Elation Podcast

Howie Kaplan is the owner of New Orleans bar and music venue The Howlin’ Wolf. We sit down with Howie to get straight into his journey from South Florida record stores and early ticketing days to taking over The Howlin’ Wolf in 2000, the standout shows he’s hosted , and why the live-music experience—and New Orleans’ culture at large—still matters more than ever.

We also dig into the tough stuff: how scalpers and broken ticketing systems hurt fans, artists, and independent venues; the wins from Save Our Stages; and what it really takes to build music infrastructure here at home. Plus, stories from managing Rebirth Brass Band and helping The Revivalists scale, the ripple effect venues have on local economies, and a cautiously optimistic take on the future of music in New Orleans. If you care about live music, this one’s for you.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Ethan Ellestad is the Executive Director of the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO). We sat down with him and our host David Adams to talk about his journey from Madison, Wisconsin to New Orleans, his work in Jamaica with the Peace Corps, and how those experiences shaped his passion for equitable urban development and cultural advocacy.

We also dig into the work MaCCNO is doing to fight outdated ordinances, legalize outdoor live entertainment, and ensure that the entire ecosystem of cultural workers—from musicians to sound engineers—gets the support they need. This conversation highlights the ongoing challenges facing artists in New Orleans, the vision for a future where New Orleans’ culture thrives through community-driven policy and advocacy, and the importance of supporting communities in the creative industries.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Reid Wick is the Director of Regional Advocacy and Member Engagement at the Recording Academy. We sat down with Reid to talk about his journey from touring jazz fusion musician to one of the leading voices shaping Louisiana’s music industry. He shares how his roots in New Orleans, his time at Loyola University, and his early work in music education laid the foundation for a career dedicated to building infrastructure, opportunities, and visibility for local artists.

We also dig into the newly passed state legislation increasing music production incentives, the importance of reversing brain drain, and why New Orleans is primed for a creative wave. Reid breaks down the behind-the-scenes ecosystem that powers the music industry and makes a case for why music deserves serious investment as a cultural and economic driver. From Katrina recovery to future-facing advocacy, Reid offers wisdom, humor, and hope for the next generation of music professionals.

Mission Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Diego Pinzon is the co-founder and CEO of DAWN Audio, and Mandy Ortiz is the co-founder and CSO. We sat down with Diego and Mandy to talk about how they’re building a global music production platform that turns isolated music-making into a collaborative, gamified experience. From their first meeting in New Orleans to the inspiration behind DAWN, they share how their unique backgrounds and love for music shaped a tool designed to connect creators across different DAWs and geographies.

We dig into how DAWN uses Discord, challenges, and a personalized coaching bot to foster creativity, community, and consistency among users. Diego and Mandy also explain their vision for the future—one where music-making feels as fun and social as logging into a video game with friends. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just starting out, this episode explores the next frontier of digital music collaboration.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Ashley Shabankereh is the Director of Operations and Programs at the Trombone Shorty Foundation, and she joins us alongside Music Industry Apprentices Larry Cacho and Covay Joseph. We talk about how the Foundation is filling a crucial gap in New Orleans by offering hands-on music industry education, mentorship, and career-building opportunities to young artists. Ashley shares the evolution of the program—from its post-Katrina beginnings to the creation of the Music Industry Apprenticeship Program—and why building a full music ecosystem in the city is key to sustaining creative careers.

We also hear directly from Larry and Covay about their journey through the apprenticeship program and their experience working with us at Elation. From staying ready for unexpected opportunities to producing original music in our studio, they share how this partnership has shaped their artistry and professional growth. We discuss how creatives in New Orleans can carve out sustainable futures, the power of collaboration, and how to stay rooted in culture while adapting to a rapidly changing industry.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Troy Sawyer is a New Orleans-born musician, educator, and the founder of Girls Play Trumpets Too, a nonprofit empowering young girls—especially Black girls—to break gender barriers in jazz. We talk to Troy about growing up in a deeply musical family, discovering the trumpet after seeing Wynton Marsalis perform, and how the Satchmo Jazz Camp ignited his passion for self-expression through jazz. He shares the impact of Hurricane Katrina on his journey, his role in rebuilding New Orleans, and how that experience shaped his purpose.

We also dive into the mission behind Girls Play Trumpets Too—a movement that goes beyond music to include financial literacy, cultural exchange, and mentorship for young girls. Troy discusses the music industry’s shortcomings in supporting artists in New Orleans, the importance of passing down music business knowledge, and how he’s using his production company and nonprofit work to build a more inclusive, empowered future for musicians.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

George Ingmire is a radio/film producer and DJ in New Orleans who has spent years capturing the heartbeat of the city through sound. We sat down with George to talk about his journey from Norfolk, Virginia to New Orleans, his deep ties to the city’s culture, and his experiences navigating the music and radio world before and after Hurricane Katrina. George shares how his early love for music discovery shaped his career and how the uniqueness of New Orleans continues to fuel his creativity.

We also dive into George’s work in radio documentaries, his passion for preserving family histories through film, and his take on how streaming and AI are reshaping the entertainment landscape. From building a life around music to capturing untold stories, George’s perspective reminds us why New Orleans remains an unmatched source of inspiration and resilience.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Lou Hill is a musician with Water Seed and an entrepreneur deeply rooted in the New Orleans music scene. We dive into his dynamic journey—from growing up immersed in the city's rich musical heritage, studying music at Xavier University, and finding his way through vibrant music scenes in DC and Atlanta, to returning home and crafting a unique path as both an artist and business innovator.

Together, we discuss the realities and challenges facing New Orleans musicians, the importance of clearly distinguishing between gigging and session work, and why fostering a business-minded, supportive creative community could transform the local music industry. Lou also shares his experiences touring, building the immersive show "Journey to Funk Star," and his commitment to pioneering creative collaborations that can uplift New Orleans' musical talent.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Amanda Mester is a communications and music industry professional deeply embedded in New Orleans' creative scene. We dive into Amanda’s unique upbringing, traveling globally as the child of classical musicians, and how this shaped her passion for storytelling, social justice, and hip-hop culture.

We also discuss Amanda's impactful work at OffBeat Magazine, her partnership with Raj Smoove at the Gentilly Agency, and her insights into preserving New Orleans' vibrant musical heritage. Amanda shares thoughtful perspectives on authenticity in creativity, the state of contemporary hip-hop, and the role of music as a catalyst for social change.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com

Octavia Young is the CFO of Element, a leading event production and rental company based in New Orleans. We sat down with Octavia to talk about her journey from Lafayette back to New Orleans, how her family’s company grew from humble beginnings to one of the largest in the South, and how they navigated major challenges like COVID-19 and the Hollywood strikes by diversifying and staying resilient.

We also dive into Octavia’s passion for supporting at-risk youth and her vision for expanding Element into new markets like Alabama and Houston. From executing large-scale events like the Moonlight Gala to her love of working festivals, Octavia shares what drives her both professionally and personally — including the joy of working closely with her father and the freedom to travel the world.

Our show's host, David Adams, founded Elation Entertainment, a New Orleans-based multi-media entertainment company. With a solid foundation of 8 years working in the Los Angeles music scene conducting multiple music camps with Grammy Associates, Musicians, and Producers, David brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His experiences have taught him valuable lessons, encouraging him to bring the entertainment industry standards and creative spaces to New Orleans, a place he calls home. 

Follow Elation Entertainment

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elationent/

Website: https://www.elationent.com