Deacon John accepted his Best of the Beat Lifetime Achievement in Music honor at this year’s invitation-only event at Harrah’s Theater because he had a prior commitment on the night of our show at the House of Blues. At the request of publisher Jan Ramsey, Deacon John has sent us the text of his acceptance speech so that we could share it with those who weren’t at Harrah’s that night in January:
“Good evening, everybody!
First of all, thank God I’m still alive!
by Elsa Hahne
Thanks to Jan Ramsey and OffBeat magazine for bestowing me with such a prestigious award. When I received the call, I was completely dumbfounded, and could not understand, “Why me?” Because, unlike so many recipients that came before me, my career just pales in comparison to the outstanding achievements they have accomplished in their careers. I’ve never had million-selling hit recordings; no Grammys; I’ve never toured on the road; never played in any foreign countries; didn’t write any hit songs; no national music awards; never played on any national or international festivals besides the New Orleans Jazz Fest. So why me? You must think I’m gonna die!
But seriously, folks, I’ve really had a blessed career in music, attested by the fact that I’ve never had a day job. I was fortunate enough to support myself by my talent alone. And like I always say, “It ain’t easy in the Big Easy.” I have a lot of people I want to thank tonight, and forgive me if I can’t remember all of you, because 50 years is a long time. First of all, I want to thank my producer, Cyril Vetter, and all the wonderful people at Vetter Communications: his wife, Tuttie, his daughter, Gabrielle, and all of the people who worked so tirelessly and unselfishly on the Jump Blues project. Cyril, you are a godsend; you came along at the right time and gave me the biggest boost in my career, leaving a legacy behind for generations to come. Deacon John’s Jump Blues wasn’t just about Deacon John; it was about paying tribute to all of the artists, producers, songwriters and musicians from New Orleans who made such an enormous contribution to the indigenous culture we are all so proud of and love so dearly.
Thanks to all of the many wonderful musicians, artists, my colleagues and people in this community who have given me the unwavering support through the years… for without that support there would be no Deacon John.
Thank you to Stanley Chaisson, for without him, I wouldn’t have “Many Rivers to Cross,” nor my degree in business.
A special thanks to some of my most ardent supporters through the years: my best friend and mentor, George Davis, Jr.; Allen Toussaint; Dave Bartholomew; Wardell Quezergue; Earl Palmer; Ellis Marsalis; Edward “Kidd” Jordan; Alvin Batiste; Harold Battiste; Mitch Landrieu; Quint Davis; Dr. John; Bunchy Johnson; Eddie Bo; Snooks Eaglin; Zigaboo Modeliste, Leo Nocentelli and George Porter; George French; James Rivers; Terry De Rouen; Roger Lewis; Porgy Jones; George Green; Earl King; my cousin, Tommy Ridgley; Bobby Marchan; Bobby Love; Isadore Crump; Louis Cottrell; Paul Varisco; A.J. Loria; the Aubrey Twins; the Neville Brothers; the Batiste Brothers; “my brother from another mother,” Luther Kent; my brother, Charles Moore; my niece, Kathleen Moore; and all of the musicians of the current Deacon John & the Ivories, and the Deacon John & the Ivories alumni; Johnny Palazzotto; Mike Shepherd; Juanita Brooks; Germaine Bazzle; Dorothy Labostrie; Gerri Hall; Lady BJ; Sadie Blake; Irma Thomas; Jimmy Anselmo; Larry McKinley; Bill Johnston; Cosimo Matassa; Tracy Knight; Winston Purvis, Russ Herman, Lee Madere and Caecilie Schwartz; Dr. Neil Baum, Dr. Leonard Glade, Dr. Samuel Zurik, Dr. Richard Spector and Dr. Mayer Heiman; my fellow choirboys, Mike Gourrier, Numa Woods, David Derokey and Sidney Barthelemy; David Freedman and WWOZ radio; Peggy Scott Laborde and WYES-TV; Dooky Chase; Frank Pania and the Dew Drop Inn; Tipitina’s; Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club; Dream Palace, Snug Harbor; my alma maters, Corpus Christi boys choir, St. Augustine High School and Southern University New Orleans; and very importantly, the New Orleans Musicians Union, of which I’ve been a proud member since 1959.
I only wish my biggest fan and supporter—my mother (I have no stepmother)—could be here today, but I know her spirit permeates this room. God bless her, my father and my twelve brothers and sisters, who gave me the love, courage and support to nurture this God-given talent to succeed in the most difficult profession of all, arts and entertainment. Thanks for the support of my godmother, Amelia Hendricks, who turned 100 today. Thanks to my grandparents, John and Viola Boudreaux, and Frank and Marie Moore. Also, I have to thank the rock in my life, my daughter, Lisa, and my huge network of family and friends, whom I could always count on to stand by me. If only my son, Keith Patrick Moore, could be here to share this moment with me.
And finally, on a more humorous note, I wish to remind all of you aspiring musicians and artists of the three main ingredients for success in show business: You have to keep your nose brown, your teeths white, and yo lips shiny!
Thank you so very completely, and may God bless you all.”
