If you have never been to Mid-City Rock-n-Bowl , you don't know what you're missing. It's a bowling alley and bar. Untill recently, it was all in one area upstairs. Now they have also taken over the ground floor space  beneath the bowling alley/bar (which is where the CD release party was held). Rock-n-Bowl is located in a small shopping center on the corner of Carrolton and Tulane in New Orleans. If you get a chance you should check it out. I couldn't imagine a better place for a CD Release Party.

I arrived at Rock-n-Bowl about an hour before the scheduled starting time. The "roadies" were setting up the band equipment, while the performers congregated around a table set up especially for them. I drifted over to the table a started up a conversation with Tab Benoit. We chatted over a drink and talked about Tab's recent tour of Europe (he especially liked France). I got him to autograph a copy of his CD Cover and proceded to move about the table getting autographs and chatting with all the other performers like we were old friends. It was Great!............. Then it was time to rock!!!

Tab was the first to hit the stage with, "Keep on Movin", a tune from the CD. The crowd immediately came alive and did not have to be prompted to keep movin'. After a couple more tunes, Tab called Raful Neal to the stage to accompany him on "Garbage Man". I was getting so involved with the music I almost forgot to take pictures. Being a harmonica player myself, I was especially attentive while Raful was blowing his heart out up there on that stage.

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At about 11:30, everyone took a break for about a half an hour, which gave me a chance to do a little more shmoozin' with the musicians.  I had an old antique guitar in my car, just in case I would get this chance, So I darted out to my car and brought the old thing in. Each one of the performers were glad to sign it for me. I was elated! I'm going to try to get more musicians to sign it as time goes on ( that will probably turn into another story )............ break is over..................... Tab takes the stage alone with his box guitar and does a soulful rendition of "Moon Comin' Over the Hill". Then he called Tabby Thomas and Jumpin' Johnny Sansonne up to join him in a few tunes.

That night was really an experience I'll never forget. Sharing it with you sort of consumates the whole thing. If you have any similar experiences, or if you know of any other blues happenings in the New Orleans area, feel free to email them to me. We may want to put them on "the net".

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