The Official

John Simoneaux Memorial Page

11th Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam
Saturday February 27th, 2010

Sundown Tavern & Ponchatoula’s in Ruston, LA - 5 PM to Midnight with a pre-jam at Sundown Friday the 26th!

 Proceeds Benefit the John Simoneaux Endowed Memorial Scholarship in the School of Music at La. Tech University

Seven hours of fun and music including; t-shirts, food (6:30 until gone), silent auction (5PM until 9PM), electric stage inside - acoustic stage on the patio (weather permitting) and at Ponchatoula’s!

$10.00 Donation at the Door

Opening the Jam this year:
The Roadhouse Disciples!

Scheduled to Appear
(Subject to change without notice)

The Ruston Road Kings host the Pre-jam, The Road House Disciples, Noble Dog, Bobby Black, Robin Beach Black, Staunton Hoffman, Monty Russell, Hands-on Band, Dan Sanchez and the Kings of Pleasure, Terminal Degree, Scott Tisdsale, Seth Hightower, Mike`O, The Reactors, Little Stevie, Sara Sullivan, Militia, Rusty White, The Zillionaires, Kenny Bill Stinson, Members of Coupe DeVille, Jonsey Bloom, Toby Traylor, Boss Cotton, Madsen, Caleb Wilt, The Simpson Brothers, Uncle John's Hammer, Members of the Lightnin’ Bugs, Ratchet, Les "Boogie" Skinner, Roy Davenport, Ritchie Johnson, Geoff Forrester, Diane Guidry, Deacon Black, Rockabilly Rob, and who knows who else!

Piney Hills Music is providing backline @ The Sundown and the Full PA at Ponchatoula's and Tommy Hanna will be providing the full PA at The Sundown. THANKS GUYS!

Directions:
Take I-20 to Ruston. Go South on LA-167.
Take a Left on the street JUST in front of the Railroad tracks (E Park Ave).
Sundown Tavern is in the middle of the next block on the Left.

For more information or to donate food or silent auction items, contact Ken Carter @ 318-278-3705

We need people on our Street Team to distribute flyers!
If you would like to help us out by posting flyers, please print and post this PDF Flyer in your area.

Scholarship Update:
We now have 2 Scholarships!
1 Freshman Scholarship at $750/yr ($250/qtr)
1 Upperclassmen Scholarship at $1,500/yr ($500/qtr)
Fully funded for the next 2 years and we still have over $100,000 in Corpus!

10th Annual Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Jam

Saturday March 7th, 2009

Sundown Tavern, Ruston, LA 5PM - Midnight

Proceeds Benefit the John Simoneaux  Endowed Memorial Scholarship in the School of Music at La. Tech University.

Seven hours of Live Blues begin at 5:00 p.m.!  Profits from cover, t-shirt sales, and silent auction go to the Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship Fund at Louisiana Tech University.

Opening the Jam this year:
The Roadhouse Disciples!

Other Talent scheduled to perform:  The Ruston Road Kings, Monty Russell and the Hardcore Troubadours, Johnny O'Neal, Hands-on Band, Dan Sanchez and the Kings of Pleasure, Terminal Degree, Scott Tisdsale, Seth Hightower, Mike'O, The Reactors, Little Stevie, Sara Sullivan, Amber Grafton, Lazer with a Z, Militia, Rusty White, The Zillionaires,

For more information call Ken at (318) 278-3705.

DIRECTIONS
Take I-20 to Ruston.
Go South on LA-167.
Take a Left on the street JUST in front of the Railroad tracks (E Park Ave).
Sundown Tavern is in the middle of the next block on the Left.
You can't miss it!
If you go to the end of the street, there is a parking lot there.

Parking is harder and harder to find as the evening draws on as this draws some 500+ people every year.

Map to the club

Sundown Tavern
111 E Park Ave
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 255-8028

Hero Hog
AKA: Speedy, Dr. Speed

Johnny Jam T-Shirt Design Contest

The Tenth Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam will have a t-shirt design contest again this year with a $100 cash prize for the winner!

9th Annual Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Jam

Saturday February 23th, 2008

Sundown Tavern, Ruston, LA 5PM - Midnight

Proceeds Benefit the John Simoneaux  Endowed Memorial Scholarship in the School of Music at La. Tech University.

Seven hours of Live Blues begin at 5:00 p.m.!  Profits from cover, t-shirt sales, and silent auction go to the Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship Fund at Louisiana Tech University.

UPDATE! 4/1/08

Ken reports: Turned in another $800 Friday the 28th (of March).

3/7/08: As of right now, we have turned $17,014 in to the LA Tech Foundation to be put into the corpus of the fund. This should put us over $75,000 and we should have around $5,000 in the reserve.

Ken Carter

Chris Duarte donates autographed items to the silent auction including an autographed Baltimore Strat. The winner of the Strat was Lamar Gates.

Click for pictures from the event and detailed views of the items Chris Duarte donated!

Opening the Jam this year was:
The Roadhouse Disciples!

Other Talent included:  The Ruston Road Kings, Monty Russell and the Hardcore Troubadours, Johnny O'Neal, Hands-on Band, Dan Sanchez and the Kings of Pleasure, Terminal Degree, Scott Tisdsale, Seth Hightower, Mike'O, The Reactors, Little Stevie, Sara Sullivan, Amber Grafton, Lazer with a Z, Militia, Rusty White, Robin Antley, The Zillionaires, Donovan Hatcher is Donovan Blue and he is also brought his current band Jonesy Bloom, from Austin with him. There were many more artists there and I will try to round their names up and post them as I can.

For more information call Ken at (318) 278-3705.

DIRECTIONS
Take I-20 to Ruston.
Go South on LA-167.
Take a Left on the street JUST in front of the Railroad tracks (E Park Ave).
Sundown Tavern is in the middle of the next block on the Left.
You can't miss it!
If you go to the end of the street, there is a parking lot there.

Parking is harder and harder to find as the evening draws on as this draws some 500+ people every year.

Map to the club

Sundown Tavern
111 E Park Ave
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 255-8028

Hero Hog
AKA: Speedy, Dr. Speed

Johnny Jam T-Shirt Design Contest

The Ninth Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam had a t-shirt design contest this year. The winner was Dave Beckler who also donated an original painting of the main design. A limited run of 20 signed and numbered prints were made from that painting and any unsold ones are for sale for $40 from Ken Carter. There are small prints (un-numbered and unsigned) available from Ken at $10 each.

Deep Blues CD
The ONLY public release of Johnny's music on a 4 song Christian music CD!
$10.00
11'x17' John Simoneaux Memorial Jam Poster from the 08 jam
A print of an original painting by local artist Dave Beckler
$10.00
Johnny Jam T-Shirts! Assorted colors and sizes available.
$15
Color
Size
Donate to the Memorial Scholorship
at Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA
 
View your Shopping Cart.
 

For more information or to donate food or silent auction items, contact Ken Carter @ 318-278-3705 or email him using this form.
Subject:
Your E-Mail Address:
Your Name:
Message:
 

For the latest info, go to www.rustonroadkings.com

Have YOU made plans to attend?

NEW! Videos from previous Memorial Jams!

8th Annual Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Jam

Saturday February 24th, 2007

Sundown Tavern, Ruston, LA

Proceeds Benefit the John Simoneaux  Endowed Memorial Scholarship in the School of Music at La. Tech University.


Scheduled to Appear (subject to change)

Hosted by the Ruston Road Kings: Anthony Best, Caleb Wilt, Sara Sullivan, Road House Disciples, Jerry Beach, Danny Witherington & Coupe DeVille, Lightnin’ Bugs, Scott Robertson, Steve Simpson, Scott Tisdale, Mike’O, Speedy Mercer, Seth Hightower,  Militia, Rhonda Satcher, Terminal Degree, Boogie Skinner, Johnny O’Neal,  Gray Martin, Dan Sanchez & the Kings of Pleasure, members of the Backroads Band, Hands On, Monty Russell & the Hardcore Troubadores, Geff Forrester, Reactors, Roy Davenport, Richie Johnson, Nick Summers, Squint, Bobby Black, Blues Legacy, Kenny Bill Stinson, Joe Nadeau, Jimmy Wooten, Mike McKenzie, Deacon Black, Rockabilly Rob, Boss Cotton, and who knows who else.

Click HERE for original flyer in MS Word format

7th Annual Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Jam

March 4, 2006
Sundown Tavern - Ruston, LA

Each year the Ruston Road Kings host the Annual Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Jam. This year it was on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at Sundown Tavern. Seven hours of Live Blues, food, and fun began at 5:00 p.m.! Profits from cover, t-shirt sales, and silent auction went to the Johnny Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship Fund at Louisiana Tech University.

Musicians included: The Ruston Road Kings, Lightnin' Bugs, Monty Russell and the Hardcore Troubadores, Johnny O'Neal, Hands-on Band, Dan Sanchez and the Kings of Pleasure, Boogie Skinner, Terminal Degree, A J & the Two Tone Blues Band, Gray Martin, Coupe Deville, Scott Tisdsale, I-20 takes Over the World, Mike'O, Ms Mac & the Groovetones, and many more!

UPDATE 3/5/2006: Early reports show some 670+ paying people were at this years event and over $11,000 was raised after expenses!

UPDATE 3/20/2006: A shade over $13,000 was raised for the John Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship this year! There is now $43,000 in the Endowment and the scholarship amount is up to $750/quarter and is covered for the next 3 years!

Pictures from the 6th Annual Johnny "Family Reunion" Jam

Friday Pre Jam

The Real Deal

5th Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam Feb 28

All proceeds went to the John Simoneaux Memorial Endowed Scholarship in the School of Music at La. Tech.

Our special guest this year was Lauren Morgan, this year's recipient of the scholarship. She is looking forward to meeting John's family and all involved in the organization of the scholarship and had this to say:

Mr. Carter,

Thank you very much for the invitation.
I have marked it on my calendar and look forward to the event. I look forward to meeting Mr. Simoneaux's mother and all who are involved.

Thank you once again.
See you on the 28th of February.

Sincerely, Lauren Morgan

Musicians:

Bill Deese, Bobby Black, Chuck Redden, Dan Sanchez Band, Danny Solomon, Danny Witherington, Deacon Black, Deeper Shade of Blues, Donovan Hatcher, Down & Dirty 3, Dr. Speed and Friends, Dwight's Band (P G's Guitars), Geff Forrester, Hands On, I-20 Takes Over the World, Jerry Beach, Joe Larson, Joe Nadeau, John Kelly, Johnny O'Neal, Keith Sadler, Lauren Morgan, Les "Boogie" Skinner, Lightnin' Bugs, Michael Frusha, Michael Rasbury, Mike Gay, MikeO, Monty Russell, Mudd Pi, Nick Summers, Ninety to Nothin', November's End, Rhonda Satcher, Robin Antley, Ruston Road Kings, Ryan Munsey, Scott Allen Band, Scott Tisdale, Steve Simpson, Terry King, Terry Woodward and more!

 

 

The 4th Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam
was held March 15 at The Sundown Tavern in Ruston, LA. 5PM - Midnight

There were 7 Hours of Music, Food and a Silent auction for only a 5$ donation at the door!!!!

Scheduled to appear so far: Doug Duffy, Joe Nadeau, Jerry Beach, Ruston Road Kings, Jennifer B and the Groove Kings with Dr. Speed, I-20 Takes Over The World, Deeper Shade Of Blues, Members of the Lightin'Bugs, Members of Simplemen, Donavan Hatcher, Ryan Munsey, Keith Patterson, Mike-O, Johnny O'Neal, Les “Boogie” Skinner, Monty Russell, Bobby Black, John Kelly, Larry Gilmore, Michael Frusha, Scott Tisdale, Geff Forrester and more!

There was an additional outdoor stage for acoustic music this year.

Proceeds from John's Memorial Jam went toward the John Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship at La Tech in Ruston. In the 3 years since John's passing, we've put enough money in the to pay approximately $350/quarter to the current recipient. With your help we can significantly increase that amount for future recipients.

Those of you who knew John, come join us in remembering him and his music...Those of you who didn't know him, come join our celebration of remembrance, enjoy an incredible jam, and help us help other aspiring musicians to realize their dreams.

I would like to thank everyone that attended and/or supported the 2nd Annual John Simoneaux Memorial Jam held @ Sundown Tavern in Ruston on Saturday, February 24, 2001. Thanks to the community it was a great success. We raised over $5,200 from admission donations, a silent auction, and t-shirt donations. The total for the fund is now just over $8,400-just $1,600 away from the $10,000 minimum needed to create an endowed scholarship in guitar @ LA Tech University. We will keep adding to the fund after the minimum is reached because the $10,000 start level pays out only $100 in scholarship. The more money put into the annuity equals an increase in the amount of money the scholarship recipient receives each year.

Thanks to the following sponsors and donators:

T-Shirts: M&S Grinding Service, Monty Russell & the Hardcore Troubadors, Sundown Tavern, J&B Sheet Metal, holder Automotive, Mike "Lil-fing", Frosty Factory, Krewe of CAB, Victor Drewry, Matt's Music, PG Guitars, Ruston Building & Loan, Tommy's Tees, American Muffler, Don Shively Accounting, American Carport, Ivan Smith Furniture, Brown's Welding Service, & Clean Air Systems of Ruston.

Food: Sundown Tavern, Pontchatoulas, Ken Carter, Desi @ Trenton Street Cafe, Paul Shoffitt, Debbie Dieter, Cindy Hammonds, Pat Carter, and Julie Hill.

Silent Auction: Dona Goertz, National Jewelry, Cuco's, Mijo's Imports, Davison Transport, Budco, Rebecca's Quizno's Subs, Paige's Hair Products, "Bush" the Massage Guy, Melody's Hair Care, Trudy's Flowers & Gifts, Monty Russell & the Hardcore Troubadors, Boogie Skinner, S&H Tatoo, Barbara Trahan, Great Divide, Lewis & Co., Hilburn Monuments, Depot 33, Rabb's Steak House, Linder Motor Lodge, and Creative Cupboard.

Raffle: Brass Eagle, Inc.

Media: Ruston Daily Leader, KPCH, KNOE-TV, Monroe News-Star, KEDM, KTVE-TV, B99.3, LA 105

Special Thanks: John's widow, Alison Simoneaux, John's mother, Marie Simoneaux, sisters Peggy & Barbara, Johnny O'Neal, Dona Goertz, Boogie Skinner, Weazle Crump, Dave Hill, Richard Dieter, Rodney Cannon, Kayla Herbert, Michael White, Little Stevie Embrey, Mike O, Cindy White, Wes Brown, Tommy Carter, Butch Mahaffey, Dr. Speed, Tonya Smith, "Mule" Sherrill, Big Jim Elliott, Rockin' Kenny Bill Stinson, Bruce Van Zandt, Sam & Sheila Pierce, Bill Brown, Nick Deriso, Mona Cannon, Benny Denny, Barbara Trahan, Ryan Munsey, Donovan Hatcher, Sunny Meriwether, Adrian & Jonesy, Debbie Dieter, Connie & Robin Antley, Ken Young, Becky Carswell, Mike James, Mike Luehlfing, Nettie Russell, Scott Tisdale and Donna Bancks (Event Alert Lady).

I would like to collectively thank the 45 musicians that played (you know who you are). This is an annual event and we will look for your support next year.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can send it to:
John Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship
LA Tech Alumni Center
PO Box 3183
Ruston, LA 71272

Thanks to all from the bottom of my heart!
Ken Carter

2nd Annual Memorial Jam Feb 24th, 2001, from 5pm to just after Midnight at The Sundown Tavern in Ruston, LA

Musicians from/or the following Bands are scheduled to appear: Roadhouse Disciples (John's Band), Kenny Bill Stinson, Udder Confusion, Kitchen Pass Band, Johnny O'neal, Monty Russell & the Hardcore Troubadours, Little Stevie, members of Howard Shaft, Deeper Shade of Blues, Blues Legacy, Mike O, Boogieman, Little Stevie & Friends, Joe Nadeau, Lightnin' Bugs, Scott Tisdale Project, Lost Hi-way, Rodney Cannon, Dr. Speed, B.B. Wolf, Paul Fes, Jennifer Beaver, Rosemaryz Baby and MANY MANY more!

Musicians are coming from Austin, Alabama, Arkansas and all across Louisiana to celebrate the music that was John's Life and to raise money for the John Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship Fund at Louisiana Tech!

T-shirts will be available for a $15.00 donation and lists some of our sponsors:

As of right now, those donating to the silent auction are; Brass Eagle, Inc., Lewis & Co., Great Divide, Cucos of Ruston, Quizno's Subs, Rabb's, PG Guitars, Paige's Hair Products, National Jewlery, and waiting to hear back from many more. Hopefully we will be adding to the list all the way to showtime!

There was a Memorial Jam in Shreveport at SouthPaw's On The River Friday, May, 5th to raise money for the John Simoneaux Memorial Fund.  The Host band was Nsomniax. Jam starts at 10:00PM and goes till 2:00AM. Dr. Speed's new band Sweet Soul Vibe will be there along with Ken Carter and the Kitchen Pass Band, DeArmond, The Lightnin' Bugs, Joe Nadeau, Bobby Black anyone else we can find!

Dr. Speed
4/6/2000

Ken Carter has volunteered to buzz-cut his hair to raise money for the John Simoneaux Memorial Fund if we raise $1,000 by May/13/2000!  The 1st. $100 donation got to keep his ponytail! If we raise $1,200, Ken will loose the beard too! UPDATE: Ken is one buzzed and beardless dude!!! THANKS!

The Haircut occured on stage at The Sundown Tavern in Ruston on May/13/2000 during the Jam.

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:

Checks can also be mailed to:
    Haircut
    PO Box 721
    Ruston, LA  71273
    (please make checks payable to "John Simoneaux Memorial Fund")

John’s Last Gig

They were all there . . . the Cops and the Musicians, the Computer Geeks and the Mechanics, the Teenagers and the Geriatrics . . . All with one purpose in mind . . . to see the man who had taken center stage. With guitar pick in hand, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, his favorite blue jeans and his Converse tennis shoes he waited, impish smirk on his face, for the crowd to settle down. It was noisy in the big room. Seating for more than a hundred left standing room only . . . no . . . less, for people were left standing in the halls outside. The place was alive with talk and laughter . . . stories being told of the man, his antics, his love of his friends, family and his music. As the event began, a hush fell over the room as one-by-one people approached the front of the audience and spoke. They spoke of kindness, love and inspiration . . . of humor generosity and giving for this was John Simoneaux’s final gig . . . his wake.

God Bless
Speedy "Dr. Speed" Mercer
01/21/2000

The 1st Memorial Jam

2nd Annual Memorial Jam (flyer)

4th Annual Memorial Jam (Big flyer in MS Word)

4th Annual Memorial Jam (Small flyer in MS Word)

5th Annual Memorial Jam (flyer)

5th Annual Memorial Jam (flyer in MS Word)

Photo Album

Pat's Pictures

If you would like to donate to the John Simoneaux Memorial Fund, the address is:

Tech Foundation
John Simoneaux Memorial Fund
PO POX 3183
Ruston, LA
71272-0001

You can also donate right here using the following Donate button! 

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(Hero Hog, AKA: Dr. Speed or Speedy Mercer
he could use the cash to help maintain this site!)
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