WATERMELON MAN
In 1979, I flew from Houston to Nashville. On the flight was Bo Diddley. He was in his black outfit with black glasses and hat and black briefcase. About 20 minutes into the flight he takes out his briefcase. I was really curious to see if he was going to write a song or something—although he probably hadn’t written anything since 1958. So he opens up his briefcase and in it is half a watermelon and a big ol’ knife stuck in it. He proceeded to cut it up and eat it.

-Joe Sunseri, New Orleans, LA

BIG OIL
I couldn’t help but notice your comments about the “negative effect” of “big oil” in your Weekly Beat column.
Please remember that Shell sponsors Jazz Fest. Shell stepped up and supported Jazz Fest at a very critical time after Katrina. I do not work for Shell, but I am a contractor for a large exploration technology company.

Many people who work in oil and gas exploration and production come to Jazz Fest every year. They also attend French Quarter Fest, Satchmo SummerFest, and Mardi Gras. These “oil patch” professionals pump significant amounts of money into the local economy. This discretionary spending supports local restaurants, hotels, musicians and OffBeat.

The “big majors” control only about 15 percent of the world’s proven reserves, with the rest controlled by national oil companies in Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Venezuela, Nigeria, Angola, and Mexico. The current surge in prices is due to increasing demand coupled with the decline of the dollar against other currencies. Wells in deepwater Gulf of Mexico are now drilled below the salt layer, five miles below the surface. It takes sophisticated technology and major investment capital to find new domestic reserves. America is now going through withdrawal symptoms from their dependency on cheap oil. Get used to the fact that there is no more cheap oil. Gasoline prices are still lower here than they are in Europe. When the oil and gas industry makes a higher rate of return on investment that “big pharma” companies like Merck, then you can complain.

I have worked as a geoscience professional for 32 years in New Orleans, Lafayette, and Houston. I currently work in Houston, but I also own a house in Uptown New Orleans. I plan to retire in New Orleans. Many folks whose jobs are now in Texas still have homes in New Orleans. We also pay property taxes and cover charges at local music clubs. Since Katrina, three homeless brass band musicians have stayed temporarily at my house due to the lack of affordable housing. So when you talk about “big oil,” remember that the “oil patch” is just as important to the local economic food chain as tourism and conventions.

-Bruce Ward, Houston, TX

QUE VIVA NEW ORLEANS MUSICA!
I’m writing in regards to the article by Jan Ramsey’s April 2008 Mojo Mouth “Privilege and Pleasure.” I’m a music lover from Northern New Mexico—I come from a music family. I love and respect all music makers. They bring a special happiness to the world. I have had the pleasure and privilege of visiting the great music state of Louisiana and the incredible music city of New Orleans. I, like Ms. Ramsey, cannot understand why the greatest musical city I have ever been to doesn’t advertise its most diverse and culturally rich music on the planet. When I hear the name New Orleans I think of music, the best one can experience. To me New Orleans is the musical gem and national treasure of the United States. The festivals like the Jazz and Heritage Festival are a music lover’s ultimate experience. I hope New Orleans and its music will live on forever. Que Viva New Orleans Musica!

-Michael C. Martinez, Las Vegas, NM

PLEASE STAY HOME
You [Jan Ramsey] have done a remarkable job with OffBeat. I am a long time subscriber and this just made over 20 years I have come to enjoy it. The letter from James Temple was so outrageous that it could only come from a baby boomer and as a New Yorker (fifth generation), I don’t know where his complaint regarding the pricing and valuing the Fest line up comes from. Other than college memories and a few small clubs in Harlem plus Dale Fitzgerald Jazz Gallery, is there a place in New York for less than $50 and a 40-minute set?

Perhaps the rain put him off, but his letter was uncalled for and doesn’t address the need for revenue. My advice to him is please stay home!

-Dorothy Siesel, Producer, Jazz at Woodstock, New York, NY

GOOD WORK
I’m a long time blues and jazz semi-pro drummer, and first met Freddie [Little Freddie King] here in Ottawa Canada 4 or 5 years ago when he played the Ottawa Bluesfest. I subsequently became friends during my regular autumn visits to New Orleans.

Keep up the good work OffBeat!

-Brian Derick, Ottawa, Canada

HONEST & TRUE
I just want to thank you for keeping your reviews and articles honest and true. I’d imagine that there is pressure to put a fine gloss on everything, but then the readers couldn’t trust what we are reading. I’m excited every month when I open my mailbox here in San Francisco and am transported for a few hours.

-Larry Weinberg, San Francisco, CA

NEVILLES
Thanks for a well-considered, articulate article about the Nevilles. As a long time friend of the First Family, it is an accurate assessment of the situation.

James Patrick, San Francisco, CA

NEW ORLEANS MATTERS
Once again the OffBeat bible was our saving grace! We found out about shows and info we did not know were happening and had to use one copy for a dry seat cushion! I wish we could have tracked you down to thank you personally!

I gave my buddy a subscription last year because he could not come to Jazz Fest and after reading it for a year, guess who came down this year? He got his OffBeat right before he left and read it cover to cover (as I do) from the moment he got it until he arrived on May 1. We both especially enjoyed the cover art this year and took several back for Fest presents!

We can’t wait for next year! New Orleans matters!

Dean and Sue Styles, Winston Salem, NC

J&M STUDIO
Thank you for the wonderful article on J&M Studio in your Jazz Fest issue. It is about time that more people recognize Cosimo Matassa’s contributions to the music industry. We have long felt that he is overlooked, which is one reason we started producing J&M T-shirts (with Cosimo’s permission, of course). We have been selling these shirts since November and have been donating all the profits to the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic. If any of your readers are interested in buying a shirt, they can order them on-line at BackwardGlances.com and click on the J&M logo. Starting this month, some of the shirt styles will also be available at Louisiana Music Factory. It’s a great way to help promote awareness of J&M’s importance to rock ‘n’ roll, and help New Orleans musicians at the same time.

-Cindy & Dave Ciullo, Perth Amboy, NJ

BESH WITH ABSINTHE
Ya gotta love that Chef John Besh with Absinthe [in the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism] advertisement! It’s about time.

-Sparky Bolivar, Novato, CA