Troubled Men Podcast

The veteran tenor saxophone player grew up with family friends Louis Prima and Sam Butera as his mentors, becoming bandleader of his own group the Emperors at age 12. By 17, Johnny was playing the biggest clubs on Bourbon St., later working with recording stars including Freddy Fender, Ernie K-Doe, Dr. John, Frankie Ford, Sam Cooke, and Kenny Rogers. Now with Vince Vance and the Valiants, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductee drops in for a sit-down with the Troubled Men. It's an offer they can't refuse. Topics include an attack ad, campaign finance, the Best Life pharmacy, Sidney Smith RIP, the Department of War, the Oval Office, RFK Jr., Bruce Loose Calderwood RIP, Freddie Staehle, Corleone, St. Aloysius, the Dream Room, Skip Easterling, Sam Anselmo, Walter Noto, Dizzy Gillespie, Edgar Winter, Papa Joe's, the Bistro, Sinatra, Little Joe Lambert, Joe Fine, Johnny Mathis, curing cancer, Duke Ellington, Jay Zainey, Bobby Lonero, the Prima shuffle, CRS, Brian Barbarot, Chispa Rousselle, Sergio Franchi,

The 3rd-generation multi-instrumentalist spent his formative years in his family band, Ovi G. and Los Ranas (the Froggies), the latest incarnation of a group started in the 1940s by his grandfather as a marimba orchestra in Guatemala. Growing up in New Orleans with his master musician father, Ovi started playing professionally at 8 years old, and eventually was recruited to be a drummer at NOCCA. Now a working musician in bands including Margie Perez, Vivas, Victor Campbell and Jafet Perez, and Los Tremolo Kings, Ovi sits in with the Troubled Men in an attempt to elevate the proceedings. It's worth a shot.   Topics include a ribbon cutting, federal troops, Hugh Hefner, a Chinese parade, Castro, an Alejandro Escovedo show, the NFL season, Arch Manning, twins, a Make-A-Wish request, Disney World, a Tribe Nunzio show, Carnaval Latino, Laplace, home schooling, perfect pitch, a German immigrant, a music conservatory, Julio Y Cesar, El Grupo Rana, soca, Gino Vannelli, Goldfinger, a firing squad, a crooked unc

The drummer and manager for Little Freddie King has been with the legendary electric country blues man for over three decades, sheparding every aspect of his career. Wacko started out with the Nightowls playing at the notorious Mary's Tavern, and later backed a fresh-out-of-Angola Freddy Fender at Papa Joe's on Bourbon St. His long partnership with Little Freddie has taken them to over 150 cities in 15 countries around the world. Having spent 6 months as a target of the Vietcong in Da Nang Harbor, Wacko has no problem handling the slings and arrows of the Troubled Men.   Topics include the mayor's race, an arraignment, facial recognition, a losers’ forum, a Chris Farley type, Ricky Twiggs, FEMA money, boxing gloves, Sidney Smith, conjoined twins, a nickname, a production company, the Orleans St. canal, Dibert Elementary School, Sacred Heart elementary school, Al Dorian, St. Aloysius High School, Germania Hall, Huey Piano Smith, Little Joe Lambert, Ronnie Barron, the Playboy Club, the draft, Rickie Castrill

The award-winning vocalist, piano player, songwriter, and WWOZ radio host grew up in the Caribbean community in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, singing in the Seventh Day Adventist church. After years spent in New York and Europe recording jingles and touring with other artists, she relocated to New Orleans to focus on her solo career. With a new live release, "Give Power To The People," coming out September 26, Cole joins René and guest co-host Jeff Treffinger in the Feral Zone.   Topics include a ghost permit, cats, selling plasma, the Katrina anniversary, a criminal enterprise, the Peter principle, classical piano performance, mentors, Curtis Muhammad, activism, Jersey City, Little Jackie, Victoria's Secret, modeling in Europe, the Clash tribute show, a first rehearsal, volunteering, Corey Henry, acting, sandwiches, filming "Sinners," Hank's, a Chip Forstall commercial, and much more.   Intro music: "Trucker Takes A Wife" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro Music: "The Golden Road" and "Freedom Song" from "Give Powe

The Grammy-nominated drummer and bandleader of Cha Wa first encountered the rhythms of the Mardi Gras Indians during a lesson with Idris Muhammad while studying at Berklee. After a move to New Orleans and years spent playing with the Wild Magnolias and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, he decided to strike out on his own. With Cha Wa's new record "Rise Up" coming out, Joe enters the Feral Zone with René and guest cohost Jeff Treffinger to recount his odyssey. Topics include an open permit, a parking lot crash, Italian ancestry, a Westport childhood, a spiritual quest, the Meters, Nirvana, the Mingus Big Band, Paul Newman, jam bands, Boston, Galactic at the Mermaid Lounge, a gospel gig, Lettuce, body language, Trent Reznor at Snake and Jake's, Geechie Johnson, Honey Banister, playing in the street, a tradition of innovation, Bo Dollis, Irma Thomas, Donald Markowitz, making amends, Louise Goffin, and much more. Intro music: "Trucker Takes A Wife" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro Music: "Here We Come" and "Why You Wann

The award-winning jewelry and metalwork designer whose work is currently on view at Sullivan Gallery has also exhibited at RHINO Gallery, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. A perennial favorite at the N.O. Jazz Fest Contemporary Craft Village, she has exhibited her work there since the late '80s. Having recently completed a pilgrimage in Spain on the Camino de Santiago, tonight Margo forgoes the solitude for a dive bar dust up with the Troubled Men.   Topics include Tiki Tuesday, collapsing buildings, a mayoral forum, Loose Cattle at Chickie Wah Wah, an honest bartender, a funeral, Flaco Jimenez RIP, a South African crime, blended yogurt, self checkout, North Carolina, smoking, a small town, art school, John Satterfield, a master’s degree, moving to town, bartending at Snug Harbor, bench work for Thomas Mann, antiquity and decay, LeMieux Galleries, Venice, triplets, rehab, teaching at Delgado, a scientist husband, UCLA, production pieces, enamelling, a summer residency, the Gau

The singer, songwriter, and guitarist of Human Drama started with the Models in the early '80s New Orleans punk scene before relocating the group to L.A., changing the name, and signing a record deal with RCA. Dissatisfaction with major label politics led to a move to Triple X Records and string a of successful releases and videos, cultivating a large fanbase in Mexico along the way. Now back in the New Orleans area and reconnecting with all the old punks, Johnny meets with the Troubled Men just down the road from the clubs of his youth. Who says you can't go home again? Topics include a last campaign, the Epstein files, finance regulations, a Chuck E. Cheese arrest, Prof. Tom Lehrer RIP, Hulk Hogan RIP, fake wrestling, tube tops, the Jane's Addiction lawsuits, Perry Farrell's house, DNA testing, the St. Bernard Civic Center, cover bands, a phone company job, the Backstabbers, L.A. clubs, Madame Wong's West, the goth audience, "Night Flight," Harry Maslin, Tarsem, string players, Damien Youth, the Red Rock

The two-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter and singer with the Lost Bayou Ramblers and Louis Michot's Swamp Magic is also a founding member of the dreamy pop outfit Brass Bed and their lo-fi offshoot Carbon Poppies. The first album "Droste" from his solo ambient pedal steel guitar project Weeks Island was recently reissued on vinyl by LCD Soundsystem's DFA label, while Brass Bed just released the beautiful single, "Ready To Run." Idle hands being the devil's playthings, Jonny usually keeps himself occupied, but tonight he manages to find some time to waste with the Troubled Men. Topics include disqualified candidates, mayoral forums, Yahoo mail, Ozzy RIP, youth groups, the swingers convention, driverless cars, Frank Sinatra Jr., the Gettys, a deadly MRI, a fugitive recap, a Chris Rose update, RFK Jr., RC Cola, the KC Royals, mutton chop sideburns, Lafayette, "Fantasia," Campos Tacos, school jazz band, a psychology degree, an NCIS taping, Scott Bakula, the movie biz, joining the Ramblers, a solo

The fine art model and George Dureau muse known as Kathy B is also Kitty Baudoin and Fraulein Frances, singer with the Sleazeball Orchestra and Funhouse. Her time in the Tenderloin of late 80s San Francisco, as chronicled in Joe Westmoreland's book "Tramps Like Us," added musical performance art to the mix. With the recent publication of some iconic photographs of her in the new "George Valentine Dureau" art book, memories were jogged and personae were connected. Tonight Kathy/Kitty joins the Troubled Men as they reach back through the mists of time to bring it all to light.   Topics include mayoral qualifying, clown camp, a birthday party, a no contest plea, the Epstein client list, weight gain, campaign finance, a big beautiful bill, Slidell, Camile Baudoin, Mushroom Records, "Images of Kathy B," an N.E.A. grant, NOMA, David Swoyer, Brian Reeves, manly gays, Quentin Crisp, a Cafe Sbisa painting, Eddie B, a first meeting, Asplundh Tree Service, Clark Vreeland, Pete LaBonne, Steve Amedee, Suzy Creamcheez

The guitar player, songwriter, and singer with Big In The 90s, the Walrus, and the Breton Sound also spent years playing with the hard-touring Cowboy Mouth. With his popular "Ranking The Beatles" podcast, he hosts fellow fanatics as they indulge their obsession with the group and its catalogue. Tonight Jonathan sits in with the Troubled Men and finds out what a hard day's night is really about.   Topics include a press release, Frank Scurlock, an Uber ride, political forums, campaigning, the Diddy verdict, the Mann Act, Dr. Dre, new Barbie dolls, a $1,000 birth benefit, health insurance, the Greek Festival, Isidore Newman school, Oasis, Tommy McIntosh, George Martin, LSU, a prog band, the Garden District, Fred LeBlanc, Vance Degeneres, a family business, bar mail, touring, Kyle Melancon, a piñata, porch shows, a WWOZ rooftop show, the Red Rockers reunion, "Becoming Led Zeppelin," "Get Back," Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, music docs, Kyle Gass, "Breakfast With the Beatles," Giles Martin remixes, and much more.  

The Junior League songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist mastermind has also played and recorded with the Minus 5 with Scott McCaughy and REM's Peter Buck. A Beatles devotee since he heard "I Want To Hold Your Hand" on oldies radio at the age of 4, he's channeled his power-pop influences including Big Star, the Monkees, Bowie, Badfinger, and the Kinks into over a dozen excellent records. Tonight Joe joins the Troubled Men as they reflect on the chaos and ennui of the 1970s Me Decade. Key party, anyone?   Topics include a new mayoral candidate, Ricky Twiggs Jr., A.I., a captured fugitive, the Diddy verdict, Finnish fines, Lalo Schifrin RIP, Bobby Sherman RIP, Lou Christy RIP, Jimmy Lee Swaggart RIP, "Helter Skelter," Powers Boothe, Jim Jones, John Lennon's death, learning to play drums, college rock, the Record Stop, Florida, JJ Murphy, marriage, moving to New Orleans, the Magic Bus, Tiki Tuesdays, home recording, car phones, VCRs, answering machines, Alex Chilton records, Natasha Sanchez, Tom Stern, B

The indie filmmaker, photographer, firefighter, and former teacher went from USC film school in South Central L.A. to the war zone of a New Orleans-area high school classroom. His latest film “The Great Davini” stars Snake and Jake’s beloved owner Dave Clements in the title role. Jason’s service as a first responder in the Katrina aftermath tested his mettle in ways most never encounter. A world traveler, he’s has been to Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan, but tonight he really takes his life in his hands when he convenes with the Troubled Men. Topics include the mayoral campaign, a sweltering gig, a sunburn contest, the Diddy trial, Iranian terror cells, a FEMA director, the Lakers sale, Jerry Buss, the NBA, the WNBA, escaped convicts, Jimmy Chubbuck, Indiana tornados, '90s indie films, an arrest, Jim Jarmusch, the Sons of Lee Marvin, the public library, the Mermaid Lounge, Henry Griffin, Timecode NOLA, 48 Hour Films, Zeitgeist Arts Center, Dave Clements in "The Great Davini," tabletop magic, "9th Ward Justice,"

The guitar player, singer, and songwriter has released over a dozen records under his own name and as leader of the Brides of Jesus and the Restless Natives. Stints playing with Anders Osborne, the Wild Magnolias, and his Iko Allstars, in addition to tour managing the Neville Brothers, the Funky Meters, and George Porter and the Running Pardners, have put him in the thick of the New Orleans funk mix. Tonight Billy chances a return to Snake and Jake's with the Troubled Men to conjure the ghosts of the Christmas Club's past.   Topics include a military parade, Juneteenth, Father's Day, a Christian punk band, a stoning, an apartment registry, a Pride parade, a Shame parade, the Carousel Bar, Bourbon St., Brian Wilson RIP, Dr. Landy, a Beach Boys concert, a Deadhead father, heavy metal, Providence, tapers, New York, the Wetlands, Dave Matthews, Athens, Russell Batiste, Bo Dollis, Quint Davis, Reggie Scanlan, Eddie Christmas, Joe Ashlar, Frenchmen St. clubs, camping festivals, CR Gruver, Mike Doussan, and much mor

The singer, bandleader, and accordion and harmonica player for Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots was previously an NFL football player and a U.S. park ranger. International tours with Paul Simon, Sting, and his own band have carried him far from his upbringing in rural Arkansas. Sunpie's childhood experience handling poisonous vipers in the backwoods serves him well as he sits down with the Troubled Men at Snake & Jake's. Topics include the Big Island festival, a volcanic eruption, Tony Tocco, Atchafalaya restaurant, a flight delay, a bomb threat, convicts on the loose, the penny, ICE riots, sharecropping, the Pentecostal Church, baptisms, selling snakes, a rattlesnake round up, tent revivals, playing piano, a Buick Electra 225, integration, Jacques Cousteau, Marlin Perkins, Loretta Swit, a life plan, eating mule, a value system, the NFL draft, turf toe, the USFL, Bo Jackson, Raiders fans, Joe Sample, Harry Belafonte, early retirement, and much more.    Intro music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

The award-winning radio documentarian, musicologist, and long-running WWOZ DJ showcases his deep knowledge of music every Tuesday at 10pm with his Freaknology Lunatique radio show. By day David is the music curator for the Louisiana State Museum and curator of the New Orleans Jazz Museum, producing exhibitions and live programming and caretaking their 71,000-piece collection. His reign as emcee for the alternative Chaz Fest demonstrates his love for weirdos and misfits. He should feel right at home tonight with the Troubled Men.Topics include escaped convicts, accomplices, a brownout, Len Davis, an aggressive pat-down, a Hawaiian vacation, the beach, senior moments, the penny, an intern, Boston, an elite high school, chowder, Southies, college radio, avant-garde jazz, Katharine Hepburn, an overnight show, James Booker, the new WWOZ studios, Darryl Berger, Griper, Michael Ward, a ghost story, AFO Records, Everette Maddox, the Maple Leaf, the Truck Farm, the Geraniums, Tom Thayer, and much more. Intro music: "J

The Folk/Trip Hop songwriter, singer, and guitarist left the Stella Adler Conservatory, recorded an independent record, and got signed to Atlantic. Disillusioned with the major label experience, he fell in with Nels Cline and the NYC Downtown scene, recording music outside the dying corporate music machine. Tonight, on a break from house concert tours, Dustan drops in for an intimate evening with the Troubled Men. He can't get more outside the system than that. Topics include a jailbreak, Sheriff Hutson, Marlon Gusman, soap operas, a one-man show, OPP, a freeway crossing, Al Scramuzza RIP, Ruthie the Duck Lady, the Naked Cowboy, Chris Rose, a Mt. Everest climber, South African refugees, Nottoway Plantation burning, Todd Rundgren's birthday cake, Cajun lineage, St. James Parish, Perique tobacco, McNeese State, modeling, a piano class, Alice Winston, digital recording, Williamsburg, the Clash Day shows, a work ethic, collage, serialism, song placements, Freakfolk, St. Roch, Danny Blume, a DIY operation, and muc

The Grammy Award-winning trombone player and bandleader of the Tropicales, his 1960s-styled Caribbean lounge group, has been a mainstay of the Trad Jazz and Frenchmen St scenes since his arrival in town almost two decades ago. A chance encounter with mastermind Jimbo Mathis led to years touring and recording with the Squirrel Nut Zippers. With the Tropicales’ schedule heating up, Charlie drops by to cool his heels with the Troubled Men.  Topics include the end of the school year, a new pope, junkyard auto parts, a trip to the dump, the Diddy trial, Pete Rose reinstated, RFK Jr.'s germ theory, St. Louis, a trombone joke, a hockey team, a family ska band, REM opening for the English Beat, teenage club gigs, a priest uncle, overblowing, solo records, NuTone Recordings, Algiers, the Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival, Doug Garrison, sidemen, the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, Exotica, Martin Denny, the lounge music revival, Herb Alpert, Brasil ‘66, Derek Carr, "The Alcoa Sessions," 78 rpms, wax cylinders, summer t

The songwriter, singer, and guitar player has been making records as a solo artist and with his band Varnaline for over two decades. His collaborations with Son Volt’s Jay Farrar include the “New Multitudes” project with Jim James of My Morning Jacket which paired unused Woody Guthrie lyrics with new music. With a show of his oil paintings currently running at Nola ’Nacular gallery and a summer tour with fellow troubadour Steve Earle coming up, Anders takes a detour into the Christmas Club for a couple rounds with the Troubled Men. Topics include a backyard concert, Lynn Drury, good gigs, Newell Normand, porch parties, a cereal killer, milk and meat, a dead pope, the College of Cardinals, Morris Day and the Time, bad tenants, medical advice, open tunings, Hudson Valley, a farm, the circus, Donnie’s vs coyotes, writing songs, the Kentucky Derby, 4-track recording, Portland, strip clubs, a divided ballroom, moving to Alaska, immediacy in art, Anthony DelRosario, Gob Iron, moving to New Orleans, Miss Mae’s, Fre

The award-winning reporter, music critic, playwright, and author of the excellent book "Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival" has written for many top news outlets and publications, the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, the New York Times, ABC News, Downbeat, and Mojo among them. The Chicago native who now splits his time between there and New Orleans has also written a number of Offbeat cover stories, including the Irma Thomas feature for the recent Jazz Fest issue. Mark has always had a genuine interest in and curiosity about people. His night with the Troubled Men may cure him of that. Topics include an illness, Santana, Wink Martindale RIP, Dick Clark's house, Pepperdine University, the Pope’s death, Susan Cowsill's Joni Mitchell show, bad gigs, a bike rider, a flood, a water bill, Entergy, a message from the past, theater of the mind, radio, Oak Park, Fitzgerald's American Music Fest, the Beat writers, Bob Dylan, "A Complete Unknown," "I'm Not There," a col

The singer and musician with Les Cenelles Creole Ensemble, early music group Musica da Camera, and rock band Shot Down in Equador Jr. has recently completed the "Musique(s)!” project (w/ Louis Michot, Leyla McCalla, Sweet Crude, and Sunpie Barnes) for the American Folklife Center resulting in an album, book, film, and exhibition documenting French and Creole music in Louisiana. An antique bookbinder by trade and an esoterica fan by inclination, Joe has a deep appreciation for history and connecting the dots. Tonight he puts himself in a bind with the Troubled Men.   Topics include French Quarter Fest, Greg Schatz, a shooting, a Passover Seder, matza, "Chad Gadya," Ladino, Gardenia Moon's "Dead Flowers," a death sentence, political violence, a motorcycle accident, Boston, Treme, Riverbend, Spectrum, Hurricane Betsy, the Fertel family, NOCCA, the Grosses, St. Augustine H. S., a Kinko's job, Bill Davis, Kelly Keller, Nicky Sanzenbach, Peter Strauss, Mary Tyler Moore, Chuck Gwartney, ethnomusicology, the Carolin