Bayou Junction Band Brings Dynamic Party Music to North Houston

Named to represent the Bayou City of Houston and the bayous of New Orleans, the Bayou Junction Band brought its dynamic style to North Houston in early 2023. The band performs a variety of covers of songs, such as “La Bamba,” from Texas music. Tornadoes and Beatles hits.

The band performs at venues across North Houston including The Woodlands Township, Woodlands Country Club, Rosehill Beer Garden, Pacific Yard House and Brew:30 Taphouse. Comprised of several members, including natives of Houston and New Orleans, the Bayou Junction Band includes:

• Singer Geri Griffin
• Joe Garcia, accordionist and rhythm guitarist
• Lead guitarist Jamie Maldonado
• Drums and percussion player Steve Owens
• Bassist Jay Boudoin

How was the group formed?

“I had started playing bass about four years ago, and after about a year, I just got tired of playing by myself, and I was like, ‘Well, I want to start a band.’ And so we formed a little neighborhood group,” Boudoin said.

What made you start a band?

“My youngest son was drum captain at Louisiana State University and he said, ‘Dad, why don’t we start doing it now?’ So I took his advice, and I did it, and it turned into where we are now; and I’m living the dream of doing it with great people, and I’m as happy as a lark every day,” Boudoin said.

What was your experience as a musician?

“So I’ve been in Houston since 1994. I’m about to celebrate 30 years of being in Houston. And here, before I went to Texas A&M, I was a self-taught guitarist. I learned to play the saxophone in a college orchestra, which led me to learn more about music, reading and keys, and how all the instruments fit together. And I learned to play guitar from myself and my grandfather’s lessons. But I ended up auditioning for a group called The String Benders and I got into the group. And I was part of that group for about 18 years until last year. I left that group just wanting to make a change,” Garcia said.

When did you buy your first guitar?

“I started playing guitar around 14 years old. The film ‘La Bamba’ had just been released. I think I’m giving my age away right now, but when I saw this movie, I was in the theater with my mom. I begged her to give me a guitar, so she bought me this guitar from Mexico. And I don’t know if many people know about Mexican guitars, but they have a huge neck and are really difficult to play. But I learned: that’s how I got my first guitar,” Maldonado said.

How would you describe the music you usually create?

“I would say basically we describe ourselves as a party band. Once Jay and I were having a conversation and we asked this question. How do we describe ourselves? We’re a party band,” Garcia said.

“Yeah, we try to base it on being fun, interactive with the crowd and just a place where people can go just to enjoy a band and the diversity of music,” Boudoin said.

What are your favorite songs to play as a group?

“Personally, I like the female anthems that I sing because they get all the women…on the dance floor and having a really good time, so I would say I sing my favorites and I usually get a reaction ladies with songs like Carrie Underwood’s ‘Before He Cheats,’ Melissa Etheridge’s ‘I’m the One’ and ‘Proud Mary,'” Griffin said.

What’s something people don’t know about the Bayou Junction Band that you wish they knew?

“I’ve loved singing since I was probably 2 years old. I sang in choirs, in school, in church and all that, but I grew up with intense stage fright. Growing up, I always wanted to do something like this, but never had the courage. With my advanced age, I found courage, I contacted Jay and he gave it to me. I think this band is a mixture of not only diversity, culture, people and types of music, but also experience. This band gave people like Jay and me, who were… newer to the music scene, our chance to do something we always wanted to do,” Griffin said.

As a local band serving the North Houston area, what message would you like to convey to the community or your fans in the area?

“Go out and support local groups. Give things a chance; give us a chance and give us a chance instead. If you give us a chance, you might be surprised by the venue and by the music you will hear not only from us but from all the other bands,” Garcia said.