Sweet Home New Orleans

Just got back from a three day artist activism retreat in New Orleans. It was one of the most eye opening and inspiring times of my life. I can't believe that it has been so long since Hurricane Katrina and there is still so much destruction down there. So many lives and homes ruined and so many people still displaced. We met with alot of truly amazing musicians down there. People whose stories will stay with me forever. They have seen their communities, homes and careers ripped apart and still they have so much spirit. They aren't people who just sit on their hands complaining about the cards that life dealt and complaining about how their government has failed them. They make the best of it and put their hearts and souls into perserving their traditions and helping eachother get back on their feet and back to their homes. There is a great organization called Sweet Home New Orleans that raises money to try to help displaced musicians, Mardi Gras Indians and Social and Pleasure Club members. The traditions of music in New Orleans shaped alot of the sounds that make up American music and it breaks my heart to see people who have done so much for us as a culture have to go through such hardship. You can visit their site at www.sweethomeneworleans.org and find out ways you can help out.
At the end of the retreat we did a benefit show at Tipitina's and played with New Orleans own Bonerama backing everyone up. Sickest band I've ever played with! Four trombones! It was such an magic night, show, everything. A handful of strangers brought together to see this mess close up and help us to figure out how we can help this and even things in our own communities. I saw alot of parallels to Asbury Park down there and I walked away from this knowing that it is possible for us musicians to be able to help our towns and others that really need it in the right way.
More stories and pictures from this trip on the way........