SUMMER/FALL 2006 Summer was a blast. I got to do a Super Summer camp in Salina, KS with Matt Christenot for six weeks. Also, I got to reconnect with my friends in Big Daddy Weave. I played the Celebrate Freedom Festival with them in Dallas while their regular drummer Jeff Jones was on vacation. It was amazing playing for over 150,000 people!! An experience I won't forget. And furthermore, I got to work with Dan Hannon again (King Konga) when he produced and engineered 5 of Matt Christenot's new songs for his upcoming CD. Sounds amazing. Will be out by Jan '07.

Fall has been full of some nice surprises. In addition to my regular local gigs, I did a show with Chris Thomas King (O Brother Where Art Thou, Ray) We did two shows together at 307 Club in Lafayette. It looks like we'll will be doing some things in the future as well. I also just got out of the studio with Harmonica Red. His new album should be released early next year. This guy is a serious harp player!!

SPRING 2006 It's been a busy Spring. I have really enjoyed my time in Hattiesburg getting reaquainted with old music buddies and meeting new ones. I was fortunate enough to get to work with Andy Narell again. What an amazing performer and song writer. We performed at The Walnut Grill to standing room only audience! Andy came in for a whole week to work and perform with the USM steel pan orchestra (SOMISPO) I wasn't able to attend the concert but I went to reheasal and all I can say is WOW!! As a bonus to the week Andy had a recording session with his drummer Mark Walker and let a few of us sit in on the session. I had heard Mark's work with the Carribean Jazz Project, but seeing him work up close just blew me away. He is the consumate professional and a pleasure to be around. He ended the long day with a clinic at USM.

Another big event in March was the Ricky Scaggs concert at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. He performed with the USM Symphony orchestra to a sold out house. The show was spectacular and well received. He and his group were really cool to work with.

I've also put my own band together called Mojo Funk. I've always been inspired by the music of New Orleans and decided it would be a cool thing for Hattiesburg. We cover some Meters stuff, but we are really concentrating on orignals for an upcoming CD. If you like Galactic, Garage a Tois, or Papa Grows Funk, you'll dig us. Line up is Daryl Havard (of Afro Man) on stick bass. You have to see him play this thing to believe it. Steve Rayburn on guitar, and Joe Rapetti on B3. It's some fun stuff. We will be performing at the USM percussion camp in June. I'll be hitting you guys with some more info soon. Later!!