The first concert will be held Wednesday, May 1st, and will take place each Wednesday at noon for all 5 Wednesdays in May! May 1st will feature Bill Haley, May 8th will feature John Love, May 15th will feature Jade Reynolds, May 22nd will feature Rex Bolls, and the final concert on May 29th will feature Alice Profit.
Brown Bag Lunch Concerts are held every Wednesday in May from noon to 1 p.m. at the Pavilion at Seventh Square in West Monroe, located directly behind the West Monroe Farmer’s Market.
The West Monroe Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series is presented by WMWO Chamber of Commerce and the City of West Monroe in partnership with Emily Nunnelee State Farm, Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union, Paramount Healthcare Consultants, The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Newk’s Eatery, 90.3 KEDM, and the Ouachita Parish School System.
Artists coordinated by Music City Studios – Northeast Louisiana’s Premier Recording Studio. The concerts are free to the general public. Newk's Eatery will be selling bagged lunches onsite which include a half sandwich, bag of chips, and half dessert. Lunches are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees may also bring a brown bag lunch while they enjoy various musical performances. Chairs, complimentary beverages, and desserts will be provided by the sponsors. The Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series will continue in West Monroe with a spring series on Wednesdays in May.
May 1st – Bill Haley
Bill Haley: Bill Haley was born in Archibald, LA, and grew up in Monroe. Graduated from Ouachita Parish High School and Northeast Louisiana University. I have no credentials as far as singing in Branson, MO, Nashville, TN, or other places. I was offered a recording contract in the early 1970's, but did not pursue the offer. I was a member of the Ouachita PHS concert choir and smaller ensemble for three years and the concert choir and smaller ensemble at Northeast LU for four years. Two fantastic choral directors helped me develop the skill and talent that God gave me, and am very blessed that the voice has remained fairly strong for all these years. I have been a music director at churches for some fifty years, entertained, and emceed beauty pageants, banquets, parties, and class reunions. Currently music director at Clark Springs Baptist Church. I sing all styles of music, from pop to country, except opera and bluegrass, simply because I can't sing those two styles. I am really excited and looking forward to entertaining you at the Brown Bag Concert. My prayer is that you leave with a smile on your face and joy in your heart.
May 8th – Josh Love
Josh Love grew up in the small town of Crossett, AR. While music was an integral part of his life he didn’t pick up the guitar until he was 15 having seen a friend play one at a high school talent show. After graduating high school in 2008 he moved to Monroe, LA to pursue a degree in music. There he was fortunate enough to find talented musicians to regularly play with. After graduating in 2015 he began playing professionally in the local scene, receiving the Emerging Artist Award for the 2016 NELA Music Awards. He can be heard playing regularly in Monroe and surrounding areas. Being a fan of music since he was a little child he channels virtually every genre in his playing and singing from rock to R&B, to gospel to blues. Not being afraid to cross barriers Josh Love is able to connect with any crowd.
May 15th – Jade Reynolds
Jade Reynolds: Jade Reynolds sound casts a unique spell on any audience. With distinctive Delta Blues influences, her sultry voice grabs you by the ears and catapults you into the dirty south. She delivers her own unique take on many old favorites from Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn and more!
For more information or to confirm the show will go on in case of rain, call the Arts Council office at (318)397-6717 or (318)397-6754. Visit the Arts Council online at www.nelaarts.com, and find us on Facebook or Instagram @region8arts!
May 22nd – Rex Bolls
Rex Bolls is a California-born Louisiana native whose acoustic folk country music style captures the essence of Americana storytelling. He is the frontman for the local band “Less Stacia” but moonlights as a soulful country coverer in the Monroe-West Monroe area. Blending both backgrounds, Rex brings a fresh perspective to a genre rich in southern history and prestige.
May 29nd – Alice Profit
Alice has been performing on stage, radio, and TV since the age of 9. She’s performed in Branson, recorded in Nashville, and written and produced a Christian music CD. She also has performed in choral groups at Carnegie Hall with Lauren Daigle and Francesca Battistelli, Dailey and Vincent, and at the Dove Awards with Steven Curtis Chapman. She’s recently revived the legacy of the Twin City Jamboree and produced several performances with those early artists. Singing many styles and assisted by Rita Spillers (a local legend herself) and Ed Sawyer, Alice will present hits from country, pop, and oldies but goodies.
