The trumpet and keyboard player with the platinum-selling Revivalists is also a veteran of Rotary Downs and Big Rock Candy Mountain. The hard-touring Revivalists released their 5th studio album, “Pour It Out Into the Night,” last summer, and have spent the year making TV appearances, playing festivals, and selling out concert halls. Proving you’re never done paying dues in the music biz, Michael takes a break from his TikTok obligations to sit in with the Troubled Men. Topics include Krewe du Vi...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 266
As the beloved singer, songwriter, and guitarist releases the single “Love Bomb” in anticipation of her album “High Tide,” the former rodeo rider returns for a Part 2. It’s been a whirlwind year that included epic recording sessions at Dockside Studio, a devastating shoulder injury, and a music community-wide “Lynnefit” tribute show. With her body and spirit on the mend, Lynn is ready to spread the healing, but first drops in for a couple of rounds with the Troubled Men. Those leftover pain pill...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 265
The artist and cultural documentarian behind the NOLA ’Nacular gallery, focusing on New Orleans vernacular culture, is also the mastermind of Turducken Productions. Through Turducken he presented over 500 indie rock shows, 400 of which were held at the beloved Mermaid Lounge. Anthony is a tireless champion of the city’s unique character. Indulging his affinity for the flawed, he drops in on the Troubled Men for a meeting of the minds. Topics include a First Lady, state troopers, a tourist murder...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 264
The Americana singer-songwriter, software developer, and former TV executive at Bravo/AMC has accomplished enough to fill several lifetimes. After riding the cable television explosion through the ‘90s, he dropped out to study Buddhism with master Thich Nhat Hanh and later spearheaded Occupy Wall Street following the 2008 financial meltdown. Celebrating the release of his latest record, “Bayou St. John,” Gregg drops in to shine his lightness of being on the Troubled Men as they attempt to outrun...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 263
The sax, clarinet, and flute master is a veteran of the Al Belletto Big Band, the CAC Jazz Orchestra, and the Fairmont/Roosevelt Hotel’s swanky Blue Room supper club, where he backed up national acts including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Natalie Cole. He currently plays with a variety of headliners such as the Temptations and the O’Jays. Manny comes in coughing like Patient Zero, and while he only makes it to the midway point, René and Ray bring this maiden show of the year safely into ha...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 262
René and Manny return to their roots as they hunker down at the Christmas Club Lounge to discuss good times and air grievances (and open listener gifts) in this final show of the year. Topics include a first guest, the Lynn Drury benefit, Doug Belote, Glenn Hartman, a Keith Duncan mural, the 2024 election, political violence, a tuna sandwich, Grey Poupon, empty nest Xmas plans, vacation photos, a Chinese dinner, a birthday party, vegan chili, a blown engine, car shopping, a Vatican crime, a syna...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 261
The guitarist and bandleader on all of Conan O’Brien’s TV shows has spent his career working with artists including Laura Nyro, John Sebastian, Al Kooper, Levon Helm, Dion, and Phoebe Snow. Currently with legendary blues scholars Canned Heat, he remains an in-demand session player, arranger, and music director for a wide array of blues, soul, pop, and roots music projects. Confessing a long standing affinity for the gritty side of New Orleans, Jimmy jumps at the chance to dish the dirt with the ...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 260
The globetrotting steel drummer, vocalist, and songwriter learned to play the steel pans during his 3 years in the U.S. Navy Steel Band. His passionate approach led to work with Michael Ray’s Cosmic Krewe, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Charmaine Neville, Kermit Ruffins, and Jon Cleary. Relocating to Denmark, he’s toured extensively throughout Scandinavia, Western Europe, Ukraine, the Baltic, and Russia, where he sold out the prestigious Moscow House concert hall. In his “Black In The USA” performance/lec...
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 259
The venerable jazz and pop singer, pianist, and songwriter began her career at 11 years old, playing trad jazz in Dunc’s Honky Tonks kids band. While a student at Loyola, she landed the Playboy Club gig as the singer in the Al Belletto band. An Epic Records deal brought her to L.A., where she recorded several solo albums and worked as a session vocalist on hits by top-selling acts of the day. Returning to New Orleans, she sang with Astral Project and Woodenhead along with stints as a French Quar...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 258
The artist’s scholarship to the Art Students League of NY led to befriending Salvador Dali, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Roberto Duran; working as a NY Times illustrator, the NY Yankees’ art director, and a Madison Square Garden ringside portrait artist; and touring as a photographer with Weather Report and Jaco Pastorius' Word of Mouth. He’s now completing a book of images and stories from his 50-year career. Tonight Steve takes a breather and joins the Troubled Men for a two-round sparring s...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 257
The owner and manager of the fabled Jimmy’s Music Club grew up in French Quarter bars owned by his former prizefighter father. As a delivery boy, Jimmy knew all the Quarter luminaries, from restaurant maitre’ds to the dancers at the strip clubs. His namesake nightclub served as ground zero for punk rock, R’n’B, and roots music acts. Tonight Jimmy joins the Troubled Men for a stroll through the teenage wasteland. Watch your step. Topics include the Red Rockers’ reunion recap, people who died, Dav...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 256
The bassist and founding member of the legendary Red Rockers/Rat Finks, who recently reunited after 40 years to celebrate the reissue of their breakthrough LP “Condition Red,” has also managed the New York Dolls, Roky Erickson, Paul Westerberg/the Replacements, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones through his Ten Pin Management agency. A busy guy, Darren also operates the POP Emporium vintage store and gallery in Providence, Rhode Island. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men for a look back at the years...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 255
The in-demand Happy Talk drummer, formerly with post-punk favorites Malevitus, has recently joined the cinematic Early Day Miners. Signed to a new record deal, the group is poised to hit the road like a pack of teenagers in support of their new release. Jeff has lived all over the country, so he has friends everywhere. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men, and it’s every man for himself. Topics include Rob Mehler, a new Speaker of the House, local news, a morning show appearance, Eric Paulsen, Jude...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 254
The stand-up comic, writer, director, and co-host of the Seen Partners podcast is well known on the local scene, headlining at the N.O. Comedy Festival, Hell Yes Fest, and the Comedy House. Following her escape from indentured servitude on a Mendocino weed farm, the former Circle Bar bartender stumbled into an improv show which ignited a passion that drives her still. Tonight JQ joins the Troubled Men, and all service is voluntary. Topics include WW3, a gig recap, a change of season, a D.A. carj...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 252
The pianist, vocalist, and long-time owner of the Neutral Ground Coffee House is a veteran cabaret performer, holding court at some of the swankiest rooms in the city for decades. His musical satire and American Songbook shows featuring composers including Henry Mancini, Allan Sherman, and Anthony Newley/Leslie Briccuse always have crowds smiling and toes tapping. Tonight Phil joins the Troubled Men to dance through the minefield of a world gone mad. Topics include an unnamed horror, Texas gigs,...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 252
With the documentary chronicling chess icon Jude Acers, “The Man in the Red Beret,” making the film festival circuit, filmmaker Derek Bridges and Chess Cave founder Baylee Badawy trace Jude’s epic life from orphan to world record holder and chess promo giant. His World Chess Table on Decatur St. is instantly recognizable to locals and tourists, and attracts celebrities like Jamie Foxx to challenge him. Tonight Jude puts the Troubled Men in check. Topics include a film crew, romantic words, the s...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 251
The Casa Borrega founder was among the first wave of spray can fine artists in his hometown of Mexico City following graduation from an elite teachers’ college. Making his way to New Orleans, he wowed Frenchmen St. crowds with his live painting exhibitions, making contacts that landed him shows at the CAC and the Smithsonian Museum in DC, among others. A true renaissance man, Hugo started the restaurant and cultural incubator as an exercise in service and humility. Tonight he joins the Troubled ...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 250
The iconic tuba and bass player with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and creative director of the Hall has led a revitalization of the legendary institution cofounded by his parents in 1961. Growing up in an apartment above the business, he was surrounded by a who’s who of trad jazz giants from an early age, and ran loose on the streets of the French Quarter in all its decadent glory. Tonight Ben joins the Troubled Men for a rescheduled appearance and proves to be worth the wait. Topics include ...
Sep 28, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 249
When a guest goes missing on the streets of New Orleans, René and Manny suspend judgement and forge ahead. Never at a loss for words, the Troubled Men have no problem filling the void. Is it an oversight, a happy accident, or something more sinister? Only time will tell. Topics include a change of season, a new record, a tragic birthday, airlines, a medical procedure, Dave Clements, a new police chief, a murder gap, a carjacking, a political ad, a state funeral, JP Morrell, coupons, public assis...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 248
The beloved washboard master and singer with the Tin Men, the Palmetto Bug Stompers, Washboard Rodeo, and his own blues trio was also a cofounder and namesake of the legendary Chaz Fest, which ran for 11 years as the bohemian 9th Ward alternative to Jazz Fest. With a kit that adds woodblock, coffee cans, and a front desk bell to the traditional washboard, he shines in any musical setting, and always brings a smile to the face of anyone hearing him. Let’s see who’s smiling after Chaz sits in with...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 247
The guitarist, composer, and record producer with Tav Falco’s Panther Burns caught the rock’n’roll bug during the rockabilly revival of his youth in Sicily, where he devoured the records of Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, and the Stray Cats’ Brian Setzer. His passion for music brought him to Rome and ultimately to Memphis. Mario grew up in the shadow of Mount Etna, an active volcano, so he’s comfortable living with danger. Tonight he brings those nerves of steel as he joins René in the ...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 17
The Black Top Records co-founding president, record producer, and A&R director was personal manager for the legendary Gatemouth Brown as well as an assistant district attorney for Orleans Parish. Between releasing over 100 albums of new blues, soul, and r&b, traveling the world with bands, and practicing law, he’s seen enough to fill several lifetimes. Tonight Hammond joins René Coman and guest co-host Dick Deluxe to review the triumphs and heartaches of life in and out of the record biz...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 16
The in-demand tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger with jazz/funk wunderkinder Naughty Professor played his way into the group as a freshman at Loyola. Developing a national following, the band became a hard-touring powerhouse playing over 100 dates a year and releasing a string of LPs and singles featuring collaborators like Ivan Neville, Chali 2na, David Shaw (Revivalists), and Eric Benny Bloom. As a member of the Naughty Horns, he’s recorded and toured with Big Freedia, Galactic, Tank &a...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 246
As a drummer (DiNOLA, Pink Slip), artist manager (dB’s, Gun Club, Richard Hell, Peter Holsapple), tour manager, Monkey Hill Records label head (Cowboy Mouth, the Continental Drifters, the Bluerunners), studio owner (Jimmy Ford Clinic), and club owner (Ford’s Place), he knows every aspect of the music biz from the inside out. Jimmy escaped service in Vietnam to become a soldier for rock’n’roll. Tonight he enters the free-fire zone with the Troubled Men. Topics include 100º in the winter, a naked ...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 245
The illustrious former New Orleans Saints VP, City Council President, Jewish Federation of N.O. CEO, and basketball executive has held a stunning series of positions in the forefront of sports, politics, and community service. He’s witnessed the city’s many ups and downs, and his love for his adopted hometown has never wavered, even as he went elbow-deep in the city’s post-Katrina rebirth. Arnie has lived a life of extraordinary achievements, and they’ve all led inexorably to this summit with th...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 244
The musician, composer, and instigator was instrumental in the formation of bands such as Sex Dog, the RockAByes, the Blue Vipers, Waka Waka, Stanley and the Undesirables, and his own group, Blood & Grits. A pivotal figure in New Orleans underground music, he also played on Richard Hell's "R.I.P." and toured with Hell after that release. Having grown up in the Carrollton neighborhood, Nicky witnessed dice games outside Snake and Jake’s on his way to elementary school. Tonight he returns to t...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 243
The ace drummer/percussionist has worked with artists including Dr. John, Irma Thomas, the Radiators, and Michael Ray’s Cosmic Krewe. Studying under Cuban master percussionists Hector Gallardo and Regino Jimenez, he has spent years exploring a wide range of Afro-Cuban and Caribbean drumming. Michael once traveled to Havana for an initiation into bata drumming which included a ritual hand washing. After his night with the Troubled Men, he’s going to need a shower. Topics include a Lynn Drury tour...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 242
The bassist and bandleader, formerly with Michael Hurtt and his Haunted Hearts, Johnny J and the Hitmen, and Clockwork Elvis, has been living in Stockholm, Sweden for the last few years. While leading his own Du Mondes band and doing stained glass restoration keeps him busy, he still gets homesick for New Orleans. Tonight John checks in from his Safehouse for a booster shot from the Troubled Men. Topics include deserted streets, heat exhaustion, yard work, Fathers Day, Upstate NY gigs, Mayor Can...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 241
The charismatic guitar player, singer, and former Mermaid Lounge co-owner has lived on the Frenchmen St. crossroads overlooking Cafe Brasil/Favela Chic for more than two decades, and witnessed the street’s evolution from a sleepy locals-only club scene to a major live music corridor. Having played there with Tribe Nunzio, Banda Logun, Second Lion, Ritmo Calypso, and Alabama Slim, he knows the area inside and out. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men to report from the trenches. A party of Juggalett...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 240
The singer, guitar player, and songwriter grew up touring with her blues harmonica legend father, Charlie Musselwhite, at clubs and festivals around the world. Though raised in the San Francisco Bay Area blues hotbed, she didn’t see a place for herself in the music until she got turned on to the Delta sound. Now in New Orleans, she’s a woman on a mission, playing and recording with guitar virtuoso Jimmy Robinson as well as her Cosmic Gentlemen band. Tonight Layla pays her dues, as she sits in wi...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 239
