As a good way to start a new year, it’s time for me to sincerely and publicly thank the musicians, music businesses, subscribers and advertisers who support OffBeat and our other publications, including the Louisiana Music Directory. Without you, there would be no us.

I often comment to musicians that I know exactly what it’s like for a working musician, You are basically a small entrepreneur, with all the problems of any business: getting work, making sure it’s done well and that your customer is happy; getting scurrilous customers to pay you on time (or at all); paying taxes; marketing; paying bills, and most of all: doing a good job so that people hire you again. Without our advertisers—many of whom have advertised in OffBeat for years—we wouldn’t exist. We want to make sure that your advertising works for you (and apparently it does, or you wouldn’t still be with us).

I’d also like to thank the government and educational entities that have supported what OffBeat has tried to achieve over the past 15 years, most notably the City of New Orleans Economic Development and Music Offices; the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and Louisiana Department of Economic Development, Delgado Community College and Loyola University’s Music Business Program. Ironically, the city’s only music magazine no longer gets advertising support from the Louisiana Music Commission, perhaps because OffBeat has dared to point out problems which we feel need correcting.

We’ve also gained a supporter through Hibernia Bank, which is the title sponsor of this year’s Best of The Beat Awards (more on that later!).

These are the people who support your music community and are helping to make it bigger and more stable. They support what OffBeat has tried very hard to accomplish: respect for music and musicians and the vital role they play in the culture and economy of the city and state.

Being comprised of a lot of creative people, OffBeat’s small family of staff and writers appreciate what you contribute in making music and supporting it by listening to it live; supporting music media like OffBeat, WWOZ, WTUL and WWNO; and buying local music. We know how hard it is; we need to help each other as much as possible to make things better. While it’s not necessarily all about money, it is about soul and heart, and that’s what makes what we do worthwhile.

Let’s work together this year for our common good. When we work together, we all benefit.

BEST OF THE BEAT

As I write this, we’re putting together OffBeat’s eighth annual Best of The Beat Music Awards and Music Business Awards shows. This is going to be our biggest and best party yet! At press time, we have eight bands booked for the event, which will move this year to TwiRoPa, 1544 Tchoupitoulas Street (call us if you don’t know how to get there). Mark your calendars for Friday, February 7, 2003 from 6 p.m. til. There will be our (somewhat) entertaining—and never boring—awards show; food from some of the city’s coolest (and music-supportive) restaurants; schmoozing; dancing; partying and hopefully, a lot of fun for old farts like myself to every hipster in town. The point is, to like it, you gotta like the music. That’s what the OffBeat Awards are all about! Tickets are in limited supply and are available for only $15 each from OffBeat (504-944-4300) or from our website at offbeat.com.

Our title sponsor this year is Hibernia Bank, which has taken a great leap forward in coming forth as the only bank in the state which is actively trying to develop the music industry. Also sponsoring this year’s events are Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the city’s Music Office.

GOINGS ON

Congratulations to jazz trumpeter Maurice Brown and saxophonist Quamon Fowler, who were featured in OffBeat’s Jazzin’ column in October, for winning ASCAP’s Young Composer Competition for the songs “Rapture” and “Reinforcement” respectively.

Local singer/songwriter/performer Beth Patterson was recently involved in a nationwide commercial for Chili’s Restaurant. Seems she’ll be singing the praises of Chili’s babyback ribs around Superbowl time. You and your bazouki go, girl!

FESTIVALS EXPAND

As most everyone who knows anything about Jazz Fest knows, there will be an extra day added to the festivities this year—a Thursday will be added (April 24), thanks to the City of New Orleans. The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development is organizing the Mo’ Music Fest to help boost the impact that the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has on the city’s music industry.

The MO’ Music Fest will be a free event, taking place at Woldenberg Park on the Monday and Tuesday between Jazz Fest weekends (April 28 and 29). Mo’ Music Fest should interest Jazz Fest music fans who want to keep the party going, but it’s also intended as a showcase for local talent at a time when music industry leaders from around the world are in town for Jazz Fest.

The City has committed $100,000 to the Jazz Fest to help it add an extra day to its line-up. The partnership between the City and the New Orleans and the Jazz Festival will also help the City’s Department of Economic Development in its initiatives to grow the local music industry. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will help market the MO’ Music Fest. The City is seeking additional sponsors for the festival.

The City will also be setting up shop in a hospitality suite at the Fair Grounds for Jazz Fest. The Mayor and the Department of Economic Development will use the suite to court talent scouts, record industry professionals and other executives.

French Quarter Festival is expanding to include more music on Friday, with music all day at the Zatarain/OffBeat Cajun/Zydeco Stage. The French Quarter Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. Many Jazz Festers don’t know that this mid-April festival (this year April 11-13) has only local Louisiana performers. No Dave Matthews or Stings allowed. Last year French Quarter Festival attracted 300,000 people! And it’s free. In the coming years and hopefully with the City of New Orleans support, expanding the Festival to another Thursday certainly seems likely. In any event, welcome to 2003…Mo’ Music, mo’ festivals…bring ’em on!