Troubled Men Podcast

The veteran drummer, pianist, and composer started his career playing Tyler’s Beer Garden with the James Rivers Movement. He spent years in NYC slinging bonds on Wall Street by day and making the downtown jazz scene by night. In spite of his family’s nearly 200-year history in New Orleans, Charlie had never been inside Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge. Guess he was just waiting for an invitation from the Troubled Men. Topics include Hall and Oates, Richard Lewis RIP, Don Rickles sitcoms, Jimmy Maxwell RIP, older musicians, society bands, a tall Elvis, “Priscilla,” “Silence of the Lambs,” Super Tuesday, a rematch, Sinead O’Connor, Ray Stevens, ChazFest resurrected, the Remaining Geraniums, new crime bills, concealed carry, execution methods, Isidore Newman School, a first drum set, Mike Guma, David Torkanowsky, Nicky Sanzenbach, Hank Mackie, Soul Jazz, New England Conservatory, Gunther Schuller, Bob Moses, Al Vega, bond daddies, Bond girls, the market crash

The former Times-Picayune and Gambit writer has spent her career covering arts and culture in New Orleans and beyond. As the Ponderosa Stomp Program Director, she helped showcase legendary figures of rock’n’roll for contemporary audiences. Currently writing the definitive book on beloved “Vic 'n Nat’ly” cartoonist and artist Bunny Matthews, along with TMP guest and co-author Michael Tisserand, Alison journeys south of Canal St. to hash it all out with the Troubled Men. Topics include John Papa Gros gigs, a hippie festival, a special offer, a special request, an opossum seizure, a Michael Deas TV feature, “Priscilla,” an Elvis impression, the Memphis Mafia, the Carville Leprosarium, Hansen’s disease, orthopedic inventions, an NYC childhood, feral kids, pre-Giuliani times, the Times Square changeover, the Dalton School, Jeffrey Epstein, NYU, Tulane, a first writing job, “Where Y’At,” the digital demonetization, typesetting competitions, newspaper

The architect, screenwriter, and college professor has always followed his instincts. Whether designing high-rise hotels, writing a film with Dwight Yoakam, or producing the decorated series “Architecture School” about post-Katrina residential rebuilding, he brings an enthusiasm that is infectious. Tonight Stan joins the Troubled Men. Let’s see who infects whom. Topics include a party recap, the Mackel twins, a switcheroo, a tax assessment win, “The Savage Bees,” a sauna infraction, the “We Are the World” doc, Bob Dylan, a camera man, Todd Erlandson, a Guantanamo birth, pre-Castro Cuba, the Pavys, Cajun hydrology, shop class, drafting, LSU, grad school, the 1984 World’s Fair, the Sugar House, the Space Shuttle, film school, “Blood Simple,” USC, the Sunset Strip, an earthquake, “Painted Hero,” rodeos, Billy Bob Thornton, an expanding script, “South of Heaven, West of Hell,” Byron Mouton, favorite films, Abel Ferrara, the curren

The stars align on the triple witching day of Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day, and Snake and Jake’s 30th Birthday celebration as the Troubled Men assemble among the penitents and partygoers. Luminaries drop in for cameos, and bar owner Dave Clements offers insights on the origins of the Christmas Club Lounge and the future of the Clempire. Topics include Mardi Gras Day, bicycle accidents, bad posture, trenchcoats, a Lundi Gras brunch, a parade injury, Jose Torres Tama, Michael Deas, dolls and Dali, Chris Lane, Robert Rothman, the Super Bowl, a mass shooting, Raiders fans, TV commercials, RFK Jr., Jesus ads, Jodie Foster, “True Detective,” a sex scene, survey results, a picnic, a boyfriend, Mojo Nixon RIP, Lent, a Bukowski quote, a jockey, Anthony Bourdain, In & Out Burger, “The King of Comedy,” Jerry Lewis, “After Hours,” a film protest, Sandra Bernhard, a bar name, Neutral Ground Coffee House, partners, Macon Fry, celebrity sightings, Tatum O’Neil, Kei

The guitar player, songwriter, record producer, and cofounder of Lafayette swamp pop supergroup Lil’ Band O' Gold has spent the last years recording and touring with the legendary singer and “Sweet Dreams” composer Tommy McLain. Their album “I Ran Down Every Dream,” cowritten with Elvis Costello, has led them to national TV appearances and prestigious concert halls around the world. With his role in the new “Road House” movie remake coming out, CC drags in his hilarious bass player and master luthier Jason Burns plus Voodoo Fest founder, Chickie Wah Wah co-owner, and former NFL Safety Steve Rehage for a tag team throwdown. It’s the beginning of Lent, and as always, the Troubled Men are simply giving up. Topics include a father’s advice, free thinkers, a Clash Day recap, Foghorn Leghorn, a key change, a copyright issue, parades, saving spots, beads, a flood, a comeback record, a senior center, the Canal Street bus stop strip club, a light show, “Kille

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 Vieux, a new float idea, a hair fetish, DBA, an SNL football sketch, a barking dog, Super Bowl/Super Blow weekend, “Black Sunday,” Pat Cronin RIP, Jesse Jane RIP, parade enforcement, etiquette, saving spots, “The King of Comedy,” voiceover recording, RumpleSTEELskin, a dive bar, house parties, family, a cultural Catholic, a choir baby, career advice, Loyola, Johnny Vidacovich, a double major, the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, Fay Wray, starting bands, major record labels, DIY, show pr

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 pills might come in handy. Topics include a hard freeze, bubble wrap, Elvis Costello with Charlie Sexton, Murphy “Fluffy” Hines RIP, a Lucinda Williams show, awards season, the Oscars, “Poor Things,” a smoking marathon runner, Yazoo City, a horse trainer, 4-H, the Haik family, bitter advice, a tragic event, a move to New Orleans, a guitar teacher, learning on the gig, self-editing, early recordings, Bernard Productions, isolation, NOLAmeriana music, label in

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, a super majority, Bobby Jindal, Outback Steakhouse, a blood test, Carnival season, Houston, Powerball, Dave Clements, a barfly, Joe Ashler, Prince Mongo, Jon Langford, Jim Sherraden, Memphis, the Antenna Club, a federal crime, a name change, Tulane grad school, WTUL, a Nirvana cover, becoming program director, early show promotions, AGB, listening rooms, AARP, the Geraniums, Jeff Treffinger, a live record, the “NOFI” CD, vinyl fetishists, the year of the rat, art actions, Goner Fest, Bug Fest,

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 the darkness. Topics include New Year blues, an eye-opener, Twelfth Night, a Death Wish list, Carnival season, Tommy Smothers RIP, Shecky Green RIP, Les McCann RIP, football bowl games, the Manning family, the Barbra Streisand book, Libby, fireworks on the bayou, a good landlord, Chicago, New Jersey, a bad stretch of road, a musician father, a post-mortem co-write, a spunky mother, a Catholic family, teenage bands, Jon Stewart, C-SPAN, Lifetime TV, an epiphany at Cannes, a universal song, a trip to V

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 harbor. Topics include a lozenge solo, a head cold, a theme dinner, a Chinese restaurant, Peking duck, a holiday light tour, “Maestro,” a fresh cigarette, the Streisand book, short-term rentals, a recycling scam, a Lafayette native, school band, Lewis Jewett, a Texas accent, Loyola College of Music, the Frankie Mann orchestra, Rick Trolsen, Carnival balls, the musicians’ union, a sea change, Jim Stafford, J.R. Miller, the Chuck Easterling rehearsal band, Tony Klatka, Buddy Rich, Dick

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 synagogue plot, listener gifts, the Hollywood Park racetrack, Mickey Rooney, Jack Klugman, Farrah Fawcett, the Butthole Surfers, Gibby Haynes, Kramer, Bongwater, Gasa Gasa closing, the new sobriety, the year in review, a person of the year, Jodie Foster, a Hollywood story, a bedbug outbreak, the Paris Olympics, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro Music: "Wet Bar" and "The Theme from 'The Summer of '42'" from "Make It Stop! The Most of Ross Johnson" by Ross Johnson Support

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 Troubled Men on their home turf. Topics include Chanukah, a community menorah lighting, a dead cat, pet owners, dog bars, a new library card, the new Barbra Streisand book, “Logan’s Run,” Farrah Fawcett, Shane MacGowan song covers, Madonna’s “Sex” audio book, Jellybean Benitez, Phil Colombatto, Pete Sears, Ivan Neville, post “Conan” life, Fito De la Parra, Dale Spalding, Paterson, a difficult birth, an immigrant family, the Vivino Brothers dance team, switchin

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/lecture presentations, he shares his childhood experiences with students. Tonight Gregory jumps on the line with the Troubled Men from their respective safe houses, as they search the void for glimmers of light in the darkness. Topics include the Loose Cattle Xmas Wrecktacular, a flood event, a cover photo, Shane MacGowan RIP, the Netherlands, New Orleans global impact, a musical family, early influences, steel drum origins, Ellie Mannette, the steel band on tour, meeting locals, Nicky Sanzenbach,

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 Quarter pianist. Tonight Angelle joins the Troubled Men to conjure some ghosts from the past. Topics include a holiday commercial, a Thanksgiving orgy, leftover booze, a TV dinner ploy, a Drew Brees injury, a Loose Cattle Offbeat cover, RIP Fingers Taylor, RIP Jean Knight, a dead mailman, a Carrollton childhood, a Loyola scholarship, Charlie Brent, Johnny Vidacovich, Frank Puzzullo, Chispa Rouselle, Gabe Kaplan, the Playboy mansion, Hugh Hefner, Gino’s Backroom, Billy Gregory, Lou & Charlie’s, Earl Tu

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 session, and everybody is taking a dive. Topics include a change of season, Iguanas gigs, a garbage popcorn obsession, terror on the Blues Highway, missing pie, the Rolling Stones at Jazz Fest, AARP, Stones vs. Beach Boys, Dick Ebersol vs. Roone Arledge, Chet Forte, degenerate gamblers, a burn ban, a gay ban, a parking lot DUI, a spy pilot father, childhood drawing, radio music, Birmingham musicians, teenage bands, Wyoming, drawing Jimmy Stewart, the Neville Brothers, Michael P. Smith, Mardi Gras India

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, Dave Turgeon/Dee Slut, a string of drummers, slam dancing, an injury, Jeff Landry’s transition team, Trump’s enemies list, a gun campaign, a meth bust, handicapped parking, “Now and Then,” Yoko, a hide and seek winner, anti-Italian prejudice, a boxer father, the Little Blue Room, the Mardi Gras Lounge, Jimmy King, the French Quarter in the 1950s, King’s Barbecue, a delivery boy, a waitress mother, a Vietnam-era naval tour, Papa Joe’s, Freddy Fender, Little

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 in the trenches of the teenage underground. Topics include the Clempire, Cranston Clements, Wheel of Fortune, O.J., Jeopardy, Match Game, Halloween, the sheriff, O.P.P., Disneyland, Dave Clements, a house party, a car crash, Jeff Greenberg, Aurora Country Club, David Kinch, punk origins, the Normals, opening slots, L.A. connections, the War Zone, Jed’s, Jimmy’s, the Willow Inn, a name change, a California relocation, a record deal, radio play, community, recovered master tapes, Bryan Barberot,

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 Acers, a Bourbon St. gig, the new police chief, a booze heist, an unhinged pilot, ‘shrooms, Manny’s birthday, socializing at the grocery, Bricolage school, Rob Cambre, school choices, Rockford, Cheap Trick, a first concert, a boy scout, a first drum kit, school band, a mullet, Nirvana, indie rock, Madison, Chicago, the Motion, L.A., Los Feliz, Alvarado St., Caesar’s Sinai, a car accident, a new baby, parental leave, Tallahassee, moving to New Orleans, Tiana Hux, Carlo Nuccio, a mystery label, p

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. carjacking, a disgraced mayoral staffer, “The Fall Guy,” “The Stuntman,” Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, a state election, “Barbie,” Jeff Landry, crack, Suzanne Somers RIP, Piper Laurie RIP, “Carrie,” Others’ Day, Nicky Sanzenbach RIP, a birthday, child care, carpooling, Grand Rapids, musician parents, San Francisco, the Circle Bar, an odd man out, the groupie years, showbiz, “Murder Mountain,” open mics, listening, lockdown, a creative explosion, sobriety, the

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, the saltwater wedge retreat, a new cover booster, a Vanna White substitute, Marylou Retten, the Neptune Society, Denise Charbonnet, Tony Green, an altar boy, St Rita school, attending Sacred Heart, a bookie father, a first guitar, songwriting for Popeye & Pals, Jack Ruby, teaching school, a first piano, the Pontchartrain Hotel, an unruly patron, Chris Champagne, the Fairgrounds, AI, CIs, MREs, CYO dances, St. Christopher, girls volleyball, N.O. dysfunction, Justin Timberlake, Terry Flettrich, local personalities,