William Semmes “Bleu” Evans (May 18th, 1950) Page 2
Evans has also recorded in other studios around the world with artists including Sammy Davis, Jr.’s “Now” album, which includes the Number 1 hit record “Candy Man”. The “Now” album was Sammy’s, Bleu’s, and Steve Hodge's first Gold Certified Album. Ed Greene, our leader, already had several, Eric Burdon and War, Lou Rawls, John Hiatt, Buddy Miles, Tanya Tucker, Hank Cochran, Emmylou Harris, Willy Nelson, Rodney Crowell, George Jones, Buddy Guy, Michael Sembello (of “Manic” fame), Doug Kershaw at Studio in the Country and Hollywood, Glen Campbell, The Osmond's, Artie Butler, The Cripples, Willy “Mink” DeVille, Judy Collins, The Germs, Teenage News, Ronnie Kole (recorded Ronnie’s album “Live at Carnegie Hall”), Rick Nelson (recorded Rick’s last album, “Playing To Win”, before his unfortunate death in a plane crash), Governor Jimmy Davis’s “Live” album at the First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA., The Los Angeles Philharmonic at Capitol Records in Hollywood, CA., and recorded the London Philharmonic Orchestra and mixed LeRoux’s album “Keep the Fire Burning” album at George Martin’s (Producer of the Beatles) Air Studios in London. Evans was infamous for accidentally breaking the Beatles' Producer, George Martin's leg in a limousine accident at Air Studios London. The limousine had bullet proof doors and Evans did not see George getting out on Bleu's side and Bleu slammed the door unknowingly.
Evans was also instrumental in bringing a “Recording Engineering Degree Program” before the Louisiana State University (LSU) Board of Regents who later made it a reality. He has also shared his recording theories, knowledge of acoustics, and his “Mountain and Valley Equalization System” he created with a great group of engineers and producers who he employed at Studio in the Country. These include Lynn and Lee Peterzell: Tim McGraw, Eddie Rabbit, Clint Black and many more. David Farrell: Gatemouth Brown, James Booker, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Jacques Higelin, Bobby Charles, and too many others to mention. Steven Hodge (came back with me from MGM Hollywood): The Wild Magnolias, Professor Longhair, Dick Rivers, Boston, Janet Jackson. Edwin Hobgood: Chris Isaak, Maze, Featuring Frankie Beverly, Doc and Merle Watson. Jimmy Stroud: Jimmy Buffett, Clint Black. Paul Black: Gary Wright (Dream Weaver) Paul Williams, The Doors, Judy Collins, Rita Coolidge, and Jackson Browne, etc., Ray Black: Kansas, Thunderhead, Maze, Featuring Frankie Beverly, and others. Bruce Irving: The Rockets, Doug Kershaw, Zachary Richard, and several additional artists.
After selling the studio Evans bought his father’s wholesale distribution company, “The Evans Tobacco Company” (later changed to “The Evans Distribution Group”.) The company distributed to convenience stores in 7 states. This company was sold to John Georges, C.E.O. of Georges Enterprises and is now called “Imperial Trading Co.” Evans also owned a chain of convenience stores in 5 states.
Evans also started a new software company, “Creative Data Research, Inc”. CDR developed the most used software system in the wholesale distribution industry in the United States. The CDR “DAC System” (Distributor- Analysis-Control) is used by distributors is all 50 states.
Evans is also considered to be the “Father of Pay at the Pump Technology”. Evans created the “Encompos” touch screen point of sale system which is found in almost every convenience store in the U.S.A. and worldwide. His idea was to not only allow a customer to pay at the pump but more important was his design of a system which would take the three main discrete systems that were in use at the time: point of sale register, electronic pump controller, and credit card verification systems. Evans moved them to a touch screen PC combining the three systems in to one totally integrated platform by replacing hardware with custom written software code. This is The CDR Encompos Retail Point of Sale System. The Encompos system was sold to Gilbarco, a division of Exxon.
In another historic achievement, Evans was the first person to install and present a professional live sound (audio) system on a Mardi Gras Float in 1981.
Evans is also a talented wood worker and furniture maker known for several works of art including Tiger Wood's "Master's Trophy Table" now in Florida and "Hartley Peavey's Music Chair" which resides in his office in Meridian, Mississippi today.
Bleu has produced concerts for charities; his favorite is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, who saved the life of his daughter, Kimberly Allison Evans. Bleu has 6 children: Dawn, a housewife in Covington, LA., Kimberly Allison Evans (deceased), Christopher S. Evans, a construction engineer with degrees in Construction Engineering and Business, (LSU), Kate E. Evans, an entertainment, motion picture and television attorney as well involved in production, (LSU, Loyola University, NOLA), Lizzie E. Evans, a software analyst, (LSU), and Patrick J.S. Evans who graduated in 2017 with a degree in International Studies from LSU. Patrick is multi-lingual and can be found in many Central and South American Countries studying, performing Spanish Language interpretation, and teaching English.
Bleu is also the holder of many certifications:
> Adobe Certified Expert - Adobe Analytics Architect
> Cisco Certified CCNA
> Microsoft Certified Application Architect
> IBM Certified Application Developer-Websphere
Bleu has 3 extremely close sisters, Mary Jo Evans Lundy and Husband Arvid, Catherine Ann Evans Williams and Husband Ernest, and Beverly Jane Evans Knight and Husband Ralph. Much of Bleu's Love and Support has come from his Sisters and Brothers-in-Law.
Bleu Evans is an alumnus of:
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
(LSU, Business Administration, IT) (now termed "Computer Science).
The University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA, General Physics).
Brigham Young University, Provo
(BYU, Acoustical Physics).
Mike Shepherd stated, "Bleu Evans is Truly one of the Most Influential People in the History of Louisiana Music".
Bleu Evans is Uniquely Deserving of His Place in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame".
