[adrotate banner="48"]

It's somewhat appropriate that this year Gary Edwards is the recipient of OffBeat’s Lifetime Achievement Award, annually given to a member of the New Orleans music-business community, since he recently moved to Music Street in the Gentilly section of the city.

During the last 50 years, Edwards has worn many hats when it comes to the business of music. Musician, booking agent, sound engineer, retailer, wholesaler, producer, label and studio owner—if it has...