NELA Music Scene: Live Music Performances from Honey Child & Hidden Tracks
9/14/24 Harvest Under the Stars: A Taste of the GardenChildren’s Coalition Monroe, LA
On Saturday 9/14/24, Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana hosted their second annual event “Harvest Under the Stars: A Taste of the Garden” at their regional office in Monroe, LA. The weather was ideal for an evening outdoor event with the slightly cooler temperatures reminding everyone that autumn is right around the corner. This yearly fundraising event supports the ongoing work of Children’s Coalition to create communities where children and families thrive.
The VIP Patron Party started at 5:30 pm, and guests were encouraged to tour the community garden and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres from Chef Pat Nolan while listening to music from Honey Child, a talented blues & folk group featuring a harmonica so soulful it commands your attention and pulls your heartstrings.
Honey Child is the Folk Music Award Winner at the most recent NELA Music Awards, and their set highlights the songwriting skills of Jessie LaRae (lead vocals/harmonica), John Hale (guitar/vocals), and Jackie Thames (drums). Honey Child is a versatile booking because their act can be pared down to just an acoustic set for smaller settings, or amped up for larger audiences because they have enough stage presence and God-given talent to entertain a packed house. Last night’s set list included covers like “Ain’t No Sunshine”- Bill Withers, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”- Otis Redding, “Leaving on a Jet Plane”- John Denver, “Delta Dawn”- Tanya Tucker, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”- Jim Croce, “Georgia on My Mind”- Ray Charles, and “Burning Love”- Elvis Presley. They played their own original songs as well with introspective tracks like “New Orleans”, “Take Another Pill”, and “Down on Your Luck Blues”. Warning, cuteness overload: During their VIP Patron Party set, Jessie and John explained that the Children’s Coalition’s mission is a cause near and dear to their hearts and announced that their little family is growing by one this coming January. On behalf of the NELA Music Awards, congratulations to you both!!
The Garden Party kicked off at 7:00 pm with live music for the cool kids from the alt rock cover band Hidden Tracks. Guests sat under the stars at well-appointed, open-air tables complete with fall harvest décor. Dinner entrées were prepared by Brittany Khamille (Louisiana chef TikTok sensation & participant on the Next Level Chef reality TV series). Dessert was provided by Cake, a local bakery in West Monroe. After dinner, there was a silent auction to raise money to support children region wide, and guests were able to take pictures in front of a photo backdrop decorated with lights, gauze drapes, and pumpkins galore.
Hidden Tracks is a NELA Music Awards nominee who can always get people out of their seats to sing and dance the night away because they definitely know how to bring the party. The band member line up goes something like this: Heath Work (lead vocals), Preston Fulco (guitar/vocals), Tracy Rainwater (bass/backup vocals), and James Buckley (drums/vocals). HT’s performance last night was as entertaining as ever with their fun set list of covers of 90s bangers like “Good” – Better than Ezra, “Santa Monica” – Everclear, “Comedown” – Bush, “Let Her Cry” – Hootie & the Blowfish, “All the Small Things” – blink-182, “Cumbersome” – Seven Mary Three, “Not an Addict” – K’s Choice, and so many more. Weezer fans were happy to hear not one, but two songs from the Blue album, “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So”. Crowd favorites included Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta”, The Flys’ “Got You (Where I Want You)”, and Radiohead’s “Creep”. I know I didn’t catch them all, but it doesn’t matter because everyone knows the words to every song. Do you want a big turnout and engaging crowd at your venue/event? You should probably book Hidden Tracks.
Just out here finding what’s great in the 318
Toshia Laing/Staff Writer
NELA Music Awards
