The town of Cognac has one main product -- cognac! If it's called "cognac," it must be produced in Cognac (otherwise it is called "brandy"). Gaye toured the House of Hennessey (pronounced "n-see" in French). She stands in awe in a warehouse. Later she tried many samples of different qualities of cognac. C'est ce bon!!!
Posing in the town plaza the day before the 4-day festival starts are (L to R) Oliver, a writer for Sud Ouest newspaper, blues musician Fruteland Jackson, Herve Fernandez, French guitarist who often accompanied Gaye, Sarah, one of the festival organizers, and the Sud Ouest photographer.
Gaye participated in many press, radio, and television interviews. The French loved Gaye and Gaye loved the French. Though lacking skills, she tried to communicate en Francais as much as possible.
Teenage students gather for a guitar workshop in the Cultural Center. Gaye focused on teaching the alternating thumb on the bass string technique.
Gaye poses with Damien Lopez, the 19-year old French guitar slinger. His style and tone emulate his idol, Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Gaye, playing harmonica, jumped off stage to get closer to the crowd. On stage, accompanying her is pianist Lisa Otey. Lisa is from Tucson, Arizona, and her band, The Lisa Otey Band, were part of the festival line up. Other performers included Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Shemekia Copeland, Bill Wyman, Alvin Youngblood Hart, and many others.
Open armed, Gaye acknowledges the crowd and extends thanks for a second call back and another standing ovation.
For Gaye's fourth and final performance, the Plaza outside The Express Bar was packed!!! That's her gray head in top, center of photo.
Back home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Gaye tries to translate one of several French newspaper articles for her Mom.