Gubernatorial candidate Buddy Leach threw a block party Friday to reach out to young Louisiana voters.
The theme of the bash was to promote Louisiana Rocks, a CD of music from Louisiana-based original bands Leach is distributing across the state. Four bands featured on the CD provided the music for the party.
The intersection of Third Street and Florida Blvd. filled downtown Baton Rouge with the sounds of chatter and thunderous music. A patriotic platform covered in red, white, and blue Buddy Leach signs marked the spot for the festivities while doubling as the stage.
The band Monophonic kicked off the event at 5 p.m. with a mix of covers and original music as some people took advantage of the free hot dogs, beverages and Buddy Leach paraphanelia.
An hour into the gig Buddy Leach came on stage sporting a bright green buttoned down shirt while the crowd of about fifty started cheering and a cloud of confetti flew in the air.
Leach briefly discussed his campaign, which had little to do with music and only kissed-up to young voters.
“You are the future of the great state,” Leach said. “We must raise minimum wage above Federal levels. We must invest in universities.” After Leach spoke to the audience of mostly children and their parents the concert continued. He schmoozed with the crowd for twenty minutes before he returned to his rented space downtown.
Mass communication senior and Silko bassist Ian Stanford said, “He is a candidate that offers more of a choice, but I am not disclosing my vote.”
Natchitoches band Kelvin took the stage and Silko followed with their act as scheduled.
Although the block party was supposed to end at 9 p.m. with The Freeloaders, the concert was shut down at 8:15 p.m.because the street needed to be cleared by 9 p.m. The Freeloaders never got to play.
Biological engineering freshman William Haxthausen said he enjoyed the concert.
“It’s really neat that Buddy Leach has youth-oriented bands playing our generation’s music for his block party campaign,” Haxthausen said.
In an interview Leach explained the relationship between his campaign and the local music.
“We need to preserve and develop our rich heritage and emphasize music,” Leach said. “I want concerts sponsored by the governor periodically so citizens can hear and preserve our rich heritage.”
Leach explained his motivation to create the CD, but his selection of bands on the CD differed from his own preferred music types, which are classical and spiritual.
He said one of his favorite Baton Rouge bands is the LSU Jazz Ensemble, but they are not included on the CD.
Louisiana Rocks includes original songs from Misty Moon, Last Chance Dave, DJ Ruff, MovinWeight and many other in state bands. His campaign staff has copies of the CD, and Leach plans to distribute copies at LSU.