BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY

Every once in a while a band comes along that just simply makes you appreciate music THAT much more. Well, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy (aka. BBVD) was that band for me last night. What an inspiration! I've been to a few concerts at this relatively small outdoor theater, Scera Theatre, and this is seriously one of the only times I have not seen a lot of people leave early. Everyone was glued to their seats. Except, of course, those dancing their socks off! Oh yes, and that amazing standing ovation they received. If you ever get a chance to see them live, do it! I highly recommend it. This band of 9, has been together for 16 years. And when I say they've been together for 16 years, I mean this is the original 9. They just came out with their 8th album, which is their tribute album to Cab Calloway. Not only are these guys very well dressed, but they also happen to be a multi-platinum selling band. They even sang a song that was influenced by NOLA. So yes, that makes me like them even more. ;)

Now I know a lot of you watch Dancing With the Stars. These guys performed on one of the episodes. If you'd like to watch the video footage of them performing on the show, click here.

AND we got to meet the band and take our picture with them before the concert! It was like the cherry on top of one of the best sundaes. Ever.

This guy, Scottie, the lead singer and song-writer (and guitar player) LOVES what he does. Can you tell?! Actually they all love what they do and it definitely shows on stage.

(Jen, this one's for you...)

(And this one...)

Love this shot.

.Guitar.

.Piano.

.Bass.

.Horns. (There's actually 5 in the band.)

.Drums.

Simply. These guys know how to entertain!

One of my favs.

*For all you photography friends...all these photos were taken with an ISO of 6400! Love Canon. And the new 5D. Amazing.

(FYI. I added a little grain to a few photos in post processing for the effect.)

the pitcher

Sports.  One of my favorite things to do, watch, and shoot.  With my camera.  

Baseball is an All-American sport.  And like most sports, it takes a lot of talent.  Especially for a left-handed pitcher.  Adam plays with passion and not only plays for himself, but also for his team.  Along with pitching, he's a great hitter with lots of RBI's under his belt.  He's been recruited by an All*Star team and is definitely liking baseball as his #1 sport.  

the cajun who sacked peyton manning

If you've been to New Orleans and haven't taken a ride thru the swamps...airboat style, then you missed out!  I highly suggest taking one of these rides to experience a different side of these beautiful swamps.  My dad and I were planning on going and I called my sister to see if she would like to join in on the fun and then she called her son....and we soon had a party brewing up!  Holla!  When we got to Airboat Adventures in Lafitte, we noticed larger airboats and then the more intimate, smaller boats.  Kay Marie, my sister, and I were soooo hoping for one of the smaller boats.  We lucked out.  That's exactly what we got.  I guess a party of 4 is the lucky number.  We also scored with our tour guide, Louis (Lew-is), who is one pretty cool cajun!  He absolutely loves his job, loves Lafitte, and loves the swamps and everything that has to do with them!

Here we are waiting for our tour to start...

I stole my sister's water spray-bottle...  ;)  It was gettin' hot!

That day on the swamps, a certain celebrity was riding around with us.  He just so happened to be filming a movie in the area and I guess these airboats helped with it.  These boats can make some pretty forceful wind action!!  While we were cruising around...HIM, yes HIM, Silvester Stalone, passed right by us on his airboat.  Very cool.

Meet Louis.  AKA...Captain Lou.

And we're off!

While on the tour, we learned about how hurricanes over time have, in a way, changed some of the scenery in these swamps.  There are now more different kinds of flowers and such that have been transplanted from say neighborhoods to the swamps from the high winds of these powerful storms.

I think my dad had some fun!  What do you think?!

(Priceless...)

Here's our first local...

Yep, alligators loooovvve MARSHmellows!  Get it?  MARSH...aka...swamp...MELLOW!

Yeah, it's a little joke out here!  Don't blame me, I didn't make it up.  But it is true, they do love the tasty little treats.

He was a friendly little guy...or I guess he was just being nice so Lou would give him more marhmellows.  Yep, he knows how to work it!  Put on a show for a gator treat!

Fellow airboat riders.  See how big there boat is!  Ours only fits about 5.  It was pretty cool because we got to go in some of the 'tighter' areas of the swamp.

Another local!  He's a big one!

I like this photo that Kay Marie took...

Here's Lou telling us some stories of the history 0f Spanish Moss.  This was the spot where we also learned a little more about our captain.  He got on the subject of how his high school there in Lafitte changed their mascot to the 'alligators'.  And I happened to mention that was pretty cool because my mascot at Grace King High School was 'the fighting irish'....nothing really to do with New Orleans.  That brought back some memories for him.  Not all good.  ;)  He brought up the fact that we, my high school, beat them in football all the time.  Except for ONE time.  I was like really.  Grace King.  I was thinking how does he remember that?!  It was like ages ago!  Then it clicked.  I asked him if he had played football.  He said yes.  Then the fun stories came!  He played against Peyton Manning in high school.  For those of you who don't know, Peyton and his brothers grew up in Louisiana.  So Lou proceeded to tell us that while playing against him, he SACKED the now Superbowl Ring wearing superstar, Peyton Manning!  Not just once.  Many times!!  I think Lou was his worst nightmare.  ;)

Well, high school was over and Lou went off to college.  He came home for a visit and happened to be in the French Quarter and guess who he runs in to?!  Yep, Peyton!  He walks up to the tall quarterback.  Looks UP to him and says Hey Peyton, you remember me?!!  #45 !!  Peyton's reply was That was YOU!!  I think they shared a few laughs after that.  (I can't remember his number, so I made that one up...sorry Lou.)

How COOL is that!  I love that story!  And I love this shot of Lou.

After that entertaining story, Lou offered to be my assistant for a sec and take our pic.  He took my camera and said I know how to use a camera!  Just push the button!  And something along the lines of Yeah, I have a degree in how to operate a camera! I'm an expert! 

Ummm...Lou...no you didn't...just say that!  

I guess I forgive you since you played football with Peyton.  (Did I mention that I love football!)

One of my favorite images from the day...

Our tour was over and I just had to ask.  Lou, I gotta get a picture with the 'guy who sacked Peyton Manning!'  He said of course.  Of course.

Thanks Captain Lou!!  We had a blast!