Benefit planned to help stroke victim Joe Nadeau

One of Shreveport-Bossier’s most talented musicians needs help, and many of his industry friends are more than willing.

Joe Nadeau, a singer, guitarist and songwriter, recently suffered a stroke. To assist with medical and other expenses, there will be a benefit at the Shreveport Elks Lodge on East Preston Street on Sunday, Sept. 29, from noon to 8 p.m.

“Joe has always been right there,” said benefit organizer and fellow musician Robin Vosbury. “Anytime anybody asked, any time I’ve called him and asked to participate in a benefit, he would do benefits for people he didn’t even know. Joe called it doing God’s work. Joe’s always been front and center any time anybody needed any help. Now it’s his turn.”

There isn’t a cost to attend the benefit.

There will be seven bands performing, a silent auction “and a few other little surprises.”

“We had to cut it at seven (bands) because of time constraints,” Vosbury said. “People have come out of the woodwork offering to play or anything else they can do. We circle the wagons when we have to, and they’re really stepping up this time, too.”

Joe is not a native of the area, but it didn’t take him long to be accepted.

“Joe is from Massachusetts. We won’t hold that against him,” Vosbury said, laughing.

“He came down and did his work with Kenny Wayne (Shepherd) and wrote a lot of good stuff. Everybody in the local community just really, really respects Joe. He’s talented — he’s just one of those guys that’s at another level. He’s the next level up of talent. Besides that, he’s just a great guy.”

When asked if Nadeau is best known as a singer, songwriter or guitarist, Vosbury said, “Yes.”

“Most people really, really know him, especially locally, as a guitar player and singer.

He’s more than just a guitar player, but that’s kind of what he’s known for here. Especially the blues and Texas blues. He’s got a style that is unique.”

According to the website Last.fm, Nadeau began playing guitar when he was 12 and soon became enamored with the blues. He was later working at a guitar shop in Dallas, Texas, when he met Shepherd. The two teamed up for two platinum records before Nadeau went solo. In 2001, Nadeau released “Burning Sands,” which received critical acclaim.

Vosbury doesn’t know when or if Nadeau will make it back on stage, which is why the benefit is so important.

“He’s unable to work, and he’s going to be struggling for a while,” Vosbury said. “We want to do all we can to help a good man out.”