The self-proclaimed Jew of Oklahoma and founding bassist with the Bad Livers and Killbilly recently cracked the Billboard Bluegrass chart with his solo release “The Triumph of Assimilation.” It’s a Judeo-Americana meditation on the present, with a view of the past and a cautiously hopeful eye to the future. Mark’s a master of slap upright bass and its use in rockabilly, swing, klezmer, and the conjunto style he played on accordion great Santiago Jimenez Jr.’s Grammy-nominated records. Tonight he...
Jul 15, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 163
The award-winning journalist and author of “Krazy: George Herriman, A Life in Black and White,” returns with his newest book, “My Father When Young.” It’s a collection of recently discovered mid-century photos taken by his father as a young man in post-war Europe, his Indiana home, and New Orleans during Mardi Gras. A beautiful Kodachrome time capsule, the book is a window into a life before domesticity and responsibility took over. Michael joins the Troubled Men as they enjoy the view. Topics i...
Jul 08, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 162
He’s a Grammy-winning songwriter, singer, guitar player, record producer, and founding member of the legendary Blasters, who burst onto the early L.A. punk scene with a powerhouse mix of rockabilly, blues, country, and r’n’b. Major label records and worldwide touring followed. With teenage mentors like Big Joe Turner and T-Bone Walker, and a stellar career of solo recordings and top-tier collaborators, Dave has probably seen every scoundrel west of the Pecos. He spots the Troubled Men a mile awa...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 161
The outstanding violinist and singer with Loose Cattle, whose new record, “Heavy Lifting” was just released, comes to New Orleans by way of a Moscow birth and a Georgia upbringing. Extensive classical training underlies his mastery of the instrument, but his love of the American roots canon keeps Rurik in the nightclubs and on festival stages with a Who’s Who of regional and national acts. The Troubled Men are all vaxxed up, so they return to in-person podcasting, but with this kind of exposure,...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 160
The original drummer with Tav Falco’s Panther Burns, he had already appeared on Alex Chilton’s “Like Flies on Sherbert” performing “Baron of Love” and cemented his place in Southern fringe folklore. His memoir, ”Baron of Love: Moral Giant,” chronicles the long, strange trip, while his latest band, TURNT, with fresh offerings like “Methadone Takeout Party,” keeps the toes tapping and the tongues wagging. Treat yourself to a taste before this stuff coagulates. Topics include the heat, a geriatric ...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 159
The Commander Cody cofounder burst into the Top 10 playing the hot guitar on “Hot Rod Lincoln.” Grammy nominations and collaborations with Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, and Gene Vincent followed in a celebrated career spanning over 50 years. As a teenager he hitchhiked to see Dylan debut “Mr. Tambourine Man” at the ’64 Newport Folk Festival, then returned in ’65 to witness Bob “go electric.” At Ann Arbor High he played the talent show opposite classmate Jim Osterberg (Iggy Pop). Bill is a master of...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 158
The pioneering transgender singer, composer, writer, and activist’s band RZA was among the earliest acts on the New Orleans punk rock scene, and his Pop Combo fine-tuned the melodic, angular approach with a fresh lineup. Following a move to NYC, he led several other successful bands including Jenifer Convertible, Tenterhooks, and Minor Planets. His latest single, “Quarantine,” was recorded in New Orleans and NYC and benefits the House of Tulip. After a lifetime navigating the challenges of being...
May 28, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 157
The virtuoso trombonist, arranger, and cofounder of Bonerama and Mulebone has also recorded with a laundry list of stars, including Sheryl Crow, Maceo Parker, R.E.M., and Tori Amos. Having cut his teeth in the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band, he’s more recently served as an arranger/producer with his own Levee Horns. These productions have included concerts for Blackbird Presents such as the Last Waltz 40 tour, Mavis Staples, Merle Haggard, and Dr John, and featured the legendary Don Was as musical d...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 156
The songwriter, piano, accordion, and bass player is also the entertainment manager for the French Quarter Festival. His years of busking with Jeremy Lyons and club dates with his own bands have given him an intimate knowledge of the New Orleans music scene that proves invaluable in booking the world’s largest showcase of Louisiana music talent. His humanity and diligence have made him a universally loved figure. Tonight he presents a healthy counterbalance to the Troubled Men. Topics include a ...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 27 min
The critically-acclaimed Americana singer and bass player was a favorite of legendary producer Jim Dickinson, who hired her for his band and helmed her breakthrough solo record, “Anchors and Anvils.” Six other excellent solo releases, in addition to collaborative projects Motel Mirrors, and The Wandering and Sisters of the Strawberry Moon, with N. Miss. Allstar Luther Dickinson, round out her body of work. As former guest Will Sexton’s musical partner and better half, Amy knew what she was in fo...
May 07, 2021•1 hr 25 min
The mastermind behind the Soul Brass Band and Smoker’s World is a percussionist, composer, actor, and MC, with mentors such as Ellis Marsalis and Shannon Powell. From his 20 years with Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers as drummer and de facto tour manager, to the multiple bands he’s founded and continues to lead, to his critically-acclaimed solo releases, Derrick has no shortage of energy, drive and wry humor. The Troubled Men welcome his positive influence. Hopefully some of it rubs off. Topi...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 24 min
The Cowboy Mouth guitarist and singer started as the frontman of the Rat Finks turned Red Rockers, in the thick of the New Orleans punk scene. Hit singles (“China,” “Good as Gold”), MTV success, and exhaustive touring with U2, the Go-Go’s, and Joan Jett followed. John is obviously a kind and patient soul. That should come in handy with the Troubled Men. Topics include a police visit, the mayor’s race, a 2nd dose, flaka, safe at home, a moose issue, a missing guest, a cumbia trio, life on the run...
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 152
The record producer and Los Lobos saxophonist reflects on his stellar career, including his early days with seminal L.A. groups like the Blasters, the Flesh Eaters, Top Jimmy, and the Plugz. He was at ground zero for the 70s/80s punk-roots explosion, and he’s produced more cool records than you can shake a stick at. Steve’s seen a lot and isn’t afraid to talk about it. Tonight the Troubled Men are all ears. Topics include a first dose, a bad reaction, a memorial, a first Grammy, the road to L.A....
Apr 16, 2021•1 hr 27 min
By the time the North Mississippi Allstars guitarist and singer started playing with Hill Country masters R.L. Burnside and Othar Turner, he’d already received a firm grounding in roots music at the knee of his record producer and piano player father, Jim Dickinson (Big Star, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan). Luther’s traveled the world spreading the blues rock gospel, but after growing up in the Memphis mayhem of the Mudboy & the Neutrons orbit, the Troubled Men Podcast should feel like a return to th...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 150
The bassist and singer is a founding member of That Dog, the Rentals, and the Haden Triplets and a featured collaborator with Weezer, Beck, and Todd Rundgren. As the child of jazz great, bassist Charlie Haden, she and her siblings grew up immersed in music. The forthcoming album “[Simon and The Astronauts featuring Rachel Haden](https://www.ringrecords.org/?fbclid=IwAR0nI4eqvgjcNIYLDI1Y3sD-LilYeGaboioejYaaJ2G942nIUudBnQEtIzA)" is the latest to spotlight her pure vocal tone and sympathetic musica...
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 149
The frontman for Stanley & the Undesirables led the legendary punk-country outfit that included, at times, George “the Max” Reinecke, Nicky Sanzenbach, Becky Kury, Alex Chilton, Clark Vreeland, and Pete LeBon. A lifelong Chilton friend and protege, Stanley has stalked the golden Memphis-New Orleans-Pensacola triangle for decades and knows where all the bodies are buried. Tune in as he tells some tales and makes his peace with the Troubled Nation and the world. Topics include an anniversary, ...
Mar 26, 2021•1 hr 19 min
The Grammy-winning trombonist, composer, producer, educator and member of the mighty Marsalis family along with father Ellis and brothers Branford, Wynton, and Jason joins the Troubled Men for a lively discussion of topics from the sublime to the ridiculous. A veteran of the Art Blakey, Ray Charles, Max Roach, and Elvin Jones bands, he currently leads his own Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Delfeayo manages to keep his cool even while those around him are losing theirs. Topics include art gallery opening...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr 17 min
The notorious drummer and songwriter’s resume includes Tori Amos, Marianne Faithfull, Pat McLaughlin, and Dr. John. Carlo returns by popular demand to tell the epic tale of the Continental Drifters’ cross-country trek from L.A. to New Orleans and back that started it all. With Susan Cowsill, Vicki Peterson, Mark Walton, Gary Eaton, and Dave Catching on board, the story is full of all the thrills and chills you’d expect. Also, Carlo. Lots of Carlo. Troubled? Oh yeah! Topics include a health scare...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 31 min
The G. Love & Special Sauce drummer discovered singer and guitarist G. Love in an empty Irish bar in his hometown of Boston. As a duo expanding to a trio, the hip hop/blues group hit with “Cold Beverage” on their first release, and it’s been a wild ride of world tours, records, and TV ever since. A New Orleans residency leading rock steady group 007 and Nashville session work with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys round out his stellar resume. Jeffrey currently hosts the weekly Atomic Cocktail ...
Mar 04, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Widely considered one of the top harmonica players in the world, the singer and songwriter has been making records, winning awards, and thrilling audiences since he was a teenager. Ricci spent time studying and playing with blues legends like James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Winter, R.L. Burnside, and Howard Levy, and would come to be accepted by them as a peer. When it comes to hard living, Jason checks a lot of boxes: drugs, prison, and sexual confusion, to name a few. Now he can add ...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 144
The Bangles founding guitarist, songwriter, and singer has had an amazing career that includes work with the Americana supergroup the Continental Drifters, her duo with Susan Cowsill, the Psycho Sisters, and Action Skulls with husband John Cowsill and Bill Mumy. Tonight Vicki takes her chances with the Troubled Men. Topics include a Super Blow recap, Mardi Gras, house floats, an earthquake, a first guitar, a Recycler ad, early Bangs shows, the Paisley Underground, touring, MTV, Prince, fans, the...
Feb 18, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 143
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s founding baritone sax player logged years playing with Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, and Deacon John and the Ivories before the formation of the groundbreaking group. He’s spent over 40 years with the Dozen since they revolutionized the genre by adding bebop, pop, and the avant garde to the traditional second-line repertoire and helped spread New Orleans brass band music around the globe. Roger’s known as the Dirty Old Man. He should fit right in with the Troubled Men. T...
Feb 12, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 142
The radio personality, satirist, comedian, and author has been illuminating local politics and culture for decades. After cutting his teeth on the national slam poetry scene, he’s gone on to write and produce 15 one-man shows and authored “The Y’at Dictionary” and “Secret New Orleans,” addressing fringe elements of local dialect and history. His latest book on the NFL, “The Most Important League in the World,” inspired by his childhood as the son of an NFL lineman, covers a wide swath of the odd...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 141
The colorful drummer, composer, and arranger switches styles as easily as he changes crop-tops. His two new albums under the Context Killer and Diamond Kinkade monikers add live-looping avant funk and ambient piano and synth soundscapes to the straight-ahead jazz and funk he’s been known for. Simon has always liked to stretch the boundaries of musical forms and identity. If things get kinky, that’s fine with him. After his visit with the Troubled Men, he should feel more emboldened than ever. To...
Jan 28, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 140
The James Beard Award-winning superstar chef and owner of Bayona, Mondo, and Rosedale restaurants has always followed her heart. Her international navy brat childhood and years as a free-spirited world traveler informed her adventurous palette and fearless creativity. Tonight Susan dishes with the Troubled Men and addresses some culinary queries from the Nation. One bite and you’ll know she’s got good taste. Topics include the coup attempt aftermath, viral predictions, a new “Jeopardy” host, a B...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 139
The bari and tenor sax player with the legendary band Morphine and now Vapors of Morphine carries on the legacy of the groundbreaking “low rock” trio with a new record, “Fear and Fantasy,” coming out this year. He joins the Troubled Men to catch up on the 20 years since the passing of visionary frontman, Mark Sandman. Tune in to hear just how low they can go. Topics include the Capitol attack, MAGA riot fashion, Mike Love, a virtual greeting card, the Rouse’s boycott, Alex Trebek trivia, a first...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 138
From his work with the Continental Drifters, the Cowsills, and Terrance Simien to his playing with John Papa Gros, Grayson Capps, and the Covered in Vinyl series he founded with wife Susan Cowsill, the Opelousas native has a groovy, joyous approach to the drums that always shines through. While the classical training and pro-cycling career may come as a surprise, Russ’s purity of spirit and eternally youthful optimism are readily apparent. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men as a much needed mood ...
Jan 07, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 137
The Grammy-nominated Zydeco accordion player and singer comes from a distinguished family of Creole musicians who played with everyone from Clifton Chenier and Rockin’ Dopsie to Louis Armstrong and Bunk Johnson. Corey celebrates the release of his 14th album on Lost Bayou Rambler Louis Michot’s Nouveau Electric Records. He pays tribute to his Black Creole roots with several songs sung in the Kouri-Vini dialect his family has spoken for generations. His ancestors would be proud of his commitment ...
Dec 31, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 136
His resume includes the Neville Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones, and Keith Richard’s X-Pensive Winos. The keyboard player, singer, and songwriter grew up as r’n’b royalty playing in the Neville Brothers with his father Aaron and his uncles, Art, Charles, and Cyril. Years of solo records and high-profile session work led to ultimate redemption from the pitfalls of rock’n’roll indulgence. His powerhouse band Dumpstaphunk is poised for a 2021 release of their new record. Tonight he joins...
Dec 24, 2020•1 hr 27 min
The veteran trombone player discusses the recent New Orleans Nightcrawlers’ Grammy nomination for “Atmosphere,” as well as his years with Bonerama, the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band, and his cameo appearance on “The Simpsons.” His love of traditional jazz led him from hanging out at Preservation Hall as a teen, to co-founding the Storyville Stompers Brass Band, and eventually joining the Pres. Hall band. After 40 years in the music biz and over 150 recording credits, the Grammy nod is a sweet rewar...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 134
