By Amy Moore
The News staff writer
In the same venue where he said his last good-byes to bandmate Chad “Pimp C” Butler, Bernard “Bun B” Freeman will present a concert Saturday to entertain his hometown of Port Arthur.
A production of Trill Clothing and 2 Trill Entertainment, Freeman said the concert will “feel funny initially” though this is certainly not his first time to perform since his music partner’s death.
Butler, half of the popular hip-hop duo UGK, died last December and a public memorial was held at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center — where the concert will be held Saturday. The service was attended by hundreds of fans and dozens of stars from the hip-hop community.
Freeman said that although he will play mostly fan favorites, the concert will not be a tribute to his friend and colleague.
“People always want everything to be a tribute,” he said. “Every day is a tribute. The way you carry yourself is a tribute. People throw around ‘tribute’ around too much.”
Freeman said he takes the lessons he learned from Butler and uses them as a way to honor his friend.
“Everyone knows that anytime Bun B does a concert, it’s a tribute to Pimp C,” he said.
Though not technically touring, Freeman has been traveling and performing many shows for the past few months. His days are spent working on new material and staying focused, he said.
Before heading into Port Arthur, Freeman is working on a music video in Houston.
He said he looks forward to performing at home, but it’s always difficult because so many people want to take advantage of friendships.
“No one wants to pay for tickets,” he said with a laugh. “We’ve already given out all our free tickets and people are still calling asking for them.”
Along with Freeman, the concert will feature the sounds of some up and coming local artists.
Organizer Vincent Shelvin said many of the musicians performing Saturday call Port Arthur home.
Da’ Havknots are a group that Port Arthur native and Golden State Warrior player Stephen Jackson put together and before his death Butler helped produce the Da’ Undadawgs, who will also perform Saturday.
Also scheduled to appear is Rack Daddy featuring performances by Medicine Man, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Z-Ro, Trae and Lil Keke.
Tickets are $25 at the door, $20 in advance, and $15 with a student ID. Tickets can be purchased at Trill Fashions, 3200 Gulfway Drive until 1 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. and performances begin at 8 p.m. For more information, call 983-1888.
