River Road leads Music & Market to downtown Opelousas

    Downtown Opelousas will be the setting for the Oct. 21 edition of Music & Market in Opelousas where recent Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee, River Road, will perform. The event takes place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with music beginning at 6 p.m. at the Courthouse Square located at 118 S. Court Street. 

River Road

    River Road was an American country music band composed of Tony Ardoin (guitar, vocals), Mike Burch (drums, vocals), Richard Comeaux (steel guitar), Steve Grisaffe (lead vocals, bass guitar), and Charles Ventre (keyboards, vocals). Founded in 1989, the band signed to Capitol Records Nashville in 1997, releasing their self-titled debut album that year and charting three singles on the Billboard country charts, including the #37-peaking "Nickajack". 

    By 1998, River Road had transferred to Virgin Records Nashville and recorded "Somethin' in the Water". While on Virgin, the band began work on its second studio album, with its lead-off single "Breathless" charting as well. 

    Virgin Nashville was dissolved by the end of the year, however, and "Somethin' in the Water" was never released. Also in 2000, after four Billboard chart singles and five Country Music Television videos, River Road disbanded with each member going in different directions. 

    In April of 2010, River Road once again came together for a reunion at Cowboys Night Club in Scott, Louisiana. After a very successful evening, River Road had a meeting and the decision was made to resurrect the super group. Calls were made and Nashville responded with new material and a new CD. The release date for this new 10-song release is slated for the beginning of 2011. 

    This week's featured vegetable at Music & Market is pumpkins. Other vegetables and agricultural commodities will be offered as well as cooked foods and arts and crafts. Ice chests are not allowed as beer, wine and soft drinks along with bottled water are sold on site. Bring your lawn chairs for this free event. 

    The fall series is made possible with the support of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, CLECO, Walmart Supercenter, American Bank, St. Landry Homestead Bank, Centerpoint Energy, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Quik Quarter, Delta Media Network, and St. Landry Parish Government. 

    For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, contact City of Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com