RESERVE — Riding bikes to Maurin’s Theatre with friends for Friday and Saturday night movies was a staple for Jay Bourgeois, who grew up on Central Avenue in Reserve before moving to Houston in 2001.

This weekend, Bourgeois is returning to Reserve to perform at the same location. He’s a member of the five-piece Eagles tribute band “Already Gone,” slated to rock St. John Theatre from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday with 1970s hits and a few original selections.

Before he played bass and managed bookings for “Already Gone,” Bourgeois was a student at St. Charles Catholic High School. He remembers when Maurin’s Theatre was reopened as St. John Theatre with a new focus on performing arts.

Bourgeois was in his high school’s 1984 production of “Grease,” the second show performed at St. John Theatre. He said he was “the kid in the back who couldn’t dance,” joking that it’s not too different from the role he plays in the band today.

“I’ve played music my entire life,” Bourgeois said. “I played in a band called Take 5 back in the 90s in LaPlace and Reserve. We played at the Daiquiri Shop and all the other places the kids used to hang out. This is my first time coming back to play music in Louisiana since that time. What better place to play than my home town?”

According to Bourgeois, tribute bands deliver an unforgettable experience for audiences still hungry for the music of the 1960s and 70s. He said they are wildly popular in the Houston and greater South Texas area.

“If you look at national tours, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, the Who, Queen, all the bands from the 60s and 70s are still hugely popular today, and people go see them,” Bourgeois said. “They sell out their crowds. If a tribute band comes along and can pull off those positions really well, then people will go see them too. Otherwise, you have to wait three years to go see the Eagles when they come around again.”

The band, which also stars Danny Lee, Johnny Ono, Harry O. and Clint Springer, started as a Beatles tribute band. However, the group ran into problems when trying to book events.

“People didn’t want to book the Beatles tribute band for 3-hour events. They wanted another band to perform with it,” he said.

To avoid splitting the gig money with other groups, the guys formed a second band, this time as an Eagles tribute. Over the years, the Eagles tribute band grew in popularity.

In addition to playing tributes, the band members of “Already Gone” perform original music. The band released its debut album, “The Open Road,” in reflection of the virtues of a small town past. A second album is in the works, according to Bourgeois.

“In every show, we slip in two or three original songs, and everyone seems to like them a lot,” Bourgeois said. “It’s been a good formula for us.”

He said “Already Gone” is a close-knit group, known for witty banter on stage and an interactive experience between the stage and the audience.

For more information about Saturday’s show or to purchase tickets, visit stjohntheatre.com or call 985-536-6630.