009

FERRIDAY — Whether you’re a little country or a little rock-n-roll, and the eighth annual Delta Music Festival in Ferriday will have something for you today.

Located on Louisiana Avenue, which has been closed off to traffic for the goings-on, the festival will feature performances by eight musical acts and the induction of musician Johnny Rivers into the Delta Music Hall of Fame.

The festival will also have a number of vendors, selling things ranging from food to arts and crafts and games.

Email newsletter signup

Rivers, who was raised in Baton Rouge, recorded his first single in 1957 for the Natchez-based Suede Records label.

The producer of a Grammy-winning record, “Up, Up and Away,” Rivers had nine top 10 hits, including the No. 1 hit “Poor Side of Town” and the song “Secret Agent Man.”

The induction ceremony will begin at 1:20 p.m.

Rivers will not be present because of a scheduling conflict.

He previously accepted his award March 20 in Baton Rouge, a ceremony that was taped and will be played in the Delta Music Museum during the festival.

The festival begins at 9 a.m. with a performance by Gonzales musician Jerad Perck.

Other performances include:

-From 10:10 to 10:40 a.m., Paul Southerland and Hannah Belle.

-From 10:50 to 11:20 a.m., Wayside.

-From 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Y.Z. Ealy and Band.

-From 12:25 to 1:20 p.m., Rendez-vous.

-From 1:40 to 2:40 p.m., Avery Michaels and Exit 209.

-From 2:50 to 4:30 p.m., Todd Martin and the Memphis Mafia Showband.

Daylong admission for those age 6 and older is $3.