Neal McCoy, Southern U. Band highlight Rice Festival music list

CROWLEY - The excitement in International Rice Festival Coordinator Roxie Viator’s voice makes it quite clear that she is confident that this year’s music lineup will be a strong one.
“I definitely expect this year’s lineup to be one of the best we’ve ever had,” said Viator. “We’ve had people calling from Crowley and out of town to ask about Neal McCoy (famed country artist) and the Southern University Marching Band. We’ve been getting our usual strong response regarding those who traditionally play at the Rice Festival and are very well-known in Louisiana and beyond.”
Viator has been following one act now for the past several years. Her daughter, award-winning artist Kira Viator and her band Bayou Beat, have been longtime performers at the festival. One of the members of Bayou Beat is Jody Viator, Roxie’s husband, who is also Crowley’s Fire Chief.  
Crowley’s Wayne Toups will return as well, playing his unique brand of music called ZydeCajun from 8:30 p.m. until midnight on Friday. Toups is featured prominently this year in the 77th International Rice Festival poster.
The bands will be featured on the festival’s two stages — the Cajun Country Rice Stage and the Louisiana Rice Mill Sound Stage.

The official lineup is as follows:

Thursday, October 17
Cajun Country Sound Stage
7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Featherlight
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Katie Arminger
10 p.m. -midnight Keith Frank and  the Soileau Zydeco Band

Louisiana Rice Mill Sound Stage
7 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Kevin Naquin and Ossun Playboys
9:45 p.m.- midnight Charley Rivers

Friday, October 18
Cajun Country Sound Stage
3 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Kira Viator and Bayou Beat
5:45 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Nik-L-Beer
8:30 p.m. - midnight Wayne Toups and ZydeCajun

Louisiana Rice Mill Stage
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Colby Latiolais and Ambush
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Brad Brinkley and Comfort Zone
7:30 - 9 p.m. Travis Matte and The Kingpins
9:30 p.m. - midnight The Chee-Weez

Saturday, October 19
Cajun Country Sound Stage
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Oddfellows
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie
8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars
10:30 p.m. - midnight Neal McCoy

Louisiana Rice Mill Sound Stage
9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Accordion and Fiddle Contest
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Jackie Callier and The Cajun Cousins
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Bonnie Chance
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Chris Himel and Outbound
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band
9:30 p.m. - midnight Bag of Donuts