Joey Drago & Bernie Cyrus at The Rollin'  on the River Fest  Natchitoches, Louisiana 2005 Bandmates.."Hot Down South" Frank Savoy ... The man with the White Sax and Derby ( see pic Page) and Harmonica extordinaire! Tony Anzalone joins Band...a third generation musician , Tony brings his six-sting Bass to the stage and delivers the     Bluesy Funk sound that made Louisiana famous. How Did Bernie Return to Performing? Because of his  early  retirement , (March 2006 ) as The Louisiana Music Commissioner for  over fourteen years , Bernie felt it was time to break his  "Musician in Remission" status. This situation was self-imposed as Bernie put his passion for helping other musicians above his personal music career. Assistant Director , Steve Picou gigged a few times while still working  for the LMC since he got a verbal OK (Ethics Board) and a command performance to perform with his old band Bas Clas . Bernie encouraged this and other  Charity gigs. Bas Clas , much like Bernie's first highly successful band (Silverleaf)    had a huge regional following. If you check out " The History of New Orleans Rock"  there is a notice from  Randy Jackson (Zebra ) about Bernie & Silverleaf. Big J Productions managed both bands & still books them ! Both bands SilverLeaf & Zebra came out of the same  Club scene often playing weekends at the Rader's Club, Rip Van Winkle's, Hucks on the Levee, The Quarter Note, ands dozens of HIgh School, CYO and Frat & Sorority Socials. Not to mention the Deep South Rock Circuit. Zebra went to New York and made the big time. Bernie got married and opened a recording studio in the French Quarter in the 80's. Perhaps the fact that both bands  played in 1976 along with The Meters, Kolour, The Bel Airs & a few other top New Orleans rockers were recorded "LIVE" on WNOE FM's   Monday Night Live with Legendary DJ & recording artist from Atlanta Records, Bobby Reno (now on 94.7 WTIX FM) is a testament to their  success. These recordings are classic & can be found on CDs now 3o yrs later. There is a great article by The Driftwood  UNO Student  newspaper that covers these top New Orleans bands. Now that New Orleans Rock History! Bernie had been playing , hosting and singing for dozens of charity gigs and  was  one of  "The Cute Guys" in Amanda Shaw's band .He was one of  her original guitar players for   over a year year early in her career. He enjoyed teaching her "stage antics" that  brought out her showmanship. "She is an extraordinary entertainer and she plays a mean fiddle!"  says Bernie. Although, Bernie never took pay  for performing while he was the  Music Commissioner  or for hosting  hundreds of TV and Radio Shows. He maintained his intellectual property and is looking at several options to syndicate Nationally. New Orleans After Midnight and LTV...( named changed to Louisiana Jukebox) Louisiana Music Television.  With 7 Cable Ace  Nominations & Six Awards. Voted by GAMBIT WEEKLY as New Orleans Hottest TV Production! Even now , he is more than thankful he can pay his bandmates  a good living  while he has donated  thousands of dollars to some of his favorite Charities . Groups like wewillmarchon.com (Habitat for Humanity). Cancer Crusaders, Legacy  Music ( Christian Label).... His new Christmas CD  will be featuring his long time friends Aaron Neville, Vince Vance, Coco Robichaux and others will be a  major benefactor to the LSU musicians Clinic  as 100% of the proceeds after expenses will be donated! BC comes back strong! Bernie has been fortunate to have been booked since day one as a professional musician. He has played The Tap Room (Covington Block Party) , Ruby's Roadhouse ( Steven Seagal sat in) The Ladies went crazy! The Green Room, Louisiana Grill Grand Opening with his old friend Rockin' Dopsie, Friends Restaurant and Bar, and The Tchfuncte Country Club with Rockabilly sensation Gerald Craddock. The comeback...It started so fast...Thanks Sonny!. " I was invited by Harry Connick, Jr's Orpheus organisation to Headline it's prestigious Ball..Orpheuscapade along with The Top Cats, Chee Wees, Ivan Neville and Steven Seagal (Monarch).. both my bands Jazz and Rock played. Jazz on the Saints Float (see picture on picture page) and my Rock Band featuring  Joey Drago and "Hot Down South" played the main stage...people say we "Rocked" ...it sure felt great to be back". Says Bernie. Come see the show... Way down here the truth can be found! Bernie Blog....for the official record! 1990 recording with Legendary Earl Turbington... And then history begins a new era in Louisiana Music. The Governor calls (1991) and says "Do you want to head the Louisiana Music Commission? " It's like getting married , to a beautiful seductress who likes to keep you on your toes. You work hard and expect a few distractions .  Fourteen years later,  we still feel proud of our record." We had few critics and received hundreds of support letters and hundreds of   jobs created directly and indirectly... "Before Bernie Cyrus and Ellis Marsalis took over the official State agency promoting music , the  Music Commission was a wasteland. Their hard work presented a renaissance for thousands of musicians and music industry people. "Al Donavon , former Executive Counsel to Governor. Although the current State Government killed thousands ( website) of hours of work dedicated to promotion and archival production, we are undaunted and continue our sacred mission to secure a prosperous music industry. These are some of the   major accomplishments of the LMC ... >Elimination of the 60 yr. old Music Tax in New Orleans >Founding THe New Orleans JazzCentennial ( celebrating 1OO yrs of Jazz) > Being awarded the honor to launch The Louis Armstrong Postage Stamp ( Originally Awarded to New York) We Changed their { US Postal Service) minds.Thanks to Ellis, US Sen Bennett Johnson, Kermit Ruffins , the late great Percy Humphrey  , George and Nina Buck. Over 0ne million in economic development.! Not long after N.O Airport was re-named after Satchmo. >Creating "Informances " free Jazz concerts and history lessons to hundreds of thousands of students statewide >C0-Founding & designing the Robert Nims Jazz Walk of Fame in Algiers with Blaine Kern > Creating LTV  (later Louisiana JUkebox) the National Cable   Ace winning  Live Cable music TV Show > Creating "New Orleans After Midnight" The highest rated (Nielsen) music TV  Show of all time :Both shows featured Thousands of Louisiana musicians >Creating Louisianmusic.org The Worlds first Website dedicated to promoting Louisiana music ( sadly after over 10 years corrupt State Officials, currently under  criminal investigation,  killed it and all it's glorious history in an act of trying to rewrite our legacy) >Serving on The Governor's (Foster) State Quarter Commission which insured music would be one of only two States, Lousiana & Tennessee  whom recognized their respective music legacies.  He also produced an incredible kick off Show. ..featuring Ellis Marsalis & Pete Fountain (1st. Time playing together), Irma Thomas, Jean Knight, Kermit Ruffins, Rockin Dopsie, Doug Kershaw with Hunter Hayes & Amanda Shaw...closing the show a Jam with Bernie & Brian Stoltz playing Rockin in the Free World with The Zydeco Twisters! >Creating buylouisianamusic.com (also killed) which enabled all Louisiana musicians to sell on the internet without having to pay! >Brought back live music to Lafayette Square >Helped raise thousands of dollars to launch the LSU Musicians Clinic > Co-creating the 1st James Burton International Guitar Festival in Shreveport > Helped hundreds of young musicians get started > Helped dozens of aging Musicians pay bills and retrieve royalty money >Helped create Loyola and Delgado's Music Business Colleges Bernie wishes to give his thanks to all those wonderful people who helped make this legacy a "Golden Age" of Louisiana Music! n, .

Bernie Cyrus