Deep South concert set for Independence Day

Bogalusa’s Cassidy Park will sound a bit like the 1970’s next weekend.

Deep South, a band the came out of Bogalusa in 1976, will hold a 30-year reunion and free concert at the park July 4.

“We are all very excited,” said Claudette Rogers, a vocalist for the band.

According to Rogers, members of Deep South were celebrities in their own right in the mid 70’s not only in the Bogalusa area, but surrounding cities such as Covington, Franklinton, and Slidell. With managers Ralph “Delo” Burns and Robert “Tuxedo” Jones, Deep South was promoted locally to perform at clubs including the Bogalusa Country Club, at summer rock festivals, and the highlight was performing a few times at the Washington Parish Free Fair. Later under the new management of Dennis and Denard “Shadow Man” Kates, Deep South traveled further away to perform often at venues in Baton Rouge such as Club Breezeway and Smack Water Jack, as well as New Orleans area’s premier club, The Melting Pot. Deep South was once the opening act in Baton Rouge for famous bands and artists such as Brass Construction and Johnny “Guitar” Watson.

We also rubbed shoulders or performed for known artists such as Kool and the Gang and Pleasure, Rogers said.

In 1977, Steve Wonder, was housed in Bogalusa while recording the album “The Secret Life of Plants” at the Studio in the Country. Deep South had the pleasure to perform at Stevie’s private birthday party held at McKenize Sampson’s home. Deep South also recorded two songs titled, Deep South and A Touch of Soul. Finally, as members desired to pursue other life dreams, the band dissolved with the last performance in Bogalusa at the American Legion on New Year’s Eve 1979.

Members including Carl “Gabby” Rogers, percussionist; Michael “Spoon Head” Bagent, guitar, keyboard, vocals; Bruce “Bootsy” Watson, lead vocal, trumpet, guitar; Neville “Sweet D” Davis, bass; Renard “Star Child” Martin, saxaphone, keyboard, bass guitar, wind instruments, vocals; Eric “Kool” Lonzo, guitarist, vocals; Lundon Johnson, vocals and keyboard; Ralph “Pretty Tony” Rogers, drums, vocals; Anthony Smith, base guitar; Reggie Houston, saxaphone; Patrice “Vanilla” Bickham, featured vocalist; and Claudette “Chocolate” Rogers, featured vocalist; and Melvin “Heatwave” Fields, featured vocalist.

The concert begins at 5 p.m.