Between the dentist today, and a full blown cold. Here are some pics from the past weekend....getting ready for tomorrow!!

Damn it. I am sick again. I am going to blame Lisa since she has been fighting it for the past few days and well...she must have spread it through the computer. I woke up at 1:30 this morning with the chills, aches, fever and later the sweats. I didn't get back to sleep until after 3 and the alarm goes off at 5. So....I am one tired puppy today. I am at work....I do feel a bit better, but I am damn tired of being sick. I have been taking vitamins, having acupuncture done, eating better, getting more sleep and it still came back to get me. Oh well, I have my things ready for this evening and Dr. Jack Daniels is on standby.

Did I mention that Bonerama will be on David Letterman???? Yeah? Okay.

kid you not!! Monday Feb 11th. With Damian Kulash of OK Go.

OH MY FUCKING GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I may faint.

Yesterday we made it down to our area around 11:30 or so and found GREAT parking right off St. Charles. Too bad someone had snagged our spot already. No worries we were fine where we were across the street from that. Carrollton and King Arthur are always great little parades and yesterday was no exception. We all caught several strands of glass beads and that made the parades right there.

I didn't make it to Barkus like I was hoping. I realized after King Arthur rolled just how tired I was, and I needed to go get some rest because it is about to become crazier not calmer so I need the relaxation when I can get it.

I do have pictures, but when I got home last night I collapsed and the thought of organizing pictures was just too much. I will have some up later this evening.

We are just days away from the arrival of the terrible two so they better be ready to get their drink on.

There are pictures of yesterday. However I am running short on time, so they will have to be put up later tonight. I am getting ready for a day of 2-3 parades.

Yesterday's parades were a LOT of fun, being with friends it was awesome as well. We all had a GREAT time. The floats for Orpheus are fun as well. Bonerama had a SMOKING set at Rock-n-Bowl.

Now it is time to shower and get out there for this evenings parades.

Last night after work, I hauled my ass down to the Quarter and caught up with Krewe of Cork right as it started. I hung out with the band the whole time since I know Leroy, Katja, Mark Braud and Lucien. After the rain started coming down I did ditch them all. Made my way to my friends house where we all decided rain or not we were going to the parade. If they were rolling we would be there. Oshun did roll and by the end we were rolling in the beads, animals and other goodies. There was no one out really but a few of us crazies. The second parade rescheduled for Wed. Believe it or not, I did NOT go to the Maple Leaf last night. I decided with the long and crazy weekend and knowing that today was going to be longer, that I needed some rest. So I slept. I did forget my camera at home, so there are no pictures from yesterday. I am going to take my camera today I promise!!

Put on the brakes to Mardi Gras for just a second. If you recall in a previous post (to lazy to go and find it) I say that Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest are my favorite holidays, with Jazz Fest coming in just slightly ahead. Guess what was announced today? That is right. The line up for Jazz Fest. Now we knew a few of the headliners since they were announced awhile ago...but people, Stevie Wonder is gonna be here. Billy Joel. Bonerama. Porter Batiste Stoltz. Oh wait....those last two bands are from here, but I am still happy for my boys. As well as for Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show and 101 Runners. Anyone want to get me a brass pass during the next WWOZ fundraiser happening later this spring??? I really really need to purchase my tickets in advance this time, they are going to be $50 a the gate, compared to $40 in advance. Yeah. Need to jump on that. See the following for the day to day acts....

Friday, April 25
Buckwheat Zydeco, Sheryl Crow, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Burning Spear, Ozomatli with Chali 2na, Lizz Wright, Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Terence Simien & Zydeco Experience, Leo Nocentelli's "Rare Gathering" feat. Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish & Will Calhoun, Doyle Bramhall with C.C. Adcock & the Louisiana Marquis, Ellis Marsalis, Paul Porter of the Legendary Christianaires, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Barbara Lynn, Theresa Andersson Group, Banu Gibson & New Orleans Hot Jazz, The Iguanas, The New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Twangorama, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Zydepunks, Vivaz!, Shamarr Allen, Zion Trinity, Otra, Kim Carson, Moov of Martinique, Kustbandet of Sweden, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Leah Chase, Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective, Rosalie "Lady Tambourine" Washington, Jesse McBride, Bonsoir Catin, J. Monque'D Blues Band, Bamboula 2000, Paky Saavedra's Bandido, Jamil Sharif's New Orleans Jazz Professors, Voices of Distinction, Pastor Sean T. Elder & the Mt. Hermon BC Mass Choir, Creole Wild West and Semolian Warriors Mardi Gras Indians, Joe Hall, Rufus "Rip" Wimberly & the Dreamers, Brice Kapel of the Togo, Amina Figarova Group of The Netherlands, Jonno & Bayou Deville, Andrew Hall's Society Brass Band, Real Untouchables Brass Band, June Gardner, Val & Love Alive Fellowship Choir with the Dimensions of Faith, Teatro Alpargata of Argentina, Family Ties and Big Nine SAPCs, Hazel & the Delta Ramblers, Smitty Dee's Brass Band, McDonogh #35 Gospel Choir, Gregg Martinez, Keep N it Real and Single Ladies SAPCs...
Saturday, April 26
Dr. John, Billy Joel, Keyshia Cole, O.A.R., The Count Basie Orchestra feat. Patti Austin, Cowboy Mouth, Cupid, James Cotton, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Trinitee 5:7, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & the Roadmasters, Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, The Imagination Movers, Ponderossa Stomp Revue feat. Tammy Lynn, Archie Bell, Roy Head, and Dennis Binder, Big Jay McNeely, Warren Storm w/ Willie Tee & the Cypress Band, NewBirth Brass Band, Astral Project, Davell Crawford Singers, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, DJ Bomshell, Eddie Bo, Benjy Davis Project, Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show, Tricia "Teedy" Boutte & Ytre Suløens Jass-Ensemble of Norway, Mahogany Brass Band, Germaine Bazzle, Bobby Lounge, Tribute to George Lewis feat. Dr. Michael White and Tommy Sancton, Tribute to Wilson "Willie Tee" and Earl Turbinton, Big Chief Peppy & the Golden Arrows, Sonny Bourg, Big Blue Marble, PJ Morton Band, Hadley Castille, Jeremy & the Zydeco Hot Boyz, Po' Henry & Tookie, Rockie Charles & the Stax of Love, Carol Fran, 101 Runners, The Original Last Straws, Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Berklee College of Music Jazz Ensemble, Nine Times and Single Men SAPCs, The Electrifying Crown Seekers, Golden Comanche and Chief Iron Horse & the Black Seminole Mardi Gras Indians, Xavier Jazz Ensemble, Connie Jones' Crescent City Jazz Band, Kayla Woodson with Louisiana Lightning, NORD Crescent City Lights Youth Theater, First Emmanuel BC Choir, The Worship Squad, Unstoppable Gospel Creators, NOCCA Jazz Ensemble, The RRAAMS Drum and Dance, Lady Jetsetters, Dumaine Gang and Divine Ladies SAPCs, Red White & Blue Mardi Gras Indians...
Sunday, April 27
Irma Thomas, Tim McGraw, Al Green, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Cassandra Wilson, Delbert McClinton, Del McCoury, Pete Fountain, Byron Cage with Kim Burrell, Voices of the Wetlands Allstars, Jeremy Davenport, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, Hot 8 Brass Band, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Roy Young, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Nicholas Payton, Davell Crawford's New Orleans R & B Orchestra, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone's Harmonica Revue, The Throw Back Jamm feat. Joe Blakk, UNLV, MC T. Tucker, Dolemite, BustDown, and Cheeky Blakk, Rob Wagner and Hamid Drake, New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, Tim Laughlin, Jo "Cool" Davis, Mamadou Diabate of Mali, Little Freddie King, Jambalaya, Leroy Jones, Willis Prudhomme & Zydeco Express, Wilberforce University Choir, Kenny Bill Stinson, Paulette Wright, Golden Star Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Egg Yolk Jubilee, Midnite Disturbers, David Egan, Lars Edegran's New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Furious Five, Untouchables and Big Steppers SAPCs, UNO Jazz Ensemble, Shades of Praise, Michael Ward, Paulin Brothers Brass Band, Lionel Ferbos & the Palm Court Jazz Band, Carrollton Hunters and Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians, Gregg Stafford's Jazz Hounds, Nineveh BC Choir, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, AsheSon, VisionQuest Chorale feat. Maurette Brown Clark, N'Fungola Sibo West African Dance Company, Percussion Inc., Patrice Fisher & Arpa feat. Angel Rios of Honduras, Craig Adams & Higher Dimensions of Praise, Olympia Aid, New Look and The First Division SAPCs, Kilts of Many Colours, Percussion Inc., Ninth Ward Navajo and Cherokee Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Colleen Salley...
Thursday, May 1
Randy Newman, Widespread Panic, Tower of Power, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Bettye LaVette, Gene "Duke of Earl" Chandler, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ruby Wilson, Luther Kent & Trickbag, Porter, Batiste, & Stoltz, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, The Lee Boys, Fredy Omar con su Banda, Maurice Brown, Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, Creole Zydeco Farmers, Walter Payton & File Gumbo, Music Makers' Relief Foundation's Blues Review featuring Boo Hanks, Macavine Hayes and Eddie Kirkland, Hot Club of New Orleans, Topsy Chapman's Tribute to Dinah Washington, John Ellis feat. Jason Marsalis, New Orleans Rhythm Conspiracy, Philip Manuel's tribute to Nat King Cole, Dukes of Dixieland, Dillard University Jazz Ensemble, Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes, Panorama Jazz Band, Mighty Chariots of Fire, Kerry Grombacher, Codac, Dizzy, Betsy McGovern & the Poor Clares, John Lee & the Heralds of Christ, Mark Braud, Joe Torregano, God's House Westbank Cathedral Choir, Billy Iuso & the Restless Natives, The Melody Clouds, TBC Brass Band, Tony Bazley, Heritage School of Music, Small Souljas Brass Band, The Golden Wings, Red Hawk and Geronimo Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Culu Children's Traditional African Dance Company, Charles Jackson & the Jackson Travelers, Bon Temp Roulez and VIP Ladies SAPCs, Olayella Daste, David & Roselyn, Second Mt. Carmel Gospel Choir, Basin Street Sheiks...
Friday, May 2
Art Neville, Stevie Wonder, John Prine, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Richard Thompson, The John Butler Trio, John Hammond, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Marva Wright & the BMWs, Terence Blanchard & the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Papa Grows Funk, Sunpie's Tribute to Clifton Chenier, Zigaboo Modeliste, The Jackson Southernaires, The Lee Boys, Bonerama, The Bad Plus, John Boutte, Soul Rebels, Ingrid Lucia, Coco Robicheaux & Spiritland, Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet, Chubby Carrier, Bluerunners, Wanda Rouzan, Driskill Mountain Boys, Ann Savoy's Sleepless Knights, New Orleans Jazz Vipers feat. Sophie Lee, Stoney B & Grampa Elliot, Gina Forsyth & the Malvinas, Clive Wilson & the New Orleans Serenaders feat. Butch Thompson, New Wave Brass Band, Tuba Woodshed feat. Matt Perrine and Kirk Joseph, Belton Richard & the Musical Aces, Eve's Lucky Planet, Larry Garner with Henry Gray, Ritmo Caribeno, New Orleans Jazz Ramblers, Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble, Betty Winn & One A-Chord, Lyle Henderson & Emmanuel, Kid Simmons' Local International Allstars, Pinettes Brass Band, D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces, Legacy - the students of Alvin Batiste, Greater Antioch Gospel Choir, New Orleans Mardi Gras Rhythm Indian Section, Ebenezer BC Radio Choir, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Casa Samba, The Smooth Family, Eulenspeigel Puppets of Iowa, Original Big Seven and Original Four SAPCs, McMain High School Gospel Choir, Fi Yi Yi & the Mandingo Warriors, New Orleans School of Circus Arts and ISL, Gospel Inspirations of Boutte, Rosedean Choir of South Africa, Scene Boosters and Old N Nu Fellas SAPCs...
Saturday, May 3
Marcia Ball, Jimmy Buffett, Diana Krall, Steel Pulse, The Roots, Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr. & the Greater St. Stephens Mass Choir, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Henry Butler, Aaron Neville's Gospel Soul, John Mooney & Bluesiana, the subdudes, Rockin' Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Ruthie Foster, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Savoy Center of Eunice Saturday Cajun Jam, Charmaine Neville, The Dixie Cups, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas, James Andrews, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, Lillian Boutte, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Stephanie Jordan, War Chief Juan & Young Fire, Pine Leaf Boys, Bionik Brown, Treme Brass Band, New Orleans Blues Serenaders, Spencer Bohren, Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars, Lil' Buck Sinegal feat. Rudy Richard, Feufollet, Pinstripe Brass Band, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Tribute to Max Roach feat. Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis, and Shannon Powell, Tondrae, Chappy, Danza feat. Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott, Beyond Measure, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, Rumba Buena, Rocks of Harmony, Guitar Lightnin' Lee, St. Joseph the Worker Mass Choir, Big Chief Ke Ke & Comanche Hunters and White Cloud Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Leviticus Gospel Singers, Tulane University Jazz Ensemble, Secondline Jammers, New Generation and Undefeated Divas SAPCs, Trouble Nation and Mohawk Hunters Mardi Gras Hunters, Archdiocese of New Orleans Community Choir, Bester Singers, Donald Lewis, Young Guardians of the Flame, Stephen Foster's Mid City Workshop Alumni Ensemble, Westbank Steppers, Valley of the Silent Men and Pigeon Town Steppers SAPCs, Golden Blade and Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians...
Sunday, May 4
The Neville Brothers, Santana, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, The Raconteurs, Dianne Reeves, Galactic, The Radiators, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, The Derek Trucks Band, Keb' Mo', Rebirth Brass Band, Sonny Landreth, Snooks Eaglin, John P. Kee & the New Life Community Choir, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Tribute to Mahalia Jackson feat. Irma Thomas, Marva Wright and Rachelle Richard, Vernel Bagneris: Jelly Roll & Me, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, Ivan Neville & Dumpstaphunk, DJ Captain Charles, Kenny Neal, Sherman Washington & the Zion Harmonizers, Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Elysian Fieldz, The New Orleans Bingo Show!, Benny Grunch & the Bunch, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Jonathan Batiste, Rotary Downs, George French, Chris Ardoin & Nu Step, Guitar Slim Jr., Grupo Fantasma, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Ovi-G & the Froggies, The Revealers, Pfister Sisters, Salvador Santana Band, William Smith's Tribute to Kid Sheik, Eddie Boh Paris aka Chops, SUBR Jazz Ensemble, Chris Clifton, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Ensemble, New Orleans Spiritualettes, Zulu Male Ensemble, The Jazz Jam, Tribute to Tuba Fats, Highsteppers Brass Band, Black Eagles, Hardhead Hunters and Apache Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Lady Rollers and CTC Steppers SAPCs, Guyland Leday with Family & Friends Zydeco Band, Young Traditional New Orleans Brass Band, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, Wild Apaches, Young Magnolias and Black Feathers Mardi Gras Indians, Original Prince of Wales and the Original New Orleans Lady Buckjumpers SAPCs, Tornado Brass Band, Judy Stock, Minister Jai Reed...

have never in my four years of Mardi Gras seen a ruder more obnoxious group of people than I did last night for KDV. I don't know if was because they changed routes or what. We were close to the start, at Royal and Frenchmen where they had barriers set up. They use barriers for a reason. We had gotten there about an hour and half before the parade, and there was like 7 of us. We had our drinks and snacks and just had a great time. The parades starts coming down the street and next thing I know there are 3 girls standing right in front of us, on the other side of the barrier. And the cop that is in that area isn't doing anything. Not long after it was probably 3 people deep in front of the barrier, on both sides of the street. The parade could barely get through. Ms. Grace was verbally assaulted when she asked a drunk guy to move, and he jumped the barrier and attempted to start a fight with one of our friends. We couldn't even SEE the parade. The people we asked to move started throwing things at us, because we were obviously the problem. The good thing is that the parade came down Frenchmen at the end. We were taking some of the people in our group down to Mona's to get food before the Tin Men played at d.b.a when the parade came back down, there were less people on the street and no barriers so we were able to actually see it. However by the time it came back to us it was seriously depleted. Some of the floats were gone. At least 2 of the bands were gone, a lot of the people in the walking portion were gone. All I know is karma is going to come and get those people that ruined KDV for everyone that attempted to follow the rules.

My first Mardi Gras experience down here in NOLA happened in 2003. We had the best time, really didn't catch that many parades, we were out seeing music and went to the Orpheus Ball. Both Craig and Leroy told some of us (there were about 30-40 of us here in a group) to come out the St. Anne parade. That it was a lot of fun and we really needed to check it out. So early on Mardi Gras day several of us packed into a cab and headed on out to Bud Rip's for the start of the parade. Little did we know at the time about "NOLA time" all I know is we got there rather early and did a lot of standing around waiting for Leroy and Craig to put in an appearance. As more and more people arrived I began to feel seriously under dressed. I was wearing jeans, a tshirt and fleece jacket. Every single person but my group were completly dressed up in costumes. When we saw Craig and Leroy everyone busted out laughing at their attempts in drag.

Since becoming a resident, I have spent every Fat Tuesday with the St. Anne parade. It has a crazy amount of people all dressed up, drinking and dancing down the street to the sounds of the Storyville Stompers (plus many many other musicians) We always leave from Bud Rips, go through the Marigny, end up in the Quarter and meet up with Rex at Canal. From there it is to the Moonwalk. That is where the structered parade ends. We usually end up on Frenchmen street. Or asleep in a car. I don't think there is any other wayI would want to spend a Mardi Gras day.

I am getting into a desperation point on my costume for this year, I do believe I will end up doing what I have done the past two years in a row and that is to raid my friend Twinkle Toes Mardi Gras Costume Closet and find something fantastic to wear. I do know that Leroy is on the quest for something outrageous and he doesn't want to do drag again. I think they may end up raiding the closet as well. The following pics are some of my favs from Mardi Gras Day.

I ate two pieces of king cake yesterday. TWO! From two different places, brought in by two different vendors, two different flavors. One was a bavarian cream filled one, the other was plain. It did have a heavier frosting however. I am completly lame and failed to notice the bakery for either one.

I am looking forward to having more later this weekend as I wait for the KDV to roll. I love this Krewe. We always get a spot on Frenchmen and enjoy the, well I guess the sites. I love the satire this parade has.

Later on today, around 11 Orpheus will finally be having a press conference and annoucing their Celeb monarch and the what not. Hopefully they can top Kevin Costner. I know they can top Hulk Hogan. Actually no, I don't know that. My prediction is it will be someone like the head coach of LSU.

Since there are a fair amount of people reading this blog that may or may not know what this fixation I have with a certain band called Bonerama is, I thought I would regal you all with a tale of where it all began.

It all began with a certain musician named Harry Connick Jr. I had really enjoyed his music ever since college. I picked up a few of his cds and would have them on constant rotation. In July 1999 I saw Harry and his big band perform out in Seattle. I realized after finally seeing him live, that I appreciated his music more. Not just his music but the members of his big band. I ended up buying all of the CDs that he had out at that time and was now more than ever listening to his music.

In August 2001 I joined an online community of Harry Connick Jr fans. There I "met" people who also appreciated the music that was coming out of Harry Connick Jr and his band. I actually became really good friends with several people on that board. One in particular. We used to talk on the phone ALL the time. She often talked about a couple of Harry's big band members and this band that they were in and how I should check them out. I finally ordered their CD from Louisiana Music Factory to see what all this fuss was about. Of course the members were Mark Mullins and Craig Klein. The band was of course Bonerama. I can't properly relay what it was like to hear Bonerama for the very first time. Some of the most amazing music I had ever heard was pouring forth from my CD player. I couldn't believe the sounds that the trombones were producing. The CD that I had purchased was of course "Live at Old Point" the first and only CD that they had recorded at that time. Some of the other people on that board also started to listen to the band as well and loved them as much as I did. And still do.

November 2002 rolls around and I am planning a trip to see Harry Connick Jr in concert in DC. It just so happens that Bonerama has a gig booked in NYC, so several of us decide to meet up, face to face for the first time. That trip will live on in my mind forever. Not only was I meeting some of my really good friends in person for the first time, but I was going to get to see Harry Connick Jr and for the first time I was going to see Bonerama. To this day, I remember when the the first few notes were played at Tobacco Road, the stupid giddy feeling I had. I had a big smile the whole time. The music just infects you, and you have to dance. That entire weekend ended up with one more extra Bonerama gig at the Cutting Room, which officially sealed my fate as life long fan.

Not only was the music some of the most insanely brillant music I had ever heard, but the guys behind the music were and are some the nicest, sweetest guys I had ever met. They took time to talk with us on several occasions, would pretty much put up with our inane fandom.

Not long after I moved here in August 04, Mark asked me to help out at a show selling merchandise and the rest they say is history. I have the pleasure and honor of helping out the band when ever they are in town. I have seen them play in little clubs, to now recently playing in front of millions as they played the National Anthem. I know that all the people that have been on the fandom journey with me are just as pleased and excited at the growing amount of fans. The music continues to grow and be brilliant. The band will continue to grow by leaps and bounds and I hope that I will continue to help out.

Thank you for delurking and say hi!! I knew some people were reading but didn't know who. So stick around and I hope you enjoy. :)

So far the weekend has been busy. Friday night of course was the big Bonerama/OK Go show. I was surprised to hear that OK Go was starting the show out. I thought it was going to be the other way around, but it made me damn happy regardless. There was a really nice crowd and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Mark and Craig came out for the last song of OK Go and played with them. Then the Bones took the stage and totally rocked it out. At one point Damian of OK Go was totally rocking out to Bonerama off to the side of the stage. He looked like a happy little boy. He took the stage and did a few songs with them. He also wouldn't let Bonerama finish until they played War Pigs. By then him and few other members were out in the middle of the audience having fun. It was a pretty sweet night.

Yesterday I hung out having a relaxing day. We headed down the street to see Paul Sanchez play at Carrollton Station. It was a killer set from him. He started right after 10 and played for four hours STRAIGHT. He played a ton of his older stuff and he told a lot of stories that I hadn't heard before or longer versions. He had me cracking up. I have noticed that as he has been doing more of these solo shows that his singing voice has improved so much and he is so much more happy and enjoying life so much more. It has been really nice.

After he was done I headed on down to the Maple Leaf and caught the last 45 mins or so of Johnny Sketch. The place was packed and dancing their asses off. It was quite a different atmosphere than I had just been in. Apparently Drew Barrymore and Justin Long were there last night. Either they left before I got there or I just didn't see them. It is quite possible that I just didn't see them.

Later on this afternoon I am going down to the Quarter to see Leroy Jones play and then some more of Paul Sanchez. It is a good thing that I love this town. So far this weekend I have clocked in about 8-1/2 hours of live music and I am ready for some more!

I would say this story takes place about 7 or 8 months after I moved here. I was hanging out a lot with my friends Adam and Carrie, and we would often wind up at this bar in the Quarter. Yes I said the Quarter, leave me alone I had just moved here and hadn't really discovered the good places yet. One night Carrie, Adam and I were hanging out at the bar waiting for one of our friends to get off work, as he worked at the bar we hung out at. We were all going to walk down the street to see this band that Carrie was raving about OK Go at One Eyed Jacks. It was taking a little bit longer for our friend to get off work, and we all may have had a bit more than usual to drink. Finally, after some of us got a refill on the big ass beer that he was drinking we all started to wander down the street. Coming towards us was probably 5 or 6 frat guys. Possibly football players, real big. The sidewalks down here are not that wide, especially in the Quarter. So here are the 4 of us (2 girls/2 guys) and then these massive ass guys. That aren't being polite and slightly stepping out of the way to let the ladies pass. Carrie and I get pushed out either on to the street or up against the building to let them pass, I believe our bartender friend did the same. Adam however really doesn't care and walks right through the middle of them, and as he does he says "What's up assholes?" Now if you know Adam, and some of you do, you know that Adam is ALL talk, that he would never hurt a fly and is one of the sweetest people around. He was trying to be funny, unfortunately it didn't turn out so well this time. One of the guys immediately hit Adam and he went flying where he landed in the street. The other guys held back their friend as he was going after Adam some more. Adam was bleeding and I think one of guys may have had to hold me back because I wasn't going to take something like that happening to a friend quietly. It was mentioned that the guy that had hit Adam had been drinking and using all day and it was probably best if they just went on their way before he got more violent. Adam being Adam, was like "hey man! I was just joking, don't want any problems" The guys disappeared into the Bourbon Street crowd and we proceeded to clean up Adam who was bleeding a bit and covered in beer and calm Carrie down who was really upset. Adam says he still wants to go down to see OK Go so we made our way to One Eyed Jacks where we saw about two and a half songs plus the encore. Which I believe was "Cinnamon Lips" accompanied by a dance a la the tread mill one. We all had a great time, even Adam who was feeling some pain. We chatted with the guys in the band a bit after then we headed on our way.

Turns out that Adam and Carrie went back to the Quarter that night to try to find the guys to point them out to the cops. In the end it really would have been best if we had gotten the cops involved right then as Adam has pretty much been out of work since then. He was in a lot of pain down here, they found out recently that he had 5 broken ribs from that night. The hospital down here had said that they were just bruised or something like that. However he has been dealing with some medical issues when they discovered that the ribs had been broken.

For a brief time that night OK Go did give us some joy however and I have been quietly following them since. So I am pretty damn ecstatic about seeing them this Friday with Bonerama. Hopefully there will be no fights before the gig.

Let me start by saying that, well I am beat. I know a lot of people here who are worn out from the constant flow of fun. I think I counted how many parades I went to. I lost count after ten. Some people may ask what are you doing going to so many parades? What are you going to do with all those beads, cups and stuffed animals and other trinkets? I have no IDEA!! They are all piled up around the house. My niece Aubrey will get a nice little package, other than that I am not sure. Of course there are a few special ones that I will be keeping, the rest could be up for grabs.
However it just isn't about the parades, it is about spending time with friends. Eating lots of food, drinking a lot, laughing and dancing. I got to hang out with some of my good friends on an almost daily basis for 2 weeks, I got to meet some really cool new people as well.
I am totally and officially Mardi Gras'd out. I was actually quite happy to see Fat Tuesday come to a close so I could finally rest my weary body. Which I will be doing on Saturday. All day. With the phone off. Maybe this 3 month illness will finally go away.

Only 3 more days until Bonerama is on Letterman!! Oh to have a way to get to NYC......anyone have miles? I will sleep on the street. ;)

As recovery is still in motion down here in NOLA, the benefits will keep on happening. This Thursday is the 3rd benefit for "Musicians bringing Musicians Home" the first two were hits and the musicians that have participated has been amazing. The second one included the Indigo Girls and some of the members from OK GO! Here is a little info on the upcoming concert on Thursday taken from the Bonerama website:

On Thursday, January 10th, Craig, Matt, Eric and Bert will join members of bands that include My Morning Jacket, The Mekons, The Wrens, Mendoza Line and Freakwater for "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home III", a benefit for musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. That show will take place in the Parish Room of NOLA's House of Blues at 9pm and is sponsored by Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Future of Music Coalition (FMC). Participants in FMC and ATC's annual Artist Activism Camp discuss best practices for artist advocacy, during the two-day meeting, and tour New Orleans, visiting the Ninth Ward and hearing from some of the city's musicians about the efforts to revitalize their music community

Bonerama has been very active in these benefits, mainly due to the organization Craig used to be a part of called Arabi Wrecking Krewe. Some of you may remember that I also used to participate in that organization, were we went to musicians homes and gutted them. Things got a little out of control there unfortuntelty and due some poor leadership (not Craig) the group has pretty much disappeared. However, there are so many other groups out there doing good and Sweet Home New Orleans is one of them.

Speaking of Sweet Home New Orleans, this has me tingling:

On Friday, January11th, OK Go and Bonerama play a show to aid New Orleans music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (who gave Mardi Gras its unofficial anthem and lost everything when Katrina destroyed his residence), and Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's cultural ambassadors. That show will take place at Tipitina's at 10:00pm. OK Go and Bonerama have also collaborated on "You're Not Alone", an EP for the same cause, to be released on February 5th - Mardi Gras 2008.

People! This is exciting. Ya'll know OK GO right?? You have seen the infamous treadmill video right? If not I will post it later in the day. I am so excited to hear more of OK Go and the Bones together I almost can't stand it. I will be there selling Merch for the Bones, so if you are in the area, come say HI!

It is HERE!! I just ate my first piece of King Cake. However Rouses needs to hid the damn baby!! It was just hanging out in the middle, so not the point. I do realize that there is that choking factor that needs to be considered but most people down here do know about the baby!

Last night just a little after midnight busted out with "Mardi Gras Mambo" and a few other Mardi Gras tunes. Those that know me, know that I will now be singing "Mardi Gras Mambo" for the next month or so. I can't ever get that song out of my head!!

Tonight there is a small parade, however I don't believe I will be going this year. We have some friends down the street who are having a party, then they have a gig at the Maple Leaf so we will be partaking in that for a bit!!

Happy Mardi Gras Ya'll!!

We are just days away from my favorite season, Mardi Gras. Actually, it may be my second Festival season just maybe my first (French Quarter Fest/Jazz Fest). Mardi Gras is a very close second. On Sunday I will be able to enjoy my first piece of King Cake. In fact I think I will have to make a trip to the store on Saturday so the first thing I have when I wake up on Sunday is a piece of King Cake. At some point this weekend the Christmas tree will come down. If I had Mardi Gras decorations I would put them up. They will come into the house sooner rather than later in the form of beads, cups, doubloons, stuffed animals and other wild and crazy assorted throws that we will be catching.

I can't express to those of you that Mardi Gras just isn't that drunken insanity that happens on Bourbon Street. It is a time to hang out with your friends, dance in the streets to the beats, have some food. Yell and cheer "Ya know ya saaaasssssssy!!" as the marching bands go by. Time to pull out the ladders so the kids get the best spots. To catch that "must have" item a shoe from Muses or a coconut from Zulu. Getting into a wild costume and literally dance down the street and across town. All while consuming some King Cake.

Yeah I love this town.

It has been a nice start to the new year so far. I don't even know where to start. I actually had New Years Eve off so I enjoyed that day fully. Reading a bit, watching some TV, a little gardening, a trip to the grocery store, a visit with some friends. It was a rather full day. I wasn't really sure if I was going to make it to midnight however, but I did. And beyond. Of course the New Year was rung in at the place where everyone knows my name...the Maple Leaf. It wasn't a crazy big crowd, and overall the evening was quite mellow. I drank WAY more than normal and apparently was amusing to quite a few people.

Yesterday consisted of sleeping, and preparing some veggie chili for the evenings festivities. We had a few friends over to watch the Sugar Bowl. In reality it was for us to just watch the National Anthem, performed by my Boys. They did so well and I am so proud of them.