LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / January 5, 2000

GRAMERCY – Plan on an evening of good-time fun at the St. James BoatClub, as the Louisiana Entertainment Hall of Fame holds a fund-raiser on Feb. 13 featuring the best of Louisiana’s “swamp pop” music.The 2 p.m. show is billed as a “Valentine Swamp Pop Music Extravaganza”and features entertainers include Dale & Grace, Rod Bernard, Lil Alfred, T.K. Hulin, Charles Mann and Warren Storm.And, if 1,000 tickets are sold to “pack the place,” Audrey Millet of Garyville (who is promoting it here) said the concert could become a regular event.

Founded in 1990, the Louisiana Entertainment Hall of Fame was established by Lou Gabus after she became disabled in 1989 with the encouragement of long-time friend, Merle Haggard.

Gabus began her own singing career at age 15 under the name Paula Wilson and was affiliated with recording artists, including Theresa Brewer, Perry Como, Webb Pierce, Faron Young and others.

Topping the bill for the show is Rod Bernard, who appeared on “American Bandstand” in 1959, where he performed his gold-record song “This Should Go on Forever.” He also had a big hit with “Colinda.”Since then, Dale & Grace likewise topped the charts with their own gold records, “I’m Leaving It All Up to You” and “Stop and Think It Over.”Lil Alfred is known for “Walking Down the Aisle” and “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.” T.K. Hulin’s hits include “I’m Not a Fool Anymore” and”Graduation Song.”Charles Mann will be performing “Red, Red Wine” and “Walk of Life.”Warren Storm’s crowd-pleasers will include “Prisoner’s Song” and “Mama, Mama, Mama.”The performers will be accompanied by the Louisiana Hall of Fame band, “Kenny and the Jokers.”The fund-raiser is directed toward establishment of a permanent museum of Louisiana entertainers in Lafayette, according to Gabus. The nextinduction ceremony is also planned April 16 at noon at the Heymman Center in Lafayette.

Advance tickets are available for $10 each by calling Millet at 535-2862.

Door admission is $15 for adults, with children under 5 admitted free. Noice chests or video cameras will be allowed. Food and beverages will beavailable.

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