Tales from the Green Room

In this engaging episode restaurateur, music promoter, and local legend  Chris 'Shaggy' Davis welcomes Tales From The Green Room and  listeners to  Day 2 of the 10th annual NOLA Crawfish Festival, a celebration that marries New Orleans' rich musical heritage with its vibrant culinary culture held at The Broadside New Orleans. The episode features an interview with rising star keyboard player/vocalist/singer song-writer, and band leader, 15-year-old River Eckert and his father, Jake Eckert. Father and son reflect on their musical journeys, from River's early days learning jazz and blues to Jake's extensive experience with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and his current gig with The New Orleans Suspects. The conversation, recorded after River's appearance at the NOLA Crawfish Festival and an hour before his next gig playing with George Porter, Jr., delves into the significance of familial legacy in New Orleans music, personal anecdotes about growing up around legendary musicians, and the impact of the city's supportive musical community. 

A special guest appearance by Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi All-Stars and Crawfish Fest stalwart) adds to the rich tapestry of stories, illustrating the unique cultural ecosystem of New Orleans, with Luther revealing the secret to his improvisational skills.  Additionally, Shaggy shares his personal history, from boiling crawfish in his backyard to founding Crawfish King (the episode’s presenting sponsor along with Cochon King BBQ), and offers insight into the festival's evolution and his friendship with Dave Matthews.

Episode Photo Gallery by Chris Applebaum Images – 4/29/25 at The Crawfish Festival, Including Photos from Episode 33 with The Rumble and an upcoming episode with Joe Marcinek and Rick King (NOLA Dead Funk Summit)

 To be honest, what I do, what I really get paid to do at the highest level and what I did with Phil Lesh, or what I did with the Black Crowes, or whatever, like high end, high octane stuff, fearless improvisation, I learned at The Maple Leaf. . Johnny (Vidacovich) and George (Porter) taught me how to roll…I'd show up with songs and set lists, but they didn't want that man. They didn't even want songs. They just wanted to improvise for two full sets. And it would scare me to death. But I learned how to do it, man. And that's the real juice.I have a huge debt to the  New Orleans culture.                                                                                                   
-Luther Dickinson on his relationship with New Orleans

 It's not ever annoying to hang out with older people because they're the ones with the knowledge. I'm my age and my generation's the one who's learning in the present moment. So when I'm around all those guys, it's just I soak up any information that I can possibly get. 

-River Eckert on being 15 and hanging out with older guys in the music scene

-Jake Eckert on growing up in a musical family.

-Chris “Shaggy” Davis on the origins of the NOLA Crawfish Festival

NOLA Crawfish King – Seafood & Catering
Cochon King BBQ

Special thanks to Luther Dickinson, Nick Burlison & Chris Applebaum/Applebaum Images