It’s time to reflect on the past year and plan for the new. The live music scene is definitely going through major changes in New Orleans, with several new clubs coming on-line this year. The Jazz Fest will celebrate its 30th Anniversary as well.

The problem of the amusement tax has been challenged and is now solidly in the public’s consciousness thanks to the work of local attorneys Mitch Landrieu and Justin Zitler and the Louisiana Music Commission, and increased coverage in the local media.

The city of New Orleans is becoming ever more conscious of its need to preserve and protect its musical resources by involvement in the Jazz Historical Park, and by its conciliatory efforts towards clubs which have been harassed over the past few months. Mayor Morial, Jackie Harris of the New Orleans Music & Entertainment Commission and representatives from the police department met with Charlie and Donna Sims of Donna’s, Jimmy Anselmo of Jimmy’s and Chris Young of LABL to try and resolve recent problems which these and other clubs have experienced in the past few months.

Tipitina’s French Quarter opened very successfully in 1998 and in 1999 we have two major clubs opening in January in the French Quarter: Quint Davis’ and Ralph Brennan’s Storyville District at 125 Bourbon and Levon Helm’s Classic American Café at 300 Decatur.

Tyler’s Beer Garden has re-opened in Mid City at 3841 Orleans Avenue, and Southport will begin booking major acts in Jefferson Parish at 200 Monticello in January or February.

The question is: with so many more clubs coming on-line, will the existing clubs’ market suffer? New Orleanians tend to be skeptical and threatened when competition comes inóbut it can be very healthy. Witness what’s happened on Decatur Street since the House of Blues opened five years ago. I believe it’s up to the music club owners to unite and market their music in tandem. That way you create more customers. We need to use our culture and musical heritage even more to attract visitors to the city. They love the music; it’s up to us to let them know it’s there for the taking.

January is also the time that OffBeat presents its Best of The Beat Awards for the most outstanding bands and musicians, clubs, recordings and music businesses of the year (see pages 14 through 16 of this issue for the winners). This is our fourth annual event, and it’s gotten bigger and better every year, thanks to the efforts of our major sponsors (The House of Blues, WWL-TV and Abita Beer). We really give these awards and throw this party primarily for our musicians. They need to know how great they really are and how much we appreciate them. We’ve also added a Best of The Beat Music Business Awards event for members of our local music industry, which will take place on January 5th at the new Storyville District. These are the behind-the-scenes people who also need to be awarded for their efforts.

I’m so pleased to announce that Tommy Ridgleyówho graces this month’s OffBeat coveróhas been selected as OffBeat’s recipient of the 1998 Best of The Beat Lifetime Achievement Award.

I used to enjoy Tommy and The Untouchables at local CYO dances when I was a kid growing up in Harahan. And he’s still here, singing his heart out. Tommy will receive his award at this year’s Best of The Beat Awards at the House of Blues on January 6, King’s Dayóyou’re the king of R&B, Tommy, and you deserve this honor more than anyone I know! Tommy and his band will also play at the House of Blues on January 29th (opening for Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts) as a part of the HOB’s fifth anniversary celebration. The House will present five days of music beginning on January 28th with Keb’ Mo’ and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. And on Saturday January 30th, Fats Domino will make a rare local appearance at the House of Blues.

I’d also like to encourage everyone to attend Caffeine Music’s New Orleans Songwriters’ Night at Carrollton Station on January 31st. This event takes place the last Sunday of every month. This month participants will include Anders Osborne, Lenny Jorns, Kim Carson and Larry John McNally. All of these singer-songwriters have written outstanding material. The first three may be familiar to local audiences, but Larry John’s songs will probably be familiar to you tooóLarry John wrote "Nobody’s Girl," arguably one of the best songs Bonnie Raitt has ever recorded. Other songs of his have been covered by Rod Stewart, Aaron Neville, Chaka Chan, Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. A note for local musicians: it’s the songs that make you real money in the music business. Check it out.