By JORDAN MARSHALL

Staff Writer

Bruce Flett, bass guitarist and vocalist for The Bluebirds, did not know he would meet his wife in the bathroom while playing at the old Sundown West, now Sundown Tavern, in Ruston.

Twenty-six years later Flett and fellow band members Buddy Flett, on guitar and vocals, and Kerry Hunter, the original drummer also on vocals, will return to Sundown Tavern, located at 111 Park Ave., Friday at 9:30 p.m.

"Great memories at the Sundown; we play it for the fun, not for the money," Bruce Flett said.

The Bluebirds, a rhythm and blues/rocking soul trio, have been together since May 1986.

The band said it has played at many hot spots in Ruston, including Rabb's Steak House, located at 2647 S. Service Road West.

"We like playing for college audiences, especially with the growing appreciation for 'roots' music with bands like the White Stripes and the Black Keys because our music is roots/blues," Bruce Flett said.

Donald Johnson, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said he is glad Ruston is getting live acts to come to town.

"I think Ruston needs new music, because it would add character to the town," Johnson said.

"The town is old but alive when students are there, and that's what blues is. It's a mellow music that's not too much or too little."

The Bluebirds encourage students to come to the show.

"Come out and see us, enjoy the music, and it's OK if you point and laugh," Bruce Flett said.

The Bluebirds will play May 28 at Mudbug Madness in the Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport and May 29 at Riverfest in Little Rock, Ark.

The band has also released its third album "Highway 80 East."

"It's us in a nutshell," Hunter said.

The album has appeared on two national charts, including No. 12 on Roots Blues in July of 2003 and No. 21 in Living Blues in June of 2003.

The record has also aired on more than 250 radio stations in 100 countries, and many songs from the album are in XM Satellite's "Bluesville," DMX and Music Choice cable radio blues channels.