Announcement of a high-profile NYC venue for GonzoFest 2026 prompts memories of the Big Apple's role in HST development; summer is in fully upon us so the guys, showing a willingness to work every bit as much as the U.S. Congress, announce they're taking August off; and never, never let Hunter S. Thompson talk you into trying out that fast-fast motorcycle... unless you enjoy a personal master class in diminishing radius curves.

Can Gonzo Whiskey Save Democracy? Erin Petrey and Dr. Matt Patel make the case, as their Bourbon premiers in the nation's capitol in the wake of Hunter S. Thompson's birthday. No smoke bombs here amidst Congress' smoke and mirrors. (Listen for that birthday story.) Curtis and Christopher join our guests to raise a glass of the new Gonzo Whiskey to Dr. Thompson on his birthday.

Gonzo journalist and historian Mikko Macchione joins Curtis Robinson and Christopher Tidmore to talk about experiences near and great with Hunter S. Thompson in New Orleans and why the city influenced him. We talk about a piece of Gonzo journalism that is about to be reprinted that actually kicked off the Gonzo school of writers in New Orleans.

We also talk "The Rum Diary" with Mikko, appropriate since he is the author of several books on the subject, including "New Orleans Rum: A Decadent History." (Signed copies available at www.gardendistrictbookshop.com.) Curtis chimes in on editing that book with Hunter and going to Puerto Rico for the making of the movie.

GonzoFest Gathered: Ellie Rand, Part II, Another Hospital Visit

How many times have you awakened in hospital with no clear idea of how you got there? More than once? Well, if not then maybe you never had the pleasure of working for Hunter S. Thompson. Ever fire a handgun in a hot tub? Dine with Michael Douglas wearing a bikini and without shoes in the middle of an Aspen winter? Again, some on-the-job training is just more intense than others... and BTW for insiders, here's the story about the famous Woody Creek Tavern smoke bomb as Curtis Robinson and Christopher Tidmore – from GonzoFest New Orleans – interview HST's one-time secretary, Ellie Rand.

As GonzoFest approaches, Christopher Tidmore and Curtis Robinson reflect on the event, the immediate history of how a Louisville event moved down the river and into the Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans. Insiders will note their voices seem so... rested. They will not stay that way.

Christopher Tidmore and Curtis Robinson interview Hunter's onetime assistant and longtime friend Ellie Rand at GonzoFest in New Orleans and recalls hospital-bound adventures at Owl Farm... but also what it was really like during that last weekend in New Orleans only weeks before the good Doctor checked out. Spoiler alert, Hunter did not feel well and he did buy a new suit.

GonzoFest Gathered: Music Legend David Amram, Hunter S. Thompson and those UFOs

Curtis Robinson and Christopher Tidmore podcast from GonzoFest in New Orleans with special guest David Amram, who performs at the event and talks about his time with Hunter. That's right. Hunter, David Amram and their real-life link to UFO in Upstate New York. If that's not teaser enough for you, wait until you hear what he has to say about New Orleans being called a "Caribbean city," -- spoiler alert: Mr. Amram, at 94 years young, has a lot of personal history to back his arguments.

Curtis and Christopher are joined by one of the organizers of the 11th GonzoFest, Kent Fielding, calling in from Alaska. Kent will be in New Orleans on May 15-18 with Christopher and Curtis at GonzoFest's headquarters, the Garden District Book Shop's Bar Epilogue located at 2727 Prytania St. in the historic Rink, plus there will be tons of other "after hour" locations. Gonzo acolytes will gather to celebrate Hunter's life and legacy with panel discussions, music, poetry, and even two walking tours of HST's favorite French Quarter haunts. It's free - you just need to get yourself there. More at gonzofest.net.

Music icon David Amram will headline and the countdown to GonzoFest begins. The resurrected festival is drawing a lot of attention to New Orleans. Four days and nights, May 15-18, based out of the Garden District Bookshop and various nightime venues, Curtis Robinson and Christopher Tidmore break down all the events and explain how it came together to honor Hunter S. Thompson and gonzo journalism. Buy the ticket to NOLA – take the ride! Check it out - events are free but you need to buy your own airfare and drinks: https://gonzofest.net/

In honor of Super Bowl LIX, Curtis Robinson and Christopher Tidmore broadcast from New Orleans, reading from the scribe himself, and realizing just how prescient Hunter S. Thompson was about NFL and politics. What would Hunter have made of Donald Trump becoming the first sitting President to go to the Super Bowl...and what bets would he have made, particularly on the commercials?

And how is Steve Jobs ultimately responsible!