re: The Official 2014 New Orleans Jazz Fest thread - Phish takes over NOLA

Used to work at the Georgia Theatre in Athens from 93-97 and got to meet many great artists. Would be there about 2 hours before a premiere show to help off load the bands equipment and occasionally got to mingle and chat with the group members. Shot the shite with Dave Matthews and Leroi Moore(rip) while we they were preparing to shoot the Ants Marching video that night in 94. Never had an issue talking to any of them. Never felt a sense of awe....until

The Funky Meters came in 96. I was a huge fan of them, Dr. John, The Neville Bros., Toussaint,Tab Benoit and so many other NOLA born artists. They arrived about 2 hours before show time and the theatre was empty except for me and a few other employees. Will never forget Art Neville walking through the side door with his sunglasses on. He just had a charisma that exuded coolness. He walked slowly up to the front of the stage, right beside me and just looked around with a look I can't even describe. I couldn't even say hello...I was rendered speechless . Like I wasn't cool enough to even bother him with a word. He finally looked at me and said "this works....yeah,this works." Then he walked back out the door to their bus. I'll never forget that. Out of all the big name artists I got to talk to, I was unable to say a word to him. Did talk to GPjr and Russell Batiste a little though. Never even saw Leo until about ten minutes before the show.

Treasured memories.