10 YEARS LATER by NOLA Nights Magazine

KATRI NA TEN YEARS LATER: CAN WE FIND A SILVER LINING?

THE PERSPECTIVE OF A

NOLA

BARFLY INTERVIEW WITH

BI G SA M 'S FUNK Y NA TI ON

WWW.GENTLETOUCHNATURALS.COM

Backspace Bar & Kitchen By TERRI RUSHI NG The stickiness of summertime heat makes the breath from our lungs that much more intolerable. Do not talk to me, sing to me, touch me; unless your hands and breath are made of ice! However, it doesn?t matter much. For year after year, we saunter up and down New Orleans? streets, up beat with a song in our hearts and ears. We take in the atmosphere, which is old but still pleasing and palatable to us all. New Orleans?rich and historic tapestry drapes our shoulders with a thick and saucy humidity that is uniquely Louisiana. The heat also brings that slight 3 NOLA NIGHTS MAGAZINE

anxiety of the pending hurricane season, but again, it doesn?t matter much. Life still goes on to the syncopated rhythm of New Orleans days and nights. It?s when stomping through the streets of the Vieux Carre one night that I discovered an establishment I feel would make ?Tennessee? Williams jubilant. Located just a block off Canal street and once home to Eveyln?s Place; Backspace Bar & Kitchen is a cross between a hunting lodge and a high-society mansion library. Littered with various books, stuffed animals, and faux fireplace complete with fireplace pot; I feel cozy and at home here. It is not a party-down spot with loud

obnoxious music, but more for those that enjoy a good drink with friends, or alone. There is plenty of seating in this cozy venue that prides itself on literary-themed cocktails. With a retro twist, Backspace encourages inspiration to the writer in us all. The beverage menu is author-inspired by greats such at Truman Capote, Ian Flemming, William Faulkner and many others. I brought a friend with me one night, a former security officer for the neighboring hotel across from Backspace. . ?This used to be a whore bar!? He insisted. ?They have really cleaned the place up nice!? I laughed until it hurt.

BACKSPACE BAR &

KITCHEN

139 Chartres St.

- "Night after night, in the city I love, there are so many establishments that pique my interest; but Backspace caters to my passions of drinking and writing."

It would be fitting of me to love a former prostitute-laden establishment. It?s just who I am. I am such a piece of unfortunate baggage (an endearing term my friend and I use, instead of cursing). I love everyone and love everything, and Backspace speaks to that being inside of me. That being that takes in each moment, not worrying about the company I keep or the time of day. This spot is a catchall for all things Bar Fly--good drinks, good food, and nice atmosphere. On the spirits menu there are cocktails like Mint Juleps (Faulkner?s recipe), Vesper Martinis, and Gin Rickies (a favorite). I have been to Backspace on numerous occasions, and I have to say my most favorite cocktail to date has been the Ernest Hemingway-inspired cocktail, the Scorpion. Not because it tastes so damned good, but the Hemingway-faced mug it comes in! It is really the stuff nightmares and acid trips are made of. A huge blue-ish head of a man with a tiny hat, leering at me with his stoic,

New Orleans, LA 70130

stone-cold slanted eyes. The cocktail was not bad at all, but I could not stop laughing at this mug! Now a good friend of mine that journeyed with me wishes to buy a set of these unique mugs for Christmas. I will gladly accept them, because I feel they would make excellent cocoa mugs. Of all the times that I have been to Backspace since its opening in 2012, I have only dined on the fried pickles, which are delicious; with my standard beer and whiskey. For some reason it is Irish whiskey when I am at Backspace (Bushmills preferably). My last visit I decided to try the Chicken Caprese sandwich with house-made chips, and it was savory. Anything with pesto on it, I just gush over. That sandwich alone would require a return visit. The artisan menu at Backspace included Kobe beef burgers, a ?Grown Up? grilled cheese, a Hemingway-inspired Cuban sandwich (they really love Hemingway), and other delicious eats. On my next visit, I am definitely trying the Whitman Roast Beef sandwich, which is a roasted tenderloin tip sandwich topped with fried oysters!

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I have not been much of an oyster fan in the past, but I am certainly willing to try this delicacy. The menu is the perfect balance of sophistication and French Quarter street food, that is savory and simplistic. The most alluring details in Backspace?s dĂŠcor are the classic typewriters strewn about here and there. The cushioned rolling chairs surrounding the fireplace are so comfortable, you could just sink into one and enjoy several hours of delicious meals and cocktails. There is also an open view of the street that allows you to take part on whatever?s going on outside. Just a few weeks ago, I was

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entertained by a second-line wedding party. The party beckoned me to join, but I walked outside Backspace, smiling at the couple?s nuptial celebration and enjoyed the soul-stirring brass music pouring from the instruments passing by. Tasty beverages and second line bands are definitely a great way to enjoy and night in New Orleans. Cocktails with a gentle Mississippi River breeze. The river?s breeze is always warm and welcoming for me, almost therapeutic. Night after night, in the city I love, there are so many establishments that pique my interest; but Backspace caters to my passions of drinking and

writing. Backspace Bar and Grill is a fabulous place to begin or end a night, whichever you prefer. I can safely say that as long as it remains open, I will always be a patron. I?ve even turned one of my family members into a lover of Backspace Bar and Grill. The writer in me thanks Backspace for looking into my mind?s eye and creating a special place, just for me, the unfortunate baggage. -Special thank you to Jaymes and Melissa for making my nights at Backspace some of my most memorable! - TERRI RUSHING

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BIGSAM'S FUNKY NATION

The Funky Nat ion is a st el l ar group of worl d-cl ass musicians who meet t he chal l enges of t heir f unky band l eader. BSFN?s signat ure Nol adel ic Powerf unk sound mast erf ul l y combines a rock sensibil it y wit h improv-st yl e associat ed wit h jazz and t he horn-heavy f ront sect ion t hat ?s t he hal l mark of big band f unk.

BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION -

"H igh points are when you're doing what you love and you're able to support your family doing so."

NOLA NIGHTS Who inspired you to pick up a Trombone? BIG SAM My middle school band director asked me what I wanted to play. I told him whatever he needed someone on. He said, ?The trombone? and I asked, ?What's that?!?!?? That was the beginning. NOLA NIGHTS What was the name and place of the middle school where you started playing the trombone? BIG SAM Livingston Middle School. NOLA NIGHTS How did the Funky Nation meet? BIG SAM 12 NOLA NIGHTS MAGAZINE

I started the band back in 2001, but I was so busy performing & touring with other acts that I didn't pursue Funky Nation solely full time until 2007. The band has changed throughout the years... In the beginning, it started with guys I went to school or jazz camp with. Now it's with: Drew "Da Phessah" Baham, we went to NOCCA, Kennedy and jazz camp together. We're both actually original members of ?The Stooges Brass Band?. He's like a big brother to me. I remember when we were teenagers; my mom wouldn't let me play in a club unless he was playing too. He's performed with acts from Ellis Marsalis to Mystikal. Chocolate Milk, I met on the local scene. He was playing with Jon Cleary, Henry Butler, Davell

Crawford and a few gospel groups. When it was time for a new drummer, I knew his energy would be a perfect fit. He's also the drummer for Mystikal when he uses a live band. Jerry "JBlakk" Henderson, I met through Milk. Milk recommended JBlakk on a few shows that my previous bassist couldn't make. JBlakk has performed with Chaka Khan, Lisa McClendon, Mystikal and many others. He's one of baddest bass players EVER! NOLA NIGHTS Are the songs a collaborative effort or is there a main songwriter? BIG SAM I like to collab

NOLA NIGHTS

When can we expect a new album?

What do you hope to accomplish in 5 years?

BIG SAM

Other than Nola, what is your favorite city to perform in and why?

You can expect a single this year entitled, "Feet on the Floor"... A full album sometime next year.

I would like bands like mine to get more recognized. There's no reason that it should be so complicated to get radio play. We make great music. Mark Ronson is already recognized, so to have something like "Uptown Funk" on the radio is easy for him. Bands like mine that's been doing songs like that stylistically and even digging into some rock, still can't get radio play. I want radio play with or without a label. Maybe Ronson just opened the doors for that type of acceptance... We'll see.

NOLA NIGHTS What are some of the high and low points of your career? BIG SAM Low points are when you have to leave your family and spend so much time on the road. High points are when you're doing what you love and you're able to support your family doing so. 13 NOLA NIGHTS MAGAZINE

BIG SAM It's hard to say... Every city has something special & brings something extra special out of us. For someone who hasn't seen your performance, describe it in one word. DYNAMIC! NOLA NIGHTS We know Prince is your favorite artist, so if you had the opportunity to perform with him, what song would it be and why?

BIG SAM

This changes every month lol... Right now it's: "I Rock Therefore I Am". I can relate.

I would practice a lot harder. You can never practice too much.

NOLA NIGHTS

Name your top 5 favorite band/ musician. BIG SAM

What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

James Brown

BIG SAM

Prince

Stay true to yourself. Don't worry about the next person. Do YOU!

Morris Day NOLA NIGHTS George Clinton How do you define success? Rick James BIG SAM NOLA NIGHTS What would you do differently if you were just entering the industry today?

For me, success is being happy in life and being able to spend time with family and friends. Simply loving what you do is success on it?s on.

~ BIG SAM FUNKY NATION ~

By Author Author

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