Taylor Porter was a proud sponsor of the 2016 Blues Gala, presented by the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, and held Sunday Oct. 2, at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library. The evening included performances from Henry Gray and Kenny Neal, and tributes to Rudy Richard and the late Raful Neal. The 2016 honorees were: Blues Original: Howlin Wolf; Red Stick Blues Award: Kenny Neal; and Living Legend: Henry Gray.

Founded in 2002, the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation is a 501(c)3, whose mission is to preserve, promote and propel Baton Rouge and swamp blues. Through initiatives such as the Baton Rouge Blues Gala and the Baton Rouge Blues Festival, the organization develops programs to present blues culture via historical music markers, high school education, and a storytellers’ series held at the festival called Back Stage at the Blues Fest.