One of Western North Carolina’s premier dance bands, Bayou Diesel will get the crowd on their feet and moving with their famous Cajun/Zydeco and New Orleans Mardi-Gras dance music at Top of the Grade Concert at McCreery Park, Saluda, Friday, Aug. 22, 7 – 9pm.
The group was formed to provide the high energy dance music that has so long personified the base of Louisiana culture and their “joi d’ vivre.” Featuring several squeezebox accordions, a rub board and a solid rhythm section with French and English vocals, the group brings the audience quickly back to Mardi Gras and the celebration of traditions that go back centuries. The mantra has always been “Laissez les bon temps roulers” or as everybody knows “Let the Good Times Roll!”
Formed in 2005, the group has recorded two CD’s: “The Bayou Diesel Band” and “Sold Here” and plays often at festivals and clubs in the Asheville region. In
2013, Bayou Diesel performed at the world famous Merlefest in Wilkesboro, N.C.
Members of the band are; Ben Bjorlie-Drums, Steve Burnside-Accordions and vocals, Paul Leech-Bass, Miriam Allen-Rub-board and fiddle, David Zoll-guitar and vocals.
Top of the Grade concerts are coordinated by the City of Saluda’s Small Town Main Street program and funding for the Friday night concerts has been through a community grant from Polk County Community Foundation. All concerts are free to the public thanks to a Free Community Events grant.
Concertgoers should bring their own chairs or blankets. Food, soft drinks, beer and wine and coolers are allowed. No food will be available to purchase at the park, but all of Saluda’s delicious restaurants will be open serving everything from hamburgers and pizzas to gourmet meals. Events are rain or shine and rain events may move to the Pavilion.
Concerts are scheduled for second and fourth Friday through September. All performances will be held on the Ella Grace Mintz Stage from 7 – 9 p.m. at McCreery Park.

2014 Top of the Grade Concert Schedule
August 22 – Bayou Diesel
September 12 – Sound Investment
September 26 – Scoot Pitman

– article submitted
by Cathy Jackson