Ponderosa Stomp 2013

The first weekend of October 2013 took me back to New Orleans for the 11th Ponderosa Stomp.

I have said many times that without the Stomp (and Norton Records) I wouldn't be the person I am today. Without the exposure the organizers of this festival gives these "unsung heroes of rock and roll" it would have taken me a lot longer to learn about these architects of music that spans genres, audiences and years.

I first went to the Ponderosa Stomp in 2007 and haven't missed one since. Roky Erikson, Ronnie Spector, Mary Weiss, Wanda Jackson, ? and the Mysterians, Scotty Moore, Swamp Dogg, Lazy Lester, Maggie Lewis, Barbara Lynn, Guitar Lightening Lee, and this year The Sonics, Chris Montez, Charles Brimmer, Chris Clark and The Standells, and numerous other r&b, rockabilly, swamp pop, rock and roll and soul artists have graced the stages of the Stomp. Countless other players backing up these performers making for nights of spectacular music and elbow rubbing with these unsung heroes of rock and roll.  This is truly a festival put on by people that absolutely LOVE music for people that absolutely LOVE music. It is my favorite event of the year and I am always looking forward to next years. 

So I took some pictures, met some people, got some voice drops for ARTxFM and ROCK SEXY, bought some crazy good records, listened to The Sonics tell stories, and rocked out in NOLA for a few days.

I never claimed to be a photographer but this is so pretty it kind of looks like a painting.

Halloween 2012 I went to dba on Frenchman and left my sticker on a bathroom door. One year later, it was still there, untouched.

From afar on a shitty camera phone...Billy Miller and Miriam Linna of Norton Records spin at the pre-Stomp party Hip Drop. I think this year's was the 6th.

The Sonics original members Gerry Roslie, Larry Parypa, and Rob Lind at the Ponderosa Stomp Music Conference with Billy Miller and Michael Hurtt.

At one point, Michael Hurtt asked Gerry Roslie if he ever wrote a love song, and Gerry said, very quietly,"Don't Be Afraid of the Dark." I stuck around after they were done so they could sign my 45, and so Larry Parypa could do a station ID for my show ROCK SEXY on ARTxFM.

     

Love this city!

The Sonics in action at the Rock'n'Bowl New Orleans. October 4th, 2013. Original members Andy Parypa and Bob Bennett are not able to travel but Freddie Dennis and Dusty Watson have filled in quite well.

One of the best voices in rock and roll, Gerry Roslie!

One of the founding brothers, guitar player Larry Parypa.

Wow, Chris Montez!

Backed by Deke Dickerson and Cyril Jordan!

Deke and Cyril

Seriously, the bands that back these guys and ladies up are ON POINT! That chick guitar player to the right was badass and Deke Dickerson is always amazing, I have seen him at every Stomp and he is great. His band Untamed Youth is awesome.

Ty Wagner playing it cool.

 I made a new friend. Diana from Switzerland. Check out her show NIGHT TRAIN RADIO. Search NIGHT TRAIN RADIO, it is on podomatic. I am having trouble posting a link.

These are my favorite...pictures of me posing with a cheese grin with Chris Montez and Cyril Jordan!

Michael Hurtt: (to Gerry Roslie) "Did you ever write a love song?"

Gerry Roslie: "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark."

The Sonics signing stuff. Freddie Dennis (of The Kingsmen) who can sing like whoa!, being a goofball.

Filtered version

Blurry pic of The Standells performing. Well I love that dirty water!

Tom Kenny of Mr. Show, Adventuretime, Spongebob Squarepants, and a bunch of other stuff, is a music lover. I spotted him the first time at the Stomp in 2009 and got my picture with him. This time we hung out and talked to him for a while, about music and television, as he is a super friendly, and he did these station IDs for my show as a couple of his current characters.

When it comes to shoes, best $12 I ever spent.

 

Late night T-shirt shot

Brunch at Mother's.

Diana! Don't forget to check out her show Night Train Radio on Podomatic.

Until next time...I hope you enjoyed the photos. Obviously I didn't get pictures of all the great singers and performers and believe me there was so much more to see, I always wish it lasted longer. 

I should also mention that the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting the unsung heroes of rock and roll back to the stage. I encourage you to check out their website for more information by clicking this link : Ponderosa Stomp Foundation

As always, thanks for the support!