Ponderosa Stomp to feature rare appearance by Roky Erickson

Roots music festival Ponderosa Stomp is set to return to its usual home city of New Orleans in May, a year after being temporarily exiled to Memphis in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The sixth incarnation of the festival, which "celebrates and pays tribute to the unsung heroes of rock 'n roll, rhythm & blues, and other forms of American roots music," according to organizers, will take place May 2 at the New Orleans House of Blues with a lineup that includes a rare appearance by the reclusive Roky Erickson, former frontman of the 13th Floor Elevators.

Erickson, who makes extremely infrequent public appearances outside of his hometown of Austin, TX, will be backed during his Ponderosa gig by The Explosives (Freddie Krc, Waller Collie and Cam King), who backed Erickson during much of the '80s.

"Roky's appearance is a truly special occasion," said Dr. Ike, executive director and founder of the festival, in a press release. "It is only the fourth gig he has played out of Austin since his stupendous comeback. It is his first gig in New Orleans in more than 20 years. It will truly be a night to walk with the zombies under starry eyes."

Other performers scheduled for the event include the New Orleans Rhythm and Blues Revue, with arranger Wardell Quezergue; rockabilly artist Dale Hawk; R&B singer Little Jimmy Scott; Texas Tornado co-founder Augie Meyers; Stax sessions guitarist Skip Pitts and many others. A full listing of the event's performers can be found at the official Ponderosa Stomp < a href="http://www.ponderosastomp.com/" target="new">website.

The inaugural Ponderosa Stomp in 2000 spawned the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau, a non-profit group of music fans that partners with various organizations, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to help locate legendary musicians and assist with the restoration of their musical careers.

"The Ponderosa Stomp is a one-of-a-kind celebration of the roots, derivatives and other offshoots of the art form that we call rock 'n roll," said Terry Stewart, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in a press release.

Ponderosa Stomp performers over the years have included Tony Joe White, Link Wray, Scotty Moore and the Sun Ra Arkestra, among others.