The season 1 finale has arrived. What a ride it has been thus far. If you would’ve told me a couple of months ago that we would make it to this point, I don’t think I would have believed you, not because I consider you to be a liar, but mainly because I didn’t realize we were doing this season by season, so how could I have known there would be a finale? Yet here we are, amazing.

In this episode we go on a musical tour de force of New Orleans with a quick detour (missed the exit sign) to Baton Rouge. Blues, jazz, Russian hooligan songs, street music, sounds from the LSU football game, it’s a season finale for the ages. The music was flat out incredible, firing on all brass cylinders day after day, night after night. I said get up on stage and play me some songs, son, and that’s what you did. But you didn’t just do it because your name was on the chalkboard outside the club, you did it because it’s your way of speaking with us and the message we received is that you have no choice but to play the heck out of these songs.

Someone once told me that in a previous life I was a musician living in the South, so for me this wasn’t just my first trip to New Orleans, but it was really a homecoming of sorts. Thanks for tuning in to this episode and to any others that you have listened to this season. We appreciate the awesome support we have received all season and without you, well, without you we’d have one less listener. And every listener is a reflection of all our listeners, so on that note, we are truly grateful for you taking the time to be here. We will be back with season 2 in mid-May, which is important for you to know so you don’t start frantically waking up in the middle of the night to check iTunes for the season premiere long before it hits the shelves. See you then!

Bands and MusiciansYes, Ma'amDebaucheThe New Orleans SuspectsTreme Brass BandKing James & The Special MenCedric Burnside ProjectJohnny Mastro & MBsErica FallsAlabama SlimThe Preservation Hall-Stars featuring Shannon PowellSarah McCoy & The Oopsie DaisiesJumbo Shrimp Jazz BandLeah Chase Quartet

VenuesThe Spotted Cat Music ClubPreservation Halld.b.a.Maple Leaf BarBlue NileSnug Harbor Jazz BistroApple BarrelCandlelight LoungeBJ's LoungeMaison Bourbon