The keyboard and guitar player with Southern rock powerhouse band Drive-By Truckers is also a pop music fanatic, having released a string of candy-coated solo records over his career. His latest collaboration, “Roll Up A Song” with “Space Ghost” writer Pete Smith, is a power pop gem garnering a 4-star review from Mojo magazine. Developing an affinity for the Troubled Men while playing on the latest Loose Cattle project, Jay uses a rare night off after a recent Truckers show to tip into Snake & Jake’s for some fellowship, frivolity, and hot pozole talk.

Topics include Father’s Day, Jerry Lewis, Malevitus, Tiana Hux, Chris Champagne, Siberia Bar, Joey Chestnut, Kobayashi, a giant cupcake, the Civic, the Breeders, a U.S. tour, “Southern Rock Opera,” the Betamax, NY suburbs, Yankee seats, Joe Jackson, “Steppin’ Out,” Moving to Athens, the Datsun 510, country club gigs, Spooner Oldham, a Halloween gig, a job offer, Model Citizen, Dial Back Sound studio, Reed Watson, Jimbo Mathus, the Bay City Rollers, Badfinger, the Jamm, the Knack, the Possibilities, Tang, Bosco, Chiclets, “Adult Swim,” and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break and Outro Music: "Gelato" and She's My Girl" from "Roll Up A Song" by Gonzalez Smith

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The co-founding keyboard player and singer with the New Orleans Suspects spent years playing funk and soul music on the Southeastern club circuit before landing in town. Noticing a vacuum in children’s music training, he established two local branches of the School of Rock, where he passes on lessons learned over a lifetime on the bandstand. Tonight CR joins the Troubled Men for a masterclass in post-gig distractions.

Topics include Pride month, shame, Galatoire’s, Michael Dominici, Alice Cooper, an assessment win, a Gardenia Moon recording session, Jerry West RIP, Bill Walton RIP, tornados, granny porn, Leon Medica RIP, redheads, Philadelphia, classical training, Rush, the Talking Heads, a school lunch set interrupted, a Dead cover band, a box truck, pay phones, fan mail, the Maple Leaf Bar, Frenchy, Kevin O’Day, Jake Eckert, the Usual Suspects, Willie Green, Reggie Scanlon, the Rhythm Shack Studio, Wet Willie, Eddie Christmas, a James Booker story, clown camp, Paul Green, “Rock School,” a franchise success, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "Things (In Your Mind)" from "Ouroboros" by the New Orleans Suspects

Outro Music: "Watcha Gonna Do" from "Kaleidoscope" by the New Orleans Suspects

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School of Rock New Orleans/Metairie

The DBA co-founder ran the Frenchmen St. nightclub and booked talent for over 20 years. Selling the iconic institution last year, he resurrected the beloved Chazfest, promoting 2024’s event at the Broadside along with several other shows through his New Suit Productions. Having worked in clubs his entire life, like the Troubled Men, Tom does some of his best work in the dark.

Topics include a Sonny Landreth and the Iguanas tour recap, Sidney Smith’s birthday party, a Wet Willie set, Bosco, a roach farm, tenant issues, a sucker punch, prop guitars, the Hunter Biden trial, the Pope’s book, Hudson Valley, Bard College gigs, California living, DBA NYC, Kelly Keller, Geraniums gigs, Karen Brady, CC Adcock, powdered booze, competition, booking philosophy, Dana Colley, Michael Jackson, soundproofing, dying partners, the NIVA/NITA conferences, new ownership, tour cancellations, disc golf, a club owner’s poker game, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "Whisper" from "Yes" by Morphine

Outro Music: "Factory For Stars" from "Hope Is Not For The Weak" by the Geraniums

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The acclaimed writer and comedian has recently published his debut novel, “The Knights of Wade,” a comic tale set in New Orleans. Having written several successful children’s books, including “Jokes for Crescent City Kids,” his latest work has been favorably compared to “A Confederacy of Dunces” for its quirky local flavor. Tonight Mike encourages the Troubled Men to forego the knavery, and get on with some proper behavior. Results vary.

Topics include a Jazz Fest recap, the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, tents, the outdoors, an emotional support alligator, a doctor’s note, Slidell, a school newspaper, LSU, a humor column, a crazy family, a youngest child, a class clown, Don Rickles, Jerry Seinfeld, a comedy class, Toastmasters, eulogies, Jerry Lewis, John Hinckley, Jodie Foster messages, the Comedy House NOLA, Ken Jeong, a construction project, an Angus Lind endorsement, Pelican Publishing, media and communications, Walker Percy, John Kennedy Toole, Flannery O’Connor, “The Neon Bible,” the southern milieu, the Tulane Book Festival, Milton Friedman, joke writing, notebooks, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break and Outro Music: "The Liquor Dance" and "Zacatecas" from "Plastic Silver 9-Volt Heart" by the Iguanas

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The award-winning photographer and freelance journalist’s focus on New Orleans culture dates to her work for the legendary Michael P. Smith. While working as Gambit Weekly staff photographer, she’s chronicled the city’s contrasts and contradictions, producing images both comic and tragic, sacred and profane. Her new book, “The Danse Macabre: Celebration and Survival in New Orleans,” is a vibrant expression of this eternal ethos. Tonight Cheryl joins the Troubled Men to laugh it up as twilight descends.

Topics include a men’s room, a Passover seder, Chazfest, a Kingpin gig, Jazz Fest, pedicabs, Heart, rescheduling weed, bong hits, Jude Acers, Baylee Badawy, Naked Gardening Day, the Marigny, Madisonville, an Amish father, the Half Moon, country life, an escape to college, newspaper jobs, New Orleans Magazine, Errol Laborde, Teresa Askew, an office job, teaching in Honduras, hepatitis, Mardi Gras Indians, Bruce Springsteen with the Iguanas, gutter punks, Chris Rose, death, good times, Rex members, the Women’s March, “Cherchez la Femme,” Anne Gislesen, Gerald Herbert, Uganda Roberts, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "Eve" from "This Is About This" by the Geraniums

Outro Music: "Royal Street" from "Hope Is Not For The Weak" by the Geraniums

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Purchase "The Danse Macabre: Celebration and Survival in New Orleans

Musician and electrical/HVAC contractor Sage Maas and Narcissy guitarist/mastermind and registered nurse Jay Holland have been running partners going back to the heyday of the Mermaid Lounge. Sage survived a chaotic childhood to become a heroic and generous instigator. Jay is a guitar hero who plumbs the depths on stage and off, performing feats of derring-do that leave audiences stunned. Tonight, on the cusp of Chazfest, they double-team the Troubled Men for an over-the-top-rope Battle Royale. Everyone’s a winner.

Topics include a dentist visit, a French Quarter Fest recap, Sober Sidekick, Flakka, O.J. Simpson B.I.H., Barry Scheck at the urinal, a late arrival, the mayor’s podcast, ear roaches, the electric chair, death row with Ted Bunny, Uncle Barry, artist parents, Kandinsky, a fashion designer, murder and mayhem, piles of cocaine, drug dealers, doctors, changing the mood, self-sacrifice, school therapy, a mother’s helper, a Virginia home, 9/11, a Mardi Gras Super Bowl, Alex McMurray, a mishap, Anthony Donado, a 50th birthday recording session, Ben Mumphrey, Brett Eugene Ralph, Dave Cappello, Noise Lab Studio, Nicky Sanzenbach, light dependence, kids’ hip hop, the Remaining Geraniums, Tiana Hux, the Morning 40 Federation, club infrastructure, Eric Bolivar, vegan cracklings, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "Itsy Bitsy Spider" from "Kiddie Ditties" by Sage Maas

Outro Music: "Equinox" by Jay Holland and Sage Maas

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The master drummer with credits including Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, and Alison Krauss has completed his documentary film project,”Street Beat: Drumming Below Sea Level,” that examines New Orleans drummers and the second line tradition. Interviewing elders, such as Zigaboo Modeliste, Johnny Vidacovich, Carlo Nuccio, and Raymond Weber, and younger players, including Jason Marsalis and Stanton Moore, the film traces the roots of the form as well as its modern applications. Doug appeared on the last episode before the 2020 pandemic shutdown. Tonight, as the storm clouds gather, he returns to take cover with the Troubled Men.

Topics include an Iguanas tour recap, the eclipse, Chinese glasses, Sonny Landreth, Dave Ranson, Brian Brigand, the mayor’s podcast debut, the Vagiplug lady, flooding at Zulu HQ, a Bob Dylan show, the Saenger Theater, the “Road House” remake, CC Adcock, Tommy McLean, the women’s NCAA Final 4, a returning guest, recent drummer deaths, Donald Markowitz, Jason Villemarette, Reya Sunshine Hart, a Jazz Museum screening, Kevin O’Day, New Orleans drum styles, Earl Palmer, James Black’s floor tom, Russell Batiste, a bass player father, a first drum set, Herman Ernest, Ricky Sebastian, Matt Tecu, an acid trip, a Dockside Studio session, Tony Daigle, a Junior Wells session, the Lynn Drury record, Michael Rhodes, Anders Osborne, a Chick Corea story, stage perspective, drum shop pranks, blap drums, preserving unique cultural idioms, Leslie Smith, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "What's 'Pho' Lunch" from "Magazine St." by Doug Belote

Outro Music: "Live My Life" from "High Tide" by Lynn Drury

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Brad Orgeron/Jack Orion is a 1st generation glam and punk rock singer and guitarist from the Contenders/Backstabbers and Aces 88 who started a band after seeing the New York Dolls, and was a witness to the local scene from its earliest days. Damien Youth is a reclusive, prolific psych/folk rock singer and guitarist who’s recorded over 50 albums of original music. Together they are the Belladonna Lovers. Tonight they join the Troubled Men for some Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf-style repartée.

Topics include spring break, the stalker, coed uniforms, campus decorum, a cancelled visit, an armrest incident, the Mile-High Club, a recording session, a Tav Falco record, a mayor’s eviction, a mayor’s probation, “Poor Things,” Walters Prep School, the Captain and Tennille, Lakeshore Drive, Blue Cheer at Pontchartrain Beach, Jonathan Wolff, Harlot, the Sands, Steve Walters, the Normals, Russel Joubert, Ultrexx, Fat City, the Heartbreakers, Dino Kruse, the Sex Pistols in Baton Rouge, Glen Matlock, the Red Rockers' reunion, Bryan Barberot, George the Max, Stephie, a geographical cure, Austin, San Francisco, Hawaii, Sanford & Son, the Mitchell Brothers, Jimi Chubbuck, Johnny Indovina, a rock’n’roll motel, an aborted project, new music, live videos, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "Drug City" from "Live in the Big Sleazy" by the Contenders/Backstabbers

Outro Music: "The Accident" from "Live Radio Session" by Belladonna Lovers

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She’s a muralist and painter with work at the Audubon Aquarium and the Orleans Casino, as well as a burlesque performer and producer with the legendary Shim Shamettes, and leader of her own band, the Souvenaires. Max is a sensitive artist, who hopefully remains unsullied by her time at the Christmas Club with the Troubled Men.

Topics include Friday Night Fights, a Pat Cronin memorial, an Ed Volker gig, a comedy show, a time change, the State of the Union, the Dixie Cups, Provigil psychosis, police rats, a jail break-in, ice cream, Mobile, Brunswick, an only child, art school, stripping, a cute club, auditioning, the Champagne Room, Las Vegas clubs, a punk band, the film biz, Carroll O’Connor, “Consenting Adults,” scenic painting, a Betty Page contest, Irving Klaw, Puddles the Clown, Richard Jewell, the Atlanta Olympics bombing, Blaine Kern, Stacy Hoover, sales, Paul Prudhomme, an Ernie K-Doe portrait, lounge music, public art, graffiti, Breaux Mart, Madonna murals, fishing camps, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break and Outro Music: "Better Life" and "Leave Me Alone" from "Humble Beginnings" by Max Bernardi

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The veteran drummer, pianist, and composer started his career playing Tyler’s Beer Garden with the James Rivers Movement. He spent years in NYC slinging bonds on Wall Street by day and making the downtown jazz scene by night. In spite of his family’s nearly 200-year history in New Orleans, Charlie had never been inside Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Lounge. Guess he was just waiting for an invitation from the Troubled Men.

Topics include Hall and Oates, Richard Lewis RIP, Don Rickles sitcoms, Jimmy Maxwell RIP, older musicians, society bands, a tall Elvis, “Priscilla,” “Silence of the Lambs,” Super Tuesday, a rematch, Sinead O’Connor, Ray Stevens, ChazFest resurrected, the Remaining Geraniums, new crime bills, concealed carry, execution methods, Isidore Newman School, a first drum set, Mike Guma, David Torkanowsky, Nicky Sanzenbach, Hank Mackie, Soul Jazz, New England Conservatory, Gunther Schuller, Bob Moses, Al Vega, bond daddies, Bond girls, the market crash, Dickie Landry, the 1980s, rap, the Hound, coming home, Tom Fitzpatrick, Bourbon St., Rob Davis, Kevin O’Day, Ingrid Lucia, Scott Goudeau, and much more.

Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman

Break Music: "Blockamurry" by Charlie Kohlmeyer

Outro Music: "Jasara" by the Jack Meade 6

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