By Chelsea Brasted, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
Henry Gray performs at the Baton Rouge Blues Festival on April 13, 2013. Gray was one of several local musicians who played with Muddy Waters before he died in 1983. Lamar Advertising Company is sponsoring the Henry Gray Band at the 2013 Blues Gala. (Photo by Chelsea Brasted, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation Gala returns this year to honor Muddy Waters' would-be 100th birthday, and the funds raised at the event will go toward the organization's various programming. The 2013 Blues Gala is set for Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Park Museum.
Maxine Crump, a founding member of the BRBF and co-chairperson of the event, said Henry Gray, Kenny Neal and Muddy Waters' son, Big Bill Morganfield, are expected to perform.
Muddy Waters, who many consider to be one of the the founding fathers of the blues, was born in Mississippi but holds many Baton Rouge connections. Henry Gray and Buddy Guy both played with the legendary guitarist, and Kenny Neal has also drawn inspiration from his music.
The night's events will also include a red carpet arrival, which all blues musicians are invited to attend, and a "vintage blues club fashion show," Crump said.
Funds from the event will help to produce the annual Baton Rouge Blues Festival as well as new music education programs, Crump said. The Foundation is working on producing kids' summer camps and all-ages music workshops.
"It would go a long way to education people about music in this area," Crump said.
Tickets for the gala are $35, and are available through the BRBF's website or by calling 225.274.6902.