From Keith Urban to Chris Stapleton: Boots on The Bayou Rocks Gonzales, Louisiana

I attended the very first Boots on The Bayou at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana, and y’all — it was one for the books! The two-day festival, held October 31st through November 1st, brought thousands of fans together for a weekend packed with incredible music, top-notch production, and that unmistakable Louisiana spirit.

Day One: The Perfect Kickoff

Each morning kicked off with a tailgate party that featured talented local artists like Connor Martin and the Lauren Lee Band — both of whom I’ve seen before and always put on an amazing show. I loved this addition because it gave up-and-coming musicians a real spotlight while keeping the fun going all day long.

Connor Martin and I on day one of BOTB

When the main gates opened at noon, Louisiana’s own Chase Tyler — who I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing for my Louisiana Back Porch Talk series — hit the main stage, joined by special guest John Foster, who you may recognize as this year’s American Idol runner-up.

The lineup just kept building: Tyler Braden, Maddox Batson (the 15-year-old TikTok sensation who had every teenage girl in the crowd screaming), Carly Pearce, Parker McCollum, and the legendary Keith Urban, who closed out the night with hit after hit.

Carly Pearce made fans’ dreams come true by taking selfies right on stage with several phones from the audience — including a friend of mine! Parker McCollum kept the energy high, and when Keith Urban hit the stage, the crowd went wild. His performance was absolutely electric and the perfect end to day one.

Day Two: A Star-Studded Saturday

Saturday brought another stacked lineup — The Kruse Brothers, Ashley Cooke, Elle King, Marcus King, Riley Green, and Chris Stapleton. The mix of artists made for a great balance, appealing to both younger fans and classic country lovers alike.

My daughter Cami and I met up with local TikTok Celebrity Chasity Ann Theriot also known as Lady in tge bathroom

One of the most heartwarming moments came when Riley Green noticed a little girl in the crowd who’d been accidentally hit with a water bottle while holding up her handmade sign. Riley immediately invited her on stage, showed off her sign to the crowd, and autographed it for her. It was such a genuine, sweet moment — and a big shoutout to security, who handled the situation quickly and professionally.

Then came Chris Stapleton, and let me tell you — seeing him perform live has been on my bucket list for years. He did not disappoint. His soulful voice, that guitar, the energy — he completely owned that stage and left the entire crowd speechless.

Festival Experience: A+ Across the Board

I had VIP access for the weekend, and I’ve got to give major props to the event organizers. Everything ran smoothly — short lines, clean restrooms, and fast service at the bars. The VIP setup was top-notch, with plenty of space and comfort.

The wristbands allowing re-entry were a great touch, and I loved seeing the variety of food vendors offering Louisiana favorites throughout the grounds. Parking was well-organized, with convenient VIP options, GA lots, and even RV camping for those who wanted to make a weekend out of it.

The wristbands that allow re-entry

I met folks who traveled in from Mississippi, Florida, and even Alabama — including my own daughter who drove in from college just to join me — and everyone agreed: Boots on The Bayou was a huge success.

From the friendly crowd and flawless organization to the unforgettable performances, this event set the bar high for festivals in Louisiana. I can already tell this one’s going to become a new favorite on the Gulf Coast music scene.

I also need to give a huge thank you to Adam Cutrer with Bayou Brothers BBQ Sauce and Kyle Rogers for making this weekend possible for me.