Blue Monday Mission:
Where Music, Community, and Compassion Harmonize
Welcome to Blue Monday, a harmonious gathering of souls who love good food, great music, and giving back to a tremendous cause. Brought to you by Love of People, this event is not just a celebration; it's a heartfelt mission to provide life-care services for our beloved aging, retired, and elder musicians and artists.
Love of People and Blue Monday Lights Up Lafayette
In the heart of Lafayette, Louisiana, Blue Monday graces us once a quarter with its presence. It's a celebration of the magic of music, the treasure trove of Acadiana's musical legends, and a warm, home-cooked vibe that only Lafayette locals can deliver. As the sun dips below the horizon, we kick off early evening show hours that allow the whole community to revel in the spirit of the occasion.
More Than Music - A Movement of Compassion
At Blue Monday, we're more than a concert series; we're a community movement powered by volunteers, sponsors, and donors. It's their unwavering dedication that helps us bring the best to every corner of our community. Our extended musical family, including renowned guest artists, blesses us with unforgettable performances. Impromptu appearances and collaborations transform every quarter into an extraordinary night.
Every Little Bit Helps
As we gather under the soulful notes of jazz, blues, and everything in between, we invite you to join us. Your presence at Blue Monday is a testament to your support for our elder artists. But if you're willing and able your donations, no matter the amount, become the heartstrings of our mission. Every little bit helps to create a harmonious future for our cherished musicians and artists.
Save the Date and Share the Love
Mark your calendar and bring your friends and family to Blue Monday. Let's dine on the mouthwatering Blue Plate special dinner, savor the melodies of Acadiana's finest, and stand together in support of our Blue Monday Mission artists.
Learn More About Blue Monday Mission
Join the Movement:
Attend, Donate, and Make a Difference
Learn More
Let's Get Social
Join us as we kick off a musical journey like no other.
The Blue Monday Mission is about to set the stage on fire, and we want you to be in the front row!
🤩 Follow us on Facebook and be the very first to know when our next Blue Monday Jam will drop. But that's not all! We've got an entire orchestra of events lined up around Acadiana, and we're ready to share them with you.
🎤 Get ready to groove, sway, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Be part of the music, be part of the mission, and be the first to know!
Follow Us and Stay in the Groove!"]
**🎶 Unleash the Rhythm of Acadiana! 🎷
Blue Monday Memories
Meet The Blue Monday House Band
Lee Allen Zeno
Bass
Lee Allen Zeno grew up immersed in the Louisiana music scene. Having demonstrated a natural ability to cross the genres of blues, zydeco, gospel, country and soul music, Lee Allen became an in-demand bass player while still in his teens. Perhaps best known for his long tenure as the bass player for the Buckwheat Zydeco band, Zeno has also worked extensively as a session player, having recorded with Dalton Reed, Charlie Rich, Guitar Shorty, Lil’ Brian Terry, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Jean Knight, Major Handy, Archie Bell, Barbara Lynn, Bobby Allen, Willie Cobbs, Leon Sam, Henry Gray, Lazy Lester, Chick Willis and many others. Lee can be found at various clubs from Lafayette to New Orleans, laying down grooves with Roddie Romero, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Major Handy, Zydeco Ray & the Creole Knight Riders, Henry Gray, as well as the Rue Boogaloo band, with Marty Christian. He also performed several times with two of our late heroes, Lil Buck Senegal and Carol Fran.
Steve Adams
Drums
One word best describes New Orleans native and soul man Steve Adams... Mojo! Steve Adams has built quite the network over the years. Both a supreme vocalist and drummer, Steve Adams musical path spans several decades performing and sharing the stage and studio with several of Louisiana's greatest artists. Steve Adams has fronted for several legendary Louisiana bands including TK Hulin and The Boogie Kings. Adding to his impressive list, he has also played alongside Ernie K-Doe, Jessie Hill, Erma Thomas, Tommy Ridgley, Oliver Morgan, and Alan Toussaint. These days it's hard to mention Steve Adams without mentioning bass player and partner in crime Bill "Wild Bucky Brown" LeBlanc. Having been steeped in a lifetime of muddy water along with their prodigious musical knowledge, these two gentlemen have undoubtedly developed one of the strongest rhythm sections the south has ever seen. It's hard to play this many years with afore mentioned talent and not conjure up a lifetime of mojo and soul.
Jill Butler
Keys
Jill Butler Merkl (aka “Jilly Jill” per Lee Allen Zeno!) combines soulful and sultry in a double threat combo of keyboard and vocal talent. This Jackson, MS native hails from deep musical roots – her father is a notable Nashville/Muscle Shoals R&B producer and one of the original owners of Malaco Records and her mother is a professional jazz crooner. Jill has been performing from a very early age with her family in venues across the country to hone in on her unique blues and jazz style. Once she moved to Louisiana, she was quick to latch onto the music scene and find her niche. Jill has performed with globally acclaimed Ellis Hall (of Tower of Power), Bob James and ECP Jazz Cruises, Atlanta Billboard jazz artist Dee Lucas, Myron Phauster, JALC’s Wess Anderson, Jamey Aebersold, and many of the brightest stars in Louisiana to include Connie G, Major Handy, Robert Richard, Mickey Smith, JB Saax, noteworthy Blue Monday featured artists Carol Fran, Marc Broussard, Roddie Romero, Michael Juan Nunez among many others. In addition to Blue Monday Allstars, you can catch Jill performing actively with The Collective Jazz Project and Smooth Like That. Jill recently had the privilege of performing on behalf of the legendary Carol Fran in AcA’s “Femme” tribute for Louisiana trailblazing female musicians.
Kent August
Guitar
August grew up in a small community called Bristol, in the state of Louisiana. Under the influence of his uncle, he began playing the guitar at the age of nine. During his teenage years, he worked with local r&b and top 40 cover bands. A few years later, he began recording and touring with various Louisiana bands, including Buckwheat, Rockin’ Sidney, Terrence Simien, Rosie Ledet, Keith Frank, Geno Delafose, Zydeco Force, and Beau Jocque. He has worked throughout the U.S., Western Europe, and Canada; performing r&b, zydeco, blues, jazz, and rock. His own group has been the opening act and/or back-up band for some of the biggest names in blues and r&b, including the late Bobby “Blue” Bland, Betty Wright, Marvin Sease, Little Johnny Taylor, Bobby Marchan, Tabby Thomas, Barbara Lynn, Patrick Henry and the LB Band, Kenny Wayne Landry, Lil’ Falley, and many more. He has performed at festivals that featured major stars, such as the late James Brown, Kool and the Gang, Morris Day and the Time, The Gap Band, Irma Thomas, the Neville brothers, and Elvin Bishop.
Blue Monday Allstars
Auxillary Members Who Can Be Seen At Many A Jam Sesh
Tony Goula
Guitar
Tony Goulas has grown his talent as an accomplished guitarist /singer/songwriter on stages from California to Florida and Canada to Louisiana. He's shared the stage with well-known blues, funk and soul acts such as Ohio Players, Edgar and Johnny Winter, Stone City Band, The Mary Jane Girls, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, 3 Dog Night, The Grass Roots and The Boogie Kings. He's also performed live and as a session guitarist for various nationally known R&B, Blues and Gospel acts over the last thirty years. He also has his own musical accomplishments and through that has gained the respect of many in the industry and a fan base across the globe. In 2012 he released a solo original project, "Every Room Is Blue". In February 2011, Tony Goulas was recognized as a Grammy award winner for song writing on Chubby Carrier's hit "Zydeco Junkie". In 2014 Tony was inducted into The Louisiana Musicians Hall of Fame for his work with The Fabulous Boogie Kings.
Ron Eades
Saxophone
Ron Eades lived in Muscle Shoals, AL, and was a founding member of the Muscle Shoals Horns. While primarily a studio musician he toured extensively with Elton John in the mid-70s, playing on the famed "Philadelphia Freedom" recording, which also featured John Lennon. His saxophone can be heard on the recordings of Joe Cocker, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Delbert McClinton and many others. Later in the 70s, the Muscle Shoals Horns released three albums of their own compositions which capitalized on the disco dance craze, and toured opening for groups such as Parliament-Funkadelic. Ron had performed with over 400 artists by 1981. These included such legendary talents as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, The Oak Ridge Boys, Candy Staton, The Osmonds, Bob Dillon, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Rod Steward, Barbara Mandrell, and Dolly Parton. Ronnie recalls a time when the Muscle Shoals Horns were being heard on 5 hit records at the same time.
