he’sbaaacckkkk.
After 18 months of flood cleanup,
John Schneider Studios is open for business.
He’s jumping the General Lee to celebrate
and guest starring in a golf tournament to
raise money for MusiCares.
John Schneider Studios was active,
bringing Hollywood to Holden, Louisiana,
and serving as the film site for movies such as
“Smothered,” “Anderson Bench” and “Like
Son.” The studio was alive and celebrating
talent, particularly that of independent film
makers who often cannot afford the price
tags at traditional studios.
And then August 2016 happened. The
rain came down and kept falling, flooding the
Tickfaw River and drowning the hard work
and effort at John Schneider Studios. Decades
of memories, props, wardrobe and plans
washed away. Even a hot tub was removed
from its foundation, never to be found.
For additional heartbreak, Schneider’s
mother, who lived on the studio grounds, died
30
one month after the storm. He remembered
that she was one of the many who didn’t
understand why it was impossible to go back
home after the flood.
Schneider spent many nights as his
neighbors did, sleeping in what was left over
of his home and trying to figure out where to
start.
“It was overwhelming,” he said. “Stuff was
everywhere, and a lot of other stuff was just
gone.”
But now, 18 months after the August 2016
thousand-year flood, the studio is ready
for business. A team of dedicated people,
including Event Producer Alicia Allain,
met, worked, and physically rebuilt the
studio. Schneider’s dream is evident in every
nail.
Allain said Bo’s Extravaganza will celebrate
the grand re-opening of the studio, giving
guests a backstage tour of this beautiful 58-
acre property that houses countless sets and
opportunities for creativity.
He has rebuilt it. They will come. And
they’re coming the first full weekend in April.
On April 7-8, John Schneider Studios will
transfer from a quiet massive collection of sets
and stages to a true extravaganza, complete
with car chases and jumps, music, dancing
and a car show.
Bo’s Extravaganza is the first event to
reopen John Schneider Studios. In celebration
of Schneider’s April 8th birthday, he will
jump the General Lee for the first time. Yes,
that is correct. He has never actually jumped
the General Lee, and he is ready to finally tell
people what it was like to do it.