The band performs in North Houston venues, including at The Woodlands Township, The Woodlands Country Club, Rosehill Beer Garden, Pacific Yard House and Brew: 30 Taphouse. Made up of several members, including Houston and New Orleans natives, Bayou Junction Band includes:
- Lead singer: Geri Griffin
- Accordion, lead guitar and vocals: Joe Garcia
- Rhythm guitar and vocals: Jamie Maldonado
- Drum and percussion player: Steve Owens
- Bass player: Jay Boudoin
“I had started playing bass guitar about a little over four years ago, and after about a year I just got tired of playing by myself, and I'm like, 'Well, I want to form a band.' And so we formed a little neighborhood band,” Boudoin said. "Owens recently joined us and has been playing with Garcia for several years. He is a very experienced drummer that has enhanced and stepped up our rhythm section and has been an awesome addition to our group."
What inspired you to start a band?
“My youngest son was a drumline captain at Louisiana State University, and he said, ‘Dad, why not start doing it now?’ So I took his advice, and I did it, and so it's morphed into where we are now; and I'm living a dream of doing it with some wonderful people, and I'm just as happy as a lark every day,” Boudoin said.
What has your experience been like as a musician?
“So I've been in Houston since 1994. I'm about to hit my 30-year anniversary of being in Houston. And here before I went to Texas A&M, I was a self-taught guitar player. I learned how to play the saxophone in junior high band, which led me to learn about music, reading and keys, and how all the instruments all come together. And I learned to play the guitar from myself and lessons from my grandfather. But I wound up auditioning for a band called The String Benders and got into the band. And I was with that band for about 18 years until last year. I left that band wanting to just kind of make a change,” Garcia said.
When did you get your first guitar?
“I started playing guitar when I was around 14. The movie ‘La Bamba’ had just come out. I think I am giving off my age right now, but when I saw that movie, I was at the theater with my mom. I begged her for a guitar, so she got me this guitar from Mexico. And I don't know if a lot of folks are familiar with the Mexican guitars, but they have a huge neck on them and are really hard to play. But I learned—that's how I got my first guitar,” Maldonado said.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
“I'd say, basically, we describe ourselves as a party band. One time me and Jay were having a conversation, and we asked ourselves that. How do we describe ourselves? Like, we're a party band,” Garcia said.
“Yeah, we try to base ourselves on the foundation of being fun, crowd interactive, and just somewhere where people can go just to enjoy a band and with the diversity of music,” Boudoin said.
What are your favorite songs to play as a band?
“I personally love the female anthems that I sing because it gets all the women ... to the dance floor and having a really good time, so I'd say my favorites to sing and get a reaction usually from the ladies with songs like ‘Before He Cheats’ by Carrie Underwood, ‘I'm the Only One’ by Melissa Etheridge and ‘Proud Mary’ by Tina Turner," Griffin said.
What is something people don’t know about Bayou Junction Band that you would like them to know?
“I've been loving to sing since I was probably 2. I've sung in choirs, in school, and church and stuff, but I grew up with severe stage fright. Growing up, I've always wanted to do something like this, but just never ... had the guts. With my older age, I found some courage, and I reached out to Jay and he gave me that. I think this band is a blend not only of diversity and culture and people and types of music but also of experience. This band gave people like Jay and I who were ... newer to the music scene our chance to do something we always wanted to do,” Griffin said.
As a local band serving the North Houston area, what is the message that you would like to give to the community or your fans in the area?
“Go out and support the local bands. Give things a chance; give us a chance and the venue a chance. If you give us a chance, you might be surprised at the venue and the music that you hear from not only us but all the other bands,” Garcia said.
Upcoming concerts scheduled include:
- June 22, 6:30 p.m.
- Free
- Waterway Square, 31 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands
- Facebook: Bayou Junction Band
