Louisiana the word alone conjures up images of good times, good food, and always good music. From Zydeco, Cajun French, New Orleans jazz and funk, to low-down dirty blues. The music of Louisiana offers many musically diverse diving off' points for aspiring musicians. Brent Rodgers dove into gut-bucket Louisiana blues, and surfaced with a burning desire to get up, get out, and spread the gospel, backed by a band of stellar musicians, the New Birth Evangelicals.

Brent a 33 year old singer, songwriter and guitarist covers lots of musical ground with the rare ability to tie the music all together with genre crossing ease. Hard-hitting funk collides head on with mournful open-tuned G slide (played with the nearest beer bottle Rodgers can find). Songwriter fare, soaked in soul and jangly guitar tones, gives way to an acoustic number or three.

After returning from a stint as a sideman for Roy Carrier, a Louisiana Zydeco legend, Brent Rodgers hooked up with Tim Smith to do a few acoustic shows... Naturally, one thing led to another and, the New Birth Evangelicals were born. The band's name is a commentary on Rodgers' Baptist upbringing. I never could make the choir, so I started my own.

Rock-solid rhythm is provided by Dallas alternative veteran Bam Arceneaux on drums, and Lafayette native 'Tick' Wilson on Bass guitar. Steady, strong, and versatile, they provide plenty of hard-hitting groove, regardless of which musical hoop they happen to be jumping through.

Helping to keep things rockin' out front and generally raising hell, is twenty one year old Tim Smith wailing madly on his harp and playing percussion. Also a Blues disciple and historian, he takes the sound of the band to new heights. A true musician blessed with soul and moves, Tim proves his mastery of the harmonica. (ie: John Popper, Kim Wilson, and Lee Oskar) What's that? Harmonica's just for the blues? Not the way this kid plays it. Everything from roots-rock to red-eyed reggae goes better with a splash of harp.

With the ability to satisfy a wide range of appetites, they take roots-music a little further out. They have developed a unique spicy flavor mined from the .rich vein that is Louisiana's Musical Heritage. Brent Rodgers and The New Birth Evangelicals are a guarantee when it comes to giving every spectator a severe case of happy feet. The band works hard to provide a great time for all, and they deliver with consistency every time.