CULTURE OF PERMISSIVENESS
This letter is in response to Jan Ramsey’s February 21st blog post “Local attorney Stuart Smith tactics revealed in NOLA.com article” wherein she talks about Richard Webster’s article showing that Stuart Smith had threatened and intimidated public officials.
We don’t need new sound laws, but because of him [Stuart Smith] we will get them. Or even if they just start enforcing the current sound laws then New Orleans music is fucked anyway. Everyone needs to either push for a culture of permissiveness, or else accept that they will continue compromising over the years until the other side gets 100% of what they initially wanted. So even though I derive great pleasure from this recent turn of events, Stuart Smith still won, even down to getting the city to agree on the ridiculous notion that music is a health hazard.
—Michael Patrick Welch, New Orleans, Louisiana
HOW MANY BULLETS
This letter is in response to Jan Ramsey’s March 5th blog post “Mardi Gras without the Ammo.”
You said it perfectly, Jan [Ramsey]. Living outside Philly there are shootings all the time. And there is a huge suburban deer problem. But like you said…How many bullets do you need to take out a deer? And you can buy it all at Walmart.
—Deborah Kyle, Souderton, Pennsylvania
NO MUSIC TRADITION
We live in Minneapolis but we come to New Orleans for the music and the food. We have volunteered at the French Quarter Fest five times and the Jazz Fest two times. Our travels to New Orleans will change without the music staying the way it is now. There are plenty of places with “no music tradition” looking for tourists. We will be there for Carnival and stay south for French Quarter Festival this year.
—Curtis Gunderson, Minneapolis, Minnesota
MUST HAVE MUSIC
Your publication is a great resource for my “NOLA music and food habit.” I look forward to it every month and always use it to prepare for my French Quarter Fest schedule of food and music. That includes my list of must-have CDs.
—Jack Rusnak, Chicago, Illinois
WHAT GIVES?
Frank Etheridge: You think Bruce Springsteen blows and Phish rules? Hate away? [“Fest Five” March 2014] How old are you, 12? Wrote a Song for Everyone, Fogerty’s 2013 masterpiece? With Kid Rock and Foo Fighters? An album of retreads equals desperate attempt to make money.
—James R. Temple, New Orleans, Louisiana
LENA’S GOT HEART
It’s a terrific album. Great musicianship, songs and vocals—gotta disagree Bob. [February 2014 review of Lena Prima’s Starting Something by Robert Fontenot] There ain’t no Vegas in this record. I get a tug every time I hear Lena sing “I Believe in New Orleans.” She’s got a lot of heart.
—Will Jenkins, New Orleans, Louisiana
THE PASSING OF AL BERARD
I have lost a friend. The music world has lost a legend. Most of all, a beautiful family has lost a loving father and husband. Rest in peace, Al.
—Rick Knapich, Lafayette, Louisiana
A sad day for the little community of Cecilia. [Berard] was a mainstay in our community with us growing up going to the little night clubs in town to hear his bands play always to a packed house, to him and his family singing in the church and at weddings and funerals… His music will live on in the heritage he bestowed upon his children.
—Marcie Dauphine, Cecilia, Louisiana
I am so glad that I had a chance to sit in his fiddle class at Blackpot Camp in 2012. He was generous and funny, sweet and encouraging.
—Nikki Lee, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
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