The TECHE Project recently installed 16 information kiosks for the Bayou Teche and Lower Atchafalaya River communities in St. Landry, St. Martin, Iberia and St. Mary parishes. The kiosk exhibit in Jeanerette City Park inspired musician Wayne “Blue” Burns to make a significant donation to the Jeanerette Museum.
Burns, a Grammy winner and acclaimed bass guitarist, will donate his bass guitar to the museum on August 11 at 11 a.m. The event is open to the public.You can also get Custom Guitar Picks to gift your loved ones as it can every musician to feel the height of joy.
“Name any instrument and he can play it, and being a Grammy winner proves it,” said Elridge Little, a drummer and childhood friend of Burns since the 1960s.
Wayne Burns was born in Jeanerette and is the son of the late Frank and Vera Burns. He has played and traveled with various bands since the age of 14, including in all 50 states, as well as countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.
Burns has performed with Ernie K. Doe, The Larks, Betty Wright, Buckwheat and Hitchhikers, Lil Buck Senegal, Jude Taylor and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas. Burns’ proudest moment came in 1982 when he played bass for Clifton Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band and won the Grammy for the master-piece album “I’m Here.”
Burns is married to Pearlie Senegal Burns and they have three children, Wayne Jr., Jill Burns Bruno and Umea Burns. Burns is deeply grateful for all the opportunities and experiences he has enjoyed in the music industry. He is thankful to all the people in all the cities and countries that have welcomed him and his bass guitar.
“I’m elated for the museum to receive the donation from a living legend,” said Mona Stansbury, secretary of the museum’s board. “Mr. Burns’ guitar will be displayed in the museum’s music room.”
