Saints Ready to REPEAT

The "WHO DAT!" Nation is ready to welcome the Saints back into the playoffs this year as they start the defense of their Super Bowl Champion title. I've already booked my tickets to NOLA for Super Bowl weekend and hope to see the Frenchmen Street Krewe there at another VIP party at Vaughan's!

We're Finally Approaching Bill & Pat's Mojo Level...

While the main man in the pic is certainly Bert Cotton, guitarist in Bonerama, Peter and I can be seen in the background of the photo hanging in the VIP area of the pit in front of the stage. Typically, only Bill and Pat score this level of anonymous celebrity. ;-)

This photo is from French Quarter Fest 2010 and is posted on Bonerama's website at www.boneramamusic.com.

Ready for the Saints playoff run...

Ladies and gentlemen, get your black and gold ready. The Saints are going all the way this year. Just ordered my jersey and am ready for Dolphin Stadium in early February.

Despite the recent loss to the dreaded Cowboys, I still believe.

My Louisiana Music...

Just subscribed to OffBEAT Magazine (which I love) but am perplexed by the conspicuous absence of Leroy Jones on the CD that was included with this month's magazine. Th back of the CD jacket reads, ""My Louisiana Music" was created in an effort to share the soul-stirring sounds of Louisiana with the world. These are performers you can see on any given day in clubs and at festivals all across the state. Many of them are Grammy winners -- all have won our hearts." Signed, Mitch Landrieu, Lt. Governor

Hmm. Wouldn't you think Leroy Jones would be one of the most obvious choices to include on a CD intended to "share the soul-stirring sounds of Louisiana with the world?

Artists on the CD include:
Kenny Bill Stinson, Henry Butler, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, Bonerama, Racines, Kenny Neal, Irma Thomas, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Don Rich, Amanda Shaw, Shamarr Allen featuring Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Irvin Mayfield & Ellis Marsalis, Mahogany Brass Band with Gospel Dedicators, Paul Sanchez, James "12" Andrews & Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, John Boutte

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

A Year-end Promise

I have been so bad about keeping this blog up-to-date. Hoping to turn over a new leave and get everybody else to contribute regularly as well!

In complete random order, here's what I am thinking about today:

Saints suck --- once again this is a team that underperforms against all our high -- and maybe unreasonable expectations. But I really believe they should be performing at playoff level. Arguably the best quarterback in the league in Drew Brees, one of the best breakaway players in the game in Reggie Bush, a solid if not spectacular group of running backs, decent offensive line and what should be at least an average defense. Yet, here they are out of the playoffs again. WTF! Lat night against the Bears was the worst. No offense in the 1st half. Spectacular third period and choking in the 4th only to lose in OT.

On the other hand, the Hornets rule. Hitting their stride now.

Abita Amber -- for some reason my liquor store stocks every Abita brand but Amber. Another WTF? Got to speak to management!

New Year's Eve -- should be a blast. Kevin, Corina and kids & Noam, Elise and Max will be joining us in New Orleans for a fun-filled week. Bonerama, Kermit, Soul Rebels and John Boutte in town -- so should be a lot of fun.

Bin 504 -- Kevin and I picked the next batch in October in Paso Robles, CA. So Vintage 2008 is in the barrel and ready for release in spring 2011. Kevin and I have been having samplings over the last few months, and getting a lot of positive feedback. We think! Or else everybody's just being kind!

2009 Festivals -- hoping everybody will be coming to New Orleans multiple times in 2009. Between Mardi Gras, French QuarterFest, Dorothy and John's wedding, JazzFest, Satchmofest, Voodoofest and the usual every week festivities, start marking your calendars today! And remember, plan ahead so you can start your weekend at Vaughan's on Thursday night.

Missin' NOLA today...

I'm in "post-election party mood" and figured if I can't be there today, I'd post a few old photos and reminisce...

A NOLA Night in NYC - August 23

This past weekend, Lincoln Center hosted an outdoor concert for the 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival. Saturday's event was called "The Heart of New Orleans" and on the bill was some of New Orleans' greats ... Hot 8 Brass Band, Shamarr Allen, Marc Stone, Irma Thomas and our very dear friends, John Boutte, Leroy Jones, Todd Duke and Peter Harris!

It was a perfect night. Weather was beautiful, and the crowd was feeling the vibe. I got there about 6:30 and was met at the side of the stage by Lee. He gave me a wrist band so I could hang backstage with them and watch the show from there. When I saw John, he ran at me and just about jumped into my arms (quite the greeting, I must say!). Can't believe I haven't seen him since FQF!

John, Lee, Todd and Peter took the stage at 7pm. Lee was absolutely brilliant, Todd amazing and John, well, was sheer perfection. Even though he was a bit under the weather and felt like he was only at 70%, he really was at 200%. Incredible!! They opened with Louisiana 1927 (of course, I cried), and also did Good Neighbor, Sisters, Broke Down the Door/Treme Song, Door Poppin', Southern Man, Lipstick Traces, Skylark and then he did it ... American Tune, a cappella. Again, I cried like a baby. He had mentioned earlier that he didn't think he had the voice to do it, but he found it ... and the crowd went nuts! It was really an amazing sight to see 200+ people standing and staring in awe at the power of his voice. They closed with When The Saints Go Marching In.

I drove the boys back to their hotel after the show - everyone was exhausted ... Lee had played the Hall on Friday and was on about 3 hours sleep, Todd was spent and as I mentioned, John wasn't feeling well. But, I have to say that the car ride was one of the funniest moments I've ever spent with those guys. John was on fiyah!! Todd said he wished he had a tape recorder so he could capture all of the John-isms that were flying out of his mouth. We laughed so hard and so much in such a short period of time. It was just silly and great and I wished that moment could've gone on forever...

It was such a fun and wonderful night, and it made me realize even more how much I love NOLA, love my friends and how much I am missing them both.