Blown Away on the Bayou

Sept 30-Oct 3, 2026 | Southwest Louisiana

A Blues & Harmonica Summit in the Heart of Acadiana

Produced by The Whirlybird Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Why We Call It a Summit

Blown Away on the Bayou began around a kitchen table at The Whirlybird, somewhere in St. Landry Parish, Southwest Louisiana.

Over tea and pie, Grant Dermody, Christy Leichty, and Jim Phillips spent long afternoons talking about music, culture, community, learning—and what happens when remarkable people have enough time to sit together and listen to one another.

Eventually somebody had the bright idea to invite more people to the table.

Grant brought his lifelong passion for the harmonica. Christy and Jim brought their belief that the Blues lies at the heart of much of America’s roots music. And all around us was one of the richest musical cultures anywhere—Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, Blues, Gospel and roots artists, many of whom had already become friends through years of gatherings at The Whirlybird.

We chose the word Summit intentionally.

There are workshops, camps and music gatherings all over this country and around the world. Many of the people who come to Blown Away on the Bayou have been to plenty of them.

And they keep telling us the same thing:

There is no other place like The Whirlybird.

Here, the workshop doesn’t necessarily end when the workshop ends.

You sit close and learn from master musicians in focused, intimate workshops. Then you may eat with them, swap stories on the porch, hear somebody start a tune, and find yourself playing together. We have two levels of jams, so there’s room for people finding their way into playing with others and for experienced musicians ready to dig in.

And the table still matters.

Our chef, Jolie Meaux, has been feeding Blown Away on the Bayou since the beginning.

This is our fifth year, and some folks will tell you they’re coming back for the music.  Others are more honest.

Anyway, come for the whole Summit or

drop in for a workshop.

Come to learn something. Come to play something. Come hungry.