Having played guitar since he was 12, and doing so live and in clubs for some 40 years, Shreveport’s Chuck Jones knows a thing or two about music. So, when he compliments another local musician – in this case, Joe Nadeau – that compliment carries weight. “I would tell my wife if I want to go out and listen to somebody play guitar, I want to go see Joe,” Jones said. “He’s the real deal when it comes to playing music.” But because of a stroke last September, Nadeau’s guitar has gone silent. “Joe’s really struggling. He can hardly walk. He can’t play guitar anymore.” Not only does Nadeau no longer have the ability to perform, he doesn’t have the means to earn a paycheck. “Playing the guitar was his only source of income. He lost use of about half of his body. He can’t play.” With that in mind, Jones is organizing a fundraiser for Nadeau. The event will also recognize another local talent, Buddy Flett. The Joe Nadeau Fundraiser/Buddy Flett and Friends Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, April 13th, from 3-7pm at The Noble Savage Restaurant in downtown Shreveport.
JOE NADEAU
“We’re very appreciative of The Noble Savage,” Jones said. “The Noble Savage has been very supportive of the local music scene.”
Admission to the event will be free, with money for Nadeau raised through the selling of raffle tickets, and the asking for donations. But attending isn’t the only way you can help Nadeau. Jones has set up a Go Fund Me page. You can access that page by going to www.gofundme.com, and searching “Joe Nadeau”.
“He needs assistance with food, utilities, all of the above,” Jones said. “His girlfriend has had to quit her job in order to help take care of him.”
A Texas blues guitarist, Nadeau played locally for 13 years. However, he is best known for working with – and helping shape the music of – Shreveport’s multiple award-winning guitarist and songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
“Joe is a local legend. Joe was tapped to help a young Kenny Wayne Shepherd back in Kenny Wayne’s early days. They hooked up Kenny Wayne with Joe so Joe could mentor Kenny Wayne. Joe is just a really good Christian man. A good servant. A good citizen. It just breaks our heart that Joe is in the situation he’s in. I want to try to do anything I can to help Joe in his current situation.”
BUDDY FLETT
At the same time, Flett will be honored for his talents. The grammy-nominated musician, who made a name for himself as lead guitarist for local bands A-Train and The Bluebirds, also toured with Shepherd.
“Come out and support live music and support a musician that’s in need of help,” Jones said. “Come out and show appreciation to Buddy Flett, who is a local legend. We are very proud to have Buddy here in the Shreveport-Bossier area. We would like for folks to come out and show their support for Buddy Flett as well.”
“It’s important for us to remember our past and honor the past. The legacy of the musicians we have in this town is just incredible. I always try to give a nod to the past.”
– Chuck Jones
Jones is no stranger to helping people in need. This will be the seventh year he has organized the Chuck Jones Thanksgiving Benefit for the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank. The 2025 event will be held in November at the Elks Lodge in Shreveport. “We have live music. We have food. We sell raffle tickets,” Jones said. We ask people to bring canned goods. Last year, we raised about $2,000 dollars, and 1,000 pounds of canned goods.” Now retired after a 30-year career with CenterPoint Energy, Jones believes helping people shouldn’t be an exception. It should be an expectation.
“If you are in a position to give, and that can be in any number of ways, I think a person should do that. A person should help. There’s plenty of need out there. I have worked off and on with the food bank for 20 years, doing things like fundraisers and canned good drives. One year back in the 90’s, we rented Festival Plaza and did a big event called Rockin’ for a Reason. We had five bands and did a canned goods drive. I’ve been a big proponent of the Food Bank, but really, it’s just helping people in general. We’re put on this earth, and we’re blessed to be on this earth, and you should give back. You should help people.”
When Jones isn’t planning events, he’s a working musician. Jones is involved with five musical projects and has a sixth project in the works. Jones plays in three bands. The Lost Boys has been together 28 years. Jones also headlines The Chuck Jones Band, and plays in the Tony Cascio band, which includes Nadeau’s bass player and drummer. Also, Jones is half of the duo Jess and Chuck, and hosts Jim’s Jam the third Sunday of each month at The Noble Savage. Jim’s Jam, which used to be called the Sunday Jam, is a tribute to Jones’ late friend and fellow local musician Jim Malsch, who died in 2023. “It’s important for us to remember our past and honor the past. The legacy of the musicians we have in this town is just incredible. I always try to give a nod to the past.”
