Doyle Bramhall.....New Orleans,

Me and Tab Benoit backstage at Jazz Fest

Lola, the wonder dog showin her stuff New Orleans style...
Jimmie B, guitar tech to the stars....

Me and Robert Randolf at a Doyle Show
Jason Burns and Nick Curan from Doyle's Band eating mud bugs.

Me and Buckwheat Zydaco backstage at Jazz fest
Me and Papa Moli at a Doyle show

Dr John and Doyle Bramhall at a Doyle show at Chicky Wa Wa's.
Yup that's me eating Crawdads after CC Adcock (behind me) taught me how.

How does a working musician spend his time off?? Well i choose to go to Jazz Fest and be part of the crew for my friend, drummer, singer, songwriter Doyle Bramhall. I was involved in 4 shows with them in 2 days. I acted as Doyle's drum tech and helped move the other equipment around. Doyle was doing these shows with his friend, co-produce and swamp guru, CC Adcock, guitar and vocals. Also in the band was Doyle's step son Chris Hunter on drums (yep 2 drummers), Jason Burns on upright bass and Nick Curan on guitar. Doyle's wife Barbara Logan was with us also and it was great to spend time with them both. Chris and I were roommates and it was great to get to know him. Doyle taught him to drum at age 9. He is a great drummer and a fun guy.The shows were very well attended by young and old. The first show was at Chicky Wa Wa's club on Canal. After rehearsal we snuck off to perform at a private party nearby. It was held in a backyard and was an authentic New Orleans Crawfish boil. I have never had much love for mud bugs but i do now that i know how to deal with them. I ate a shitload. The party was a blast and the folks loved the music. Then we ran back to the club for the show. Popa Mali was the opening act and he did an awesome job of warming them up. The club was packed well beyond capacity i am sure. Among the revelers was New Orleans fixture Dr John and pedal steel wizard Robert Randolf. I met a bunch of interesting people.

The next day (with not much sleep) we loaded into the Jazz Fest Blues Tent. We had 20 minutes to set up and launch. The stage managers were nervous but we had plenty of crew and pulled it off. The tent was full and they really responded to Doyle's music. Nearby on the wall of the tent there was a huge poster of Stevie Ray Vaughan. I pointed it out to Doyle and he laughed and said he"s everywhere. I dug being there and helping Doyle. It was cool to watch Barbara watch Doyle. After that performance Doyle had an interview on the othere side of the fairgrounds. Doyle and CC did an acoustic performance where Doyle playeddrums on a cardboard box. We had a nice dinner at the hotel, quick nap and off to The D.B.A. Club in the French Quarter. Load in, set up, sound check and off they go at midnight. Another packed house and another killer show. The show ended at 3:00 AM, load out and in bed at 4:30. At least i bet the sunrise. I got up and caught a plane to San Antonio to do a show with Smokin Joe. Nice vacation huh? I had a blast!