He was honored as Middle School Humanities State Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities in 2002. Twelve of those years he also served the town of Abita Springs as its Mayor. He was also a former Abita Town Talk columnist for the Times-Picayune.
He has chosen to lead a fulfilling second half of his life through various positions that he holds in the town of Abita Springs.
Bryan is the Music Producer and MC of the Abita Springs Opry. He lines up the music presented at the Opry and outside events in Abita. He sponsors a music series at the French Market in the month of August named “Opry at the Market.”
He also created what is becoming a very important music event named the Abita Springs “Busker” Festival. That event, held during the month of April features “buskers,” a name for street musicians from New Orleans. That festival is co-sponsored by the Abita Springs Opry and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation. It is also videoed and streamed live by WWOZ Radio.
He is a member of the Museum Committee for the town of Abita and was instrumental in the placement and resurrection of the building that houses it. Bryan is also on the Abita Historic Committee that oversees the design of homes to be built in the town to make sure they comply with the traditional architectural style.
Jazz Fest is an annual gig for Bryan where he demonstrates how to cook a traditional chicken & andouille sausage gumbo! He is a self-taught musician that enjoys playing guitar informally with his friends. Bryan built his first guitar and proudly plays it in the above photograph.
A typical day for Bryan starts with him enjoying a cup of coffee on his front porch watching the sunrise. Then he drives to the Abita Café to visit with friends over breakfast. He exercises 3 days a week, mostly through therapeutic swimming.
He enjoys visiting with the Mayor of Abita, playing music with friends, communicating with musicians to book shows, writing press releases/advertising for the Abita Opry (3 performances in the spring and 3 in the fall), and visiting with family members. All of his days give him purpose and fulfillment in life.
When asked if there was a talent he wished he had Bryan responded with “I wish I had the artistic vision and ability to see something and reproduce it on paper.” I got to view some of his artwork, and I was impressed.
A favorite item in his wardrobe would have to be his khaki shorts and a T-shirt!
His favorite song is “In My Life” by the Beatles. This was his wife’s favorite song and whenever it was played, as Bryan says it, “she looked at me lovingly with her expressive hazel green eyes and sang it to me while we danced.” Bryan’s wife, Pat, passed away three years ago, but he is very grateful for the forty five years they had together.
Bryan feels his greatest accomplishment in life is having been a successful husband and father. He is very proud of his children who have chosen to follow in his footsteps as educators.
Michael is a Science teacher and Head Basketball Coach at Fontainebleau High and his daughter Jennifer serves as an English teacher at Bonnabel High in Kenner. He also enjoys seeing his grandchildren Bryan Hannah and Faith.
