BOGGY BAYOU: Dupre will serve as opening act on Saturday

One of Boggy Bayou Festival’s favorite all-time entertainers, Ashton Dupre and the Last Call Band, will be opening for Saturday night’s headliner this year, Charley Rivers.
Ashton Dupre and his band will take the stage on Saturday, April 8, from 7-9 p.m.
Ashton, the son of Tony and Roxanne Dupre of Bayou Chicot, comes from a family of musicians and singers. His brother, James, who resides in Nashville, TN, has been featured many times at the festival and also was featured on the popular television show, The Voice. Ashton’s brother, Jake, also sings and so does his younger sister, Elizabeth. “We all love singing together,” he adds with a grin.
Not only does the local band play at the festival in Pine Prairie each year, they also have played at a number of events including Ville Platte’s Smoked Meats Festival, the Louisiana Cotton Festival, opened for William Michael Morgan at River Ranch last fall, played at Cowboy’s Night Club, and was featured in last week’s Swamp ‘n Roll show.
Ashton’s passion for music was developed at an early age. He began performing on stage a number of years ago but vividly recalls, “I was very nervous when I first began. I kept on because I love it so much.”
The paramedic with Acadian Ambulance Services, Ashton is “fired up” about playing for his hometown crowd this year. “It’s something my band and I look forward to. We will be able to see our hometown crowd come together. We will have fun entertaining them and get to hang out with them after the show. We get to see people we haven’t seen in a while.
“Besides,” Ashton admits, “It’s for an amazing cause - our nursing home.” Ashton recalls when his own grandfather lived in the nursing home. “It’s wonderful to help out,” he admits. “That’s what this festival is all about and that, in itself, makes it even more special to me.”
Ashton says he would not be so successful without the members of his band. They include Chuck Manuel, Robbie Manuel, Jonah Guillory, Seth Dupre, and Derek Brown. “We work hard to put together a show that I know everyone will enjoy. Just come on out and support us,” he concludes.