Unleashing the Funk: Big Sam’s Musical Journey – EP 194
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Release Date: 11/01/2023
The Mardi Gras Game
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
My guest today is a New Orleanian who decided to create a board game focused on Mardi Gras. Michael Combes was disappointed in the lack of games with a New Orleans theme, so he created his own. Listen in as he describes the game and his plans for making it a reality.
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EP 222 - Arthur Hardy Mardi Gras Preview 2025
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
My guest today probably knows as much about Mardi Gras as anyone. He’s published an annual Mardi Gras Guide for 49 years, including the 2025 edition. I'm thrilled to be joined by Arthur Hardy!
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EP 221 - The Sugar King
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is all about Leon Goudchax, a Jewish immigrant to New Orleans who made a fortune as a merchant, and a sugar cane farmer and refiner.
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The Year in Review - 2024
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is a recap of 2024 and a bit of looking ahead to what’s in store for the show in 2025.
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Saving Mr. Bingle
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is all about Mr. Bingle, a beloved local Christmas character created by a department store. Joining me is author Sean Patrick Doles who created a fairy tale called Saving Mr. Bingle. We discuss Mr. Bingle's history as well as Sean's book.
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EP 218 - A Health Update & The River Rats Reprise
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is about the Mississippi River batture, and specifically the people who’ve chosen to live on that sliver of land over the years. To help me explore this culture I’ve enlisted the help of Macon Fry, author of the book They Called Us River Rats, and himself an inhabitant of the batture.
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Mosquito Supper Club - EP217
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
My guest is an author, a chef, and perhaps most importantly a Cajun woman, in love with her native land and way of life. Melissa Martin joins me to talk about the restaurant, her latest cookbook, Bayou, Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life, and more.
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The Skeleton House - EP216
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
For more than 40 years, the Berger House at 6000 St. Charles Avenue is transformed each Halloween into the Skeleton House. The lawn is covered with dozens of skeletons, each with a costume and a name. In 2024, the skeletons embraced the arrival of Taylor Swift and her Eras tour. Join me as I learn all about it from Louellen Berger.
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Porgy’s Seafood Market
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
My guests today are the co-owners of Porgy's Seafood Market, a local market and restaurant with a focus on Louisiana caught seafood.
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Listener Questions - EP214
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
This week, we answer questions about New Orleans from listeners like you!
info_outlineGet ready to groove with Big Sam, the renowned trombonist and bandleader of Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Join him as he shares his insights on the importance of putting on a show and preserving New Orleans’ musical heritage.
Big Sam Williams, the renowned New Orleans musician, has always had a deep passion for music. From a young age, he knew he wanted to do something extraordinary with his talent. His journey began in middle school when he joined the marching band, seeking an outlet for his musical aspirations. Little did he know, this decision would shape his future.
Introduced to the trombone by a music teacher named Daryl Dickerson, Big Sam quickly fell in love with the instrument. Despite his initial struggles, he persevered, teaching himself to play by ear and immersing himself in the world of music theory. As he honed his skills, he realized that he had a natural talent for reading music and a deep understanding of musical concepts.
In high school, Big Sam and his friends formed their own band, the Stooges Brass Band, which marked the beginning of his professional music career. Through his experiences in various marching bands and collaborations with esteemed musicians, Big Sam found his calling and has since become a celebrated figure in the New Orleans music scene. His story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the transformative nature of music.