Mia Borders

A specific description of singer/songwriter Mia Borders' music would be "adult contemporary R&B/pop." But the more applicable term, at least according to my dad, would be deck music.

Deck music is a term of my dad's creation, and it includes anything you would want to listen to at sunset or after dark while sitting on a deck overlooking the beach or, in the case of my parents' Lafayette home, a river -- really any body of water -- with a drink in hand.

Deck music doesn't overpower the breeze or crickets, and it's got a groove to get your head nodding and feet tapping, but not so much to compel you to all-out dance. Examples of deck music include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt -- and, as it turns out, Mia Borders.

Wearing a T-shirt that said "MUSIC SAVES LIVES," Borders delivered laidback R&B-tinged rock/pop to a poncho-clad Gentilly Stage audience that included a noticeable number of dedicated fans. Borders even had a pint-sized fan in the audience, prompting what may be the first shout-out to a baby I've ever seen at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell.

"Hi Noah," Borders called out. The kid looked confused as his mother pointed at Borders.

"I'm trying to give a shout-out to a child," Borders said, laughing. "Hi Noah! It's Mia."

The baby [recognized] her, and waved back.

Borders' set was similarly sweet and good-natured, as she and her band spun good vibes, including a great cover of Eric Clapton's "Crossroads," in the face of worsening rain. By the end of the set, though, the rain had stopped, the jams were flowing and everybody in the audience was doing a little grooving, deck music-style.