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The band plays Jan. 21
at American Red Cross Culinary Classic sponsored by Northwest
Louisiana Chapter. The band is donating its
services so more proceeds can go directly to helping those in need in
the community.
Super Group is just one
among dozens of bands that perform on the local social circuit. It is so popular that pal
Chris Krison and bride Jeannie Krison planned their wedding for Nov. 24,
the only date left on the Super Group calendar when they called almost a
year in advance. What makes a band
successful? "Keeping up with
people who are dancing and playing what they want. Energy. You have got
to have energy. If you don't, the people feel it," said musician
Bill Causey, who has directed bands here since 1972.
"The band is so much
fun. He interacts with people at the party and I think his involvement
makes the occasion special. He has a really good band and plays all kind
of music. All age groups seem to enjoy the band," said longtime
time Harmon pal Jimmy Gosslee. He hired Super Group to play at the Dec.
29 wedding of daughter Krista Lauren Gosslee to Robert Douglas LeBlanc
Jr.
Drew thinks his band is
popular because it has the Motown sound that seems to appeal to all
generations. "The sheer size. Women
in the band and a big horn section are a great big draw. We also
interact with each other and respond to guests," said Drew.
At the Gosslee wedding
reception, Super Group started off with Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools
and Respect and through the evening played other such tunes as Glenn
Miller's In the Mood and Creedence Clearwater Revival's version of Proud
Mary. Then there was Every Time I Roll the Dice, Fly Me to the Moon and
Play That Funky Music White Boy.
The band includes lead
vocalist Mike Morris of Many, Furniture Store owner;
vocalist-choreographer Kathy Dollar, Natchitoches, public school special
ed teacher, who has performed with Drew since 1973; and trombone player
John LeBoeuf, Alexandria, vice president of Centennial Wireless, the
band's designated driver.
Super Group has played bar
mitzvahs, wedding receptions and class reunions. They've performed at
Louisiana State Bar and Louisiana District Attorney associations. And
for the Blount Family Reunion in Union Springs, Ala., and the Cane
Bangers' Dance Club, Selma, Ala.
They are regulars at local
casinos. To clear up any ethics
problems over whether a judge can do business with riverboat casinos,
the Louisiana Legislature, at the band's request, passed a special law.
It says that elected public officials who also are professional
performing musicians may contract with casinos for their musical
services.
In November, the band took
a seven-day Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Inspiration
from New Orleans. "We played for people from teen-agers to
80," said Drew. Like chameleons, they
change attire with the occasion. They wore tropical casual for the
Krison wedding at the Elks Club and black tie for the Gosslee-LeBlanc
wedding.
Drew started his music
career in 1962 when he began tinkering with the keyboard by ear. "I never really
learned to read music. I'm not talented, but I'm diligent." he said
in an interview in his 2nd Circuit office. He keeps a keyboard on the
desk in the office where walls are filled with law books and portraits
of his grandfather and great-grandfather who were also 2nd Circuit
judges. "I might come in and
practice an introduction I am not getting. Or I peck on a song we might
try ... quietly, so I don't bother other judges," he added, with a
chuckle.
His first band, The Monks,
played Bob Dylan. After two years, he changed the name to Ivy Peebles
Medicine Show Band. His early band's first gigs
were for Minden High School after-football game dances. "We got $25 a night
and were glad to get it," he said. Through college and law
school, Drew's bands played on.
Music is in his blood, but
he is serious about his law career and proud that he is a fifth
generation lawyer/judge. He is the son of the late
Harmon and Margaret Drew of Minden and a graduate of LSU and LSU Law
School. Law is a career he shares
with wife Jean, whom he met in law school. They have two children.
Richard, 29, is working on a Ph.D. at the University of Virginia, and
Georgia, 25, graduates from Louisiana Tech in May. The Drews practiced law
together in private practice and in the Bossier-Webster District
Attorney's office. And both ended up at 2nd
Circuit - she before he was elected a judge - and she is now his law
clerk. He served as Minden City Judge three years and Bossier/Webster
Assistant District Attorney 10 before he was elected Bossier-Webster
District Judge 14 years ago. He's served three years on
the 2nd Circuit. Legal claims to fame? "All of these cases
are important - And at this level, they're all difficult." he said.
When he is not playing
music or judging? "Jean and I have
taught the law of search and seizure and the criminal code to well over
3,000 peace officers." said Drew. The Drews also publish two
books a year that explain Louisiana legislature amendments. "Drew's
True Blue Book" explains criminal law amendments in real simple
terms," said Drew. Some 2,000 to 3,000 are
sold all over Louisiana.
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