Ernest Joseph “Tabby” Thomas—the “Godfather of Baton Rouge Blues”—died peacefully at home January 1 after a long illness. A prolific recording artist, club owner, record label owner, and all-around goodwill ambassador for Louisiana’s blues tradition, Thomas was a fixture on the Baton Rouge music scene for the better part of six-decades.

[caption id="attachment_351333" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Louisi...