October 3rd, 4th & 5th in New Orleans

The StandellsThere was a time when popular music was distilled from desperation, striving, raw ambition and a healthy fear of the damnation of the Lord. Menace was in the air as the odds were damn near impossible to beat, getting out of the fields and into a Cadillac, proving to the world that toughness and talent could take a poverty-stricken kid to the bright lights of town. Songs with an edge, a secret code, a punk energy that is undeniable — that is the music of the Ponderosa Stomp. Be it soul singers, country creole, or young rock and rollers leading the way for the next generation to blossom in garages around the country, the music fanatics of the Stomp bulldoze the slick detritus of contemporary music to find the rawest, deepest stuff out there, simmering under the surface, waiting to be rediscovered before it’s too late. Artists who could nail vocal takes in the studio, without the benefit of auto-tune or even adequate microphones, were the order of the day, and they invented pop music. They are still out there among us, and the Stomp exists to celebrate these architects of American music.

The 2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival, including the Concert, Music History Conference, Hip Drop and Record Show, is scheduled to take place October 3rd — 5th, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The concert takes place at Rock n’ Bowlâ„¢ and includes many artists who no longer perform anywhere, including Chris Clark, the first white soul singer on Motown. Louisiana country soul man George Perkins, garage original Ty Wagner, and early rockers like Eddie Daniels and producer/songwriter/singer Boogaloo. Baby Washington and Maxine Brown slayed audiences at the Ponderosa Stomp at Lincoln Center two years ago, earning slots on the official festival this year while the 60’s Sunset Strip is represented by The Standells and The Sloths. The full line-up is below.

The 2013 Ponderosa Stomp Concert Line-Up:

Maxine Brown
Baby Washington
Chris Clark
Richard Caiton
Charles Brimmer
James Alexander
Lynn August
George Perkins
The Sloths
The Standells
Guanga Dyns
Ty Wagner
Gino Parks
Spencer Wiggins
Sonny Green
Bobby Parker
Bobby Crown
Eddie Daniels
Charlie Gracie
Boogaloo

The Ponderosa Stomp offers a variety of cool travel packages for these action packed days and nights of music, oral histories, dancing, and record trading with some of the best crate diggers around. To book your package or to inquire about hotel rates please call Louisiana Travel Services, toll free at (866) 655-1889, Monday — Friday, 8:30am — 5:30pm CST. You can also visit PonderosaStomp.com for more information.

The 2013 Ponderosa Stomp Festival Events:

October 3: The Hip Drop VI: The Official Pre-Stomp DJ All-Nighter
DBA — 618 Frenchman Street

October 3rd — 4th: Ponderosa Stomp Music History Conference
The Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans — 701 Convention Center Blvd.

October 3rd — 5th: Ponderosa Stomp Record Show
The Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans — 701 Convention Center Blvd.

October 4th — 5th: Ponderosa Stomp Concert
Rock N’ Bowlâ„¢ — 3000 S. Carrollton Avenue

About the Author

Ken Shane

Ken Shane lives in Narragansett, R.I. He is a freelance writer and far and away the oldest Popdose writer. In fact, he may be the oldest writer, period. He wants you to know that he generally does not share his colleagues' love for the music of the '80s, and he does not forgive them for loving it. (Ken passed away in November 2022. R.I.P. —Ed.)

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