Sounds of St. Charles

Boutte singer says that rhythm and blues runs through his veins

If you’re from St. Charles Parish, then you’ve probably heard of a man named Blanche Newsome.But if the name doesn’t ring a bell, then you must have seen his face before. After all, he can be spotted on any given day singing and performing throughout the area.

Newsome, who pegs himself a rhythm and blues singer, takes his act on stage for audiences across the region, but has made a name for himself locally with performances at venues such as the Luling Living Center, the German Coast Farmer’s Market and the St. Charles Business Fair – just to name a few.

“Show business runs in my family,” said Newsome, who resides in Boutte. “My mother was a singer, my grandfather played the guitar and I started singing at the age of 15.”

Newsome, who originally hails from St. Louis, Mo., made his way south on Nov. 13, 1973 after graduating from a laboratory technique school.

“I grew up in a downtrodden neighborhood in St. Louis that I wanted to get out of,” said Newsome. “So I started singing and dancing, and eventually began traveling with a carnival with a singing group.”

But Newsome didn’t relocate to Louisiana until after he completed a stint in the United States Navy and earned his degree.

“My mother was the one who really inspired me to go to school,” he said. “And after graduation, I came to Luling to work as a lab tech at St. Charles Parish Hospital.”

Yet after two years, Newsome was recruited as a chemical analyst for Occidental Chemical, and also began singing with his sons Rashad and Blanche Jr. at the nursing home in Luling.

“One day Rashad asked me to start singing with him, so I did.” added Newsome. “And next thing I know, he’s preforming at the nursing homes and me and Blanche Jr. are backing him up. And it was great doing something with them.”

But once as his sons got older, they wanted to venture out on their own. Rashad, now 29, moved to New York right after high school to work as an artist and Blanche Jr. began industrial work.

“After my kids were grown, I started performing by myself,” said Newsome. “I even went out and bought me a cheap tuxedo for my shows.”

Newsome, who is also the resident pavilion singer at City Park’s Christmas in the Oaks, now travels to Slidell to entertain nursing home residents.

“What makes my show unique is that I can start out singing Nat King Cole and finish with Frank Sinatra,” continued Newsome. “But this is the bottom line of what I do, while I’m singing songs, I’m doing the audience good. Not only is my music entertaining, but it’s therapeutic, too.”

Eventually Newsome began working at Avondale Shipyard, 10 minutes outside of St. Charles Parish. There he was roused to write the song “Louisiana Hard Hat Blues,” which landed him a spot on a WWL newscast.

“I’m not sure how they heard about me, but they did, and asked me to perform on television,” said Newsome. “It was the same year of the Oklahoma City bombing and I supposed that my hard hat song gave a little relief from all the devastating news that day. And they even let me sing the whole thing.”

After his television debut, Newsome says that the gig offers came pouring in and he began performing for a more-sophisticated audience.

“I think that people like me because I can sing any song they want to hear, I arrive on time, I’m professional and respectful, and I understand what my role is as an entertainer.

“And from where I stand, I’m having fun and my wife Florence, the light of my life, helps keep me grounded,” he added. “If I come home after a performance thinking that I’m ‘all that,’ she puts my feet back on the ground and tells me to take out the trash.”

Newsome says that his family is his No. 1 priority and believes that he and his wife are truly meant to be.

“The Lord says that there is someone for everyone, and I know that it’s true. Florence and I have been married for 33 years.

With the help of Rev. Ernest White of Waggaman, Newsome recorded his first album and is working on his second. He also credits Pastor Chris Janeau of Changing Generations Church in Boutte and the pastor’s wife, Co-Pastor Cyntrell Janeau.

“Working with Rev. White was the first time that experienced ‘studio life,’” said Newsome. “And it’s tough. We really did spend all night in the recording studio.”

As for other hobbies, Newsome keeps busy with yard work and other household duties.

“I promised the Lord, if you give me a house, I’ll take care of it,” added Newsome.

You can see Newsome live on stage with the Gospel Inspirations of Boutte on Feb. 28 at the “Gospel Explosion” event at Hahnville High School.

He’ll also be performing at the west bank farmer’s market throughout the next six months.