When I was hanging out in New York City back in the 80s seeing bands for the first time like Huey Lewis & The News, Graham Parker, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and The Eurythmics, never did I dream that one day I would present a show at what was then called The Ritz. Oh course, The Ritz was short lived, the building was, and is now again, Webster Hall.
Built in 1886, Webster Hall enjoys a remarkable timeline with over a century of service as a pleasure palace, community center, and meeting space, with each era reflecting the culture of the day - America’ history. It is a gorgeous building that dates back to the same era as when the Texas Dancehalls were constructed, and in 2007, Webster Hall was granted landmark status. As one thinks about today’s entertainment business, it is ever impressive to see the traditions of the different nationalities be woven to create the fabric. And that is especially true in American Music, as it is the ultimate melting pot.
On Friday night, I got to play host to a Let’s Zydeco show in The Marlin Room of Webster Hall with Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. Accordion blazing, French and English, earthy, soulful and fun; the audience was two stepping, Zydeco dancing, and waltzing. It was magical listening to a Grammy award winning band in a space that has long played home to good music, good times, and yes, even cheek to cheek dancing back in the day. And it was a thrill for me, for sure, to being able to make it happen. You just never know where life will take you.
A month ago, the Music Fog crew blew into New York to film at the uptown outpost of ‘Webster Hall Presents’, Midtown Live. We had a return session with Morgan O’Kane, who long ago rocked our bus. (Literally.) Great to bring his bad ass punk approach to banjo back to you, as we hoist our collective beers to cheers him for a belated birthday. Morgan wisely wound up celebrating by playing at Chickie Wah Wah in New Orleans. We should all be so lucky.
-Jessie Scott