I’ve met a lot of people in my career as a publisher. Many times I’m asked how long I’ve been “doing this.” It’s been almost 20 years, a fact which seems to amaze a lot of people. I suppose when you’re in the middle of the fray you lose sight of the supposed longevity of a small, regionally-focused music and culture magazine. OffBeat isn’t—wasn’t—supposed to have been around that long. But it has survived.

It’s been a rather—shall we say—“challenging” ride, and for someone like me who believes wholeheartedly in the musicians and music businesses of Louisiana, it’s frustrating not to be able to engender support from more advertisers in this market, and from outside New Orleans as well. I’ve always taken pride is presenting a publication that is emblematic of the New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture, and putting it out there in a way that’s readable, attractive, stirs up controversy and creates paid work for writers, photographers, artists, the OffBeat staff, and particularly for our music community. That’s been our mission and goal, and I think that we’ve achieved a lot. But, there’s so much more to do.

It’s a sad fact that, for the most part, the people who live here—I’ll just target these remarks primarily to New Orleanians—have little or no appreciation for local music and musicians, and how important our musical culture is to making New Orleans special. It’s really sad. And stupid.

I just returned from a business trip to Nashville “Music City,” Tennessee. The Nashville airport is loaded with references to music. Music is everywhere you look in the city. In addition to the music business, songwriters galore, festivals, and music venues, Nashville even has a thriving ballet, several orchestras and an opera.

Yes, I know we’re post-Katrina. Yes, I also know that most of our theaters have been flooded and they’re closed, but perhaps a few of you noticed that a lot of attention was given to New Orleans musicians after the storm. We have a musical cachet that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the universe. Why aren’t we capitalizing on it more?

Yes, we have the Musicians’ Village. Thank God for the music relief agencies who are helping to provide instruments, health care, housing and gigs for our local musicians. But as we rebuild our city, we need to come up with a visionary plan that includes making our music a central part of the appeal of living here, moving here, opening a business here, and investing here.

Why aren’t we planning a feasible music corridor on Rampart Street? Why isn’t there a coordinated plan to produce a series of funded festivals to solidify our reputation as a world-class festival city? Where’s the world-class jazz museum plan headed? Why no coordinated effort to showcase historical music landmarks throughout the city?

I think that people in New Orleans are so “caught up in it” that they can’t see the forest for the trees. We’re wasting a real opportunity, and I hate to see it happen. Again.

Will somebody please focus on our music in rebuilding New Orleans’ future?

Irma Thomas is one of New Orleans’ jewels. The woman grew up in New Orleans; she’s been recognized as the city’s premier female vocalists (Irma has won Best Female Vocalist at OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards for several years running and has been honored by Gambit Weekly’s Big Easy Awards). Irma has an absolutely wonderful, unforgettable voice. She’s soulful, she’s resilient, she loves New Orleans, and she plans to return after repairing her house that was destroyed by Katrina. She’s a bright, shining star, and it was about time she was recognized for her musical excellence by receiving a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Irma, you are the best, and so deserving. We are all so grateful to have you in our midst. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world, and thank goodness you were finally awarded a Grammy.