On June 17, three-time Grammy nominee and multiple-Blues Music Award winner Tab Benoit will represent southern Louisiana’s wetlands, the Voice of the Wetlands, and the Friends of New Orleans at a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. His mission is to draw legislators’ attention to the conditions and importance of the wetlands.

Benoit’s original style of roots music has given him the opportunity to take Louisiana’s message to the world on countless tours. In May, when Benoit won the Blues Foundation’s Best Contemporary Male Performer Award, he capitalized on the moment to inform the audience that very little is being done to preserve or rebuild the wetlands. The guitarist/singer says South Louisiana’s wetlands and river towns are more vulnerable then ever to storm surges, levee breaches, and flooding.

“Every recording I do and every award I receive gives me the opportunity to let people know that we are not safe,” says Benoit. “Even the slightest storm could destroy peoples’ lives and diminish the small amount of wetlands that we have left.”

Benoit’s latest CD, Night Train to Nashville on Telarc, was released on April 22.

On August 24, Benoit and the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars will open the Democratic National Convention in Denver. They continue with a string of non-partisan fundraisers and end on September 1 in Minneapolis with an invitation-only Republican National Convention after-party. Benoit will use the opportunity to speak about the importance of the southern Louisiana wetlands to the entire country.

The Voice of the Wetlands is an organization made up of strictly of volunteers who dedicate their talent, time and resources to bring global attention to south Louisiana and the world's coastal erosion problem.

The Friends of New Orleans is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization for people in the U.S. and abroad who care about New Orleans and its surrounding territory.

Thank you, Tab!