Lyric video for “Washed Away” performed by Katy Hobgood Ray, from the album I Dream of Water. Archival public domain film footage includes the Mississippi flood of 1927, Los Angeles flood of 1938, and Long Beach flood of 1939.
Engineered by Zachariah Reeves and Jason Weinheimer at Fellowship Hall Sound, Little Rock, Arkansas. Mixed and Mastered by Jason Weinheimer at Fellowship Hall Sound, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Executive Producer – Steve Howell. Out Of The Past Music. (Copyright 2019.)
Written by David Eugene Ray/Kathryn Damaris Hobgood. Published by Confetti Park.
Publicity and Radio Airplay: Blind Raccoon LLC. For more info visit http://katyhobgood.com
Washed Away (David Eugene Ray/Kathryn Damaris Hobgood) Devil raised up and he hit the ground Water piled up and the levees came down He spread himself all through this town There ain’t nowhere to go
Stood by the river while they spoke the names So much sorrow, so much pain Look all around no one to blame Where did they all go?
Washed away—Where did they go? What are their names? Nobody knows. The clouds rolled in and filled this town with tears
I’m still living in my front yard Getting by is getting hard Ends don’t meet or go too far What am I going to do?
Every evening when the sun goes down The ghosts come out and they walk around They dance through dreams in this empty town Trying to get back home
The stars fill up an empty sky I hold my head and start to cry Lost everything and I don’t know why What am I going to do?
In Algiers Point, we interact with the great river every day. We use the levee for exercise—biking, skating, walking our dogs. We use the ferry boats to cross to Canal Street on the other side-—every half hour it comes and goes. Our children grow up on batture when the water is low, playing with sticks and swinging on rope swings near the water’s edge. Collectively, we revere the great sunsets and honor the sweet life on the Mississippi River.
So we weren’t going to miss the sight of a houseboat parked along our bank. And I think that is how most of Algiers Point first discovered the story of Mr. Kelly. I wonder how he was discovered in other cities.
Mr. Kelly Phillips, who is originally from Wisconsin, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and given three months to live. Rather than enter hospice, Mr. Kelly chose to get a houseboat and live out his final days on the Mississippi River. This was in early 2016. From the AP And guess what? Three months went by… and he was still alive. So Mr. Kelly decided to move south along the river. He left Madison, Wisconsin, on March 15, 2017. From ABC News
His companion in his Mississippi journey is a first rate first mate named Sapphire, an adorable little black pug.
All along the way, Mr. Kelly’s journey has captured the hearts of people who live along the Mississippi River. And he has made many friends, and had many adventures.
From Michael DeMocker’s essay in the Times Picayune: “Phillips’s months on the Mississippi were frequently challenging. From an exploding can of chili to getting the boat stuck in ice to collisions with rock jetties and even a cargo ship at anchor, “Shameless” and its captain weathered many potentially disastrous trials.’” And from WREG: “While trying to dock in St. Louis in the winter Phillips said he stepped onto an icy dock and fell into the freezing water.
There were challenges–but most of all, there were inspirations. The stories Mr. Kelly shares are stories of the goodness of people.
Example, in Memphis, Tennessee, when Sapphire went missing, truly goodhearted people in Memphis helped them reunite. And once they heard his story, these same people bought Mr. Kelly a generator and a new phone. From WREG and another take from Little Things.
When he landed in Algiers Point, neighbors started sharing pics of Mr. Kelly’s houseboat, and it wasn’t long before his story was known across our little village and he was embraced into the fold of Point life, enjoying a pint at the Old Point Bar, coffee at One Stone, and trading stories with our people.
Last week, the Confetti Park Players were so honored to sing a song of joy to Mr. Kelly, at STEPFEST, a neighborhood concert fundraiser for a public art project celebrating Algiers Point’s tricentennial. Mr. Kelly and Sapphire were guests of honor. Greta and Tyler Hayes, whose daughters are both Confetti Park Players, coordinated the dedication.
And then, all of us, the whole room, sang “You Are My Sunshine” together with Mr. Kelly. It was truly a sweet afternoon.
A few days later, Mr. Kelly set out for his final destination: Venice, Louisiana. We are so thrilled that he made it!
Many of his “river friends” who he’d met along his journey attended a river party to celebrate him on Saturday (Jan. 26), including some Point Algerines. Among the guests were Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who said: “We want to make sure we extend the Louisiana hospitality to anyone, especially a guy with a story like this, that given the remaining time he’s got left, he’s sees that he’s got friends.”
And here is the greatest lesson Mr. Kelly has shared from his adventure along the Mississippi River:
“People are good. Period. All over. My friends from New Jersey who helped me get this far, all the people down the river, it’s all about them…I did the journey but it’s about the Mississippi River people…..I hope heaven’s like this.”
Exciting news from the Confetti Park workshop! The Confetti Park Players have just released their brand new single, “Riding on the Mississippi River.” The track is available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play, and other digital music services.
“A song inspired by life along the Mississippi River, where beautiful riverboats & big ships rule, & the merry sound of calliopes fills the air. This fun song by Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players features a Dixieland jazz band from New Orleans.”
The song is performed by Katy Hobgood Ray and the Confetti Park Players children’s chorus. Musicians include: Jim Thornton, trumpet; Owen Callahan, clarinet; David Phy, trombone; Tim Stambaugh, tuba; Brandon Brunious; banjo; and Cale Pellick, drums. It was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio, Algiers Point in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“Let’s Go Riding on the Mississippi River” was written by Ted Lindsay, from Mooringsport, Louisiana, who was inspired to write the song when visiting Katy and her family in Algiers Point in New Orleans. Ted was a principal songwriter on We’re Going to Confetti Park!, the first full-length album from the Confetti Park Players and winner of a Parents’ Choice Award.
Let’s go riding on the Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans It’s 2000 miles all the way down the middle of the USA!
Confetti Park Players Luna, Louis, and Lily call out to a freighter on the Mississippi River in Algiers Point.
Tim Stambaugh and Confetti Park Players at Word of Mouth recording studio
Confetti Park Players at Word of Mouth recording studio
David Phy, Owen Callahan, and Jim Thornton at Word of Mouth recording studio
Cale Pellick at Word of Mouth recording studio
Brandon Brunious at Word of Mouth recording studio
About Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players
Katy leads a fun mashup of a kids choir and fabulous, well-established adult New Orleans musicians. They perform catchy originals and familiar folk songs, jump rope jingles and clapping chants, and a few rock ‘n roll surprises.
The Confetti Park Players have collaborated with such musical talents as world-renowned jazz drummer Johnny Vidacovich, flutist Patti Adams of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, internationally lauded clarinetist Evan Christopher, Lincoln Center-affiliated jazz trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, Dirty Dozen Brass Band saxophonist Roger Lewis, beloved New Orleans piano players Tom McDermott and AJ Loria.
They’ve performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, the Folk Art Fest, Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, Beignet Fest, Creole Tomato Fest, Fête Française, and numerous venues around New Orleans. They are regularly featured on the Confetti Park radio program.
About Confetti Park
Confetti Park is a children’s media workshop, weekly radio program and podcast based out of New Orleans. We work with children to build community by sharing stories, music, and culture. The name for Confetti Park comes from a small playground in the heart of Algiers Point, a charming and historical neighborhood on the West bank of the Mississippi River. Learn More
One of my favorite songs performed by the Confetti Park Players is “Polly Wolly Wee,” a.k.a. “The Frog Song.” You can hear the song on our first album, and now, you can watch an adorable stop-motion animated music video created by the kids! This was made at the wonderful Mini Art Center in Algiers Point.
I first heard this cute folk song on a Lead Belly recording. Lead Belly is an important musical influence in my life. I grew up in Shreveport where there is a statue of Huddie Ledbetter standing in front of the public library downtown on Texas Street. I’m part of a group of Louisiana musicians who gather around his grave every October to sing his songs. This October 2017 will be the 25th year we hold our informal gathering!!! (I joined up around 2000.)
Lead Belly started singing to children later in his career, so of course I have plumbed his recordings since I myself have become a children’s musician. I have listened to a lot of Lead Belly, but I think I love the Smithsonian Folkways compilation Lead Belly Sings for Children most. His version of “Polly Wolly Wee” has such a pleasant vibe to it. When Lead Belly sings it, he does not have call and response on it, but that’s what the song creates…. I just can’t help but respond to him and I’ve had a good time re-creating it with the Confetti Park Players!!!
The Confetti Park Players are a children’s chorus based here in New Orleans. One of our favorite things to do is to collaborate with other musicians who live in this amazing, creative city! We are SO lucky to be surrounded by and nurtured by so much talent.
Our most recent collaboration was with local folk-pop duo Ginger & the Bee (aka Sherri Montz and Scott Frilot). This duo perform around New Orleans and have other musical projects, including the beloved Vinyl Girls, Slack Adjustor, Skin & Bones, and the Tomatoes.
Ginger & the Bee wrote a song specially for the Confetti Park Players—it’s called “Bumblebee.”
Bumblebee, bumblebee, where is your honey? I want some honey for my honey!
Bumblebee, bumblebee, where is your honey? I want some honey for me.
Choir director Katy Ray taught the song to the kids over a few weeks, and one special Wednesday night, Ginger & the Bee came to our practice at Algiers United Methodist Church to record with the kids.
Scott sets up the recording gear for the session.
Lily and Nola do a sound check with Scott. We think he and Sherri enjoyed this as much as the kids!
The Confetti Park Players sing “Bumblebee” with much gusto!
After the recording was over, the kids went outside to play on the grass with Sherri to shoot some playful scenes with scarves.
Scarf attack!
Move back, kids!
Sherri emerges.
A few weeks later, the Confetti Park Players went to the Mini Art Center, a child-centric community arts center located in our very own Algiers Point, to do stop motion animation for the music video. We had such a great time creating this from drawings and recording footage. Molly and Prescott, who run the Mini Art Center, are great teachers.
Prescott gathers the kids around the stop motion center.
The kids draw characters and backgrounds for the music video.
What a fun process! We moved the characters inch by inch for the stop motion animation.
I am so excited to debut this gorgeous animated music video for the song “Feufollet”! This features the brilliant artwork of Gustavo Wenzel and Santiago Germano. Santiago is the illustrator of The Little Mouse Santi, the first children’s book from Confetti Park. They have such a magical sensibility!
I hope the music and the legend of the spooky Feufollet enchants listeners everywhere.
– Katy Ray
“Feufollet” is performed by Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players, from the album “We’re Going to Confetti Park!” available on CD & digitally. It was recorded at Marigny Recording Studio by Matt Aguiluz and mastered by Bruce Barielle.
Featuring: Rick G. Nelson, bass; Sarah Quintana, background vocals and fae giggles; Katy Ray, vocals; Tim Robertson, guitar; Dr. Sick, violin, musical saw, toy piano; Dylan Field Turner, broom and other percussion.
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LYRICS:
In a boat, in a swamp, in the darkness
All around you is the night
Creatures jumping, night birds calling
When you see a flickering light
You think it could be a lantern
On some friendly neighbor’s trawl
Or the porch light on a swamp house
But it’s not friendly light at all
Chorus:
Don’t follow the Feufollet
Don’t follow the Feufollet
Lest you both should fade away
Pawpaw gave a warning to me
Don’t follow the Feufollet
Don’t get tricked by those lights in the sky,
They will lead you far astray
The swamp has many dangers
Use your wits, you’ll be OK
Trust the rats, the snakes and the gators
Before you trust the Feufollet
How will I know it Pawpaw?
What shall I do when I see?
When those flickering lights start to call to you
Do not follow, ma cherie.
It’s a will o’ the wisp, a trickster
Gives false comfort in the night
Stay close to the course you know in your heart
Or do not move ’til morning light.
Enjoy this music video for “Watch Out for the Pirates” featuring the Confetti Park Players and the NOLA Pyrates, filmed on location in Pirates Alley in the French Quarter, New Orleans, La. (Additional footage from Mardi Gras 2016.) This catchy pirate tune was written by Greg Schatz, a fabulous and prolific songwriter living in New Orleans, ‘specially for the Confetti Park Players. He’s one of our favorites!
The video debuts just in time for NOLA Pyrate Week, which comes around once a year. We are so thrilled to have such good friends in the NOLA Pyrates, who come to our city to do good deeds and have a good time. Thank you to Captain John Swallow, QM Seika Hellbound and their NOLA Pyrates crew for telling our kids stories, teaching us how to swashbuckle, sharing with us your pirate history lore, and for being in our music video.
Thank you to ‘Ween Dream! The kids were outfitted in loaned pirate costumes by ‘Ween Dream, a costume donation 501(c)(3) nonprofit that recycles donated Halloween costumes and gives them to kids in need.
And a very special thanks to Ava Santana-Cassano and Sally Asher for loving film footage, to Leighton Barrett Strong for assistance, and to Thais and company at Pirates Alley Cafe for all the support and goodies. And to John Haffner, for being sparkly and awesome on Mardi Gras day.
We’re Going to Confetti Park
“Watch Out for the Pirates” is from the album We’re Going to Confetti Park! by Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players. Available on CD & digitally.
“Watch Out for the Pirates” (Greg Schatz, Kathryn Hobgood Ray) features: Rick G. Nelson, bass; Beth Patterson, Irish bouzouki; Katy Ray, vocals; Tim Robertson, guitar; Greg Schatz, accordion; Dr. Sick, fiddle; Michael Skinkus, percussion. Pirates: Matt Aguiluz, Keller Clark, John Haffner, Chris Lane, Elisa McDonald, Charleston McLean, Millie Moffett, Beth Patterson, David Eugene Ray. Recorded at Marigny Recording Studio. Mastered by Bruce Barielle.
Spend my days on the Seven Seas Live my life just as I please Ride the waves, catch the breeze Watch out for the pirates
Chorus: Watch out, hey watch out! Watch out for the pirates! Watch out, hey watch out! Watch out for the pirates!
I don’t know but I’ve been told The pirate ships are strong and bold They come in the night and they steal your gold So watch out for the pirates
Doesn’t matter what your rank Keep your coin safe in the bank Don’t let them make you walk the plank Watch out for the pirates
We’ll dock at New Orleans at dawn Eat those beans until they’re gone Look out for that old man Jean, He was once a pirate
Doesn’t matter where you are Could be a boat could be a car They’ll sneak up on you and go “ARGH!” Watch out for the pirates
It’s January 6… Twelfth Night! Officially Carnival Season!
To celebrate, the Confetti Park Players have created this very special video to share with you. Here, they perform “If Ever I Cease to Love” with the great A.J. Loria, King Nino, a.k.a. the Louisiana Lounge Lizard.
“If Ever I Cease to Love” is the royal anthem of Rex. It’s a song that has all kinds of pomp and circumstance despite it’s silly lyrics!
If I ever cease to love If I ever cease to love May the moon be turned into green cheese If I ever cease to love.
One of the best versions out there is AJ Loria’s, as it appeared on his album It’s A Mardi Gras World. The Confetti Park Players are honored to perform it here with him. This was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio in Algiers Point in 2015. The parade footage is from the 2015 Krewe of Confetti Kids Mardi Gras parade in Algiers Point.
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The Confetti Park Players is an all-ages children’s chorus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our home base is in Algiers, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players meet weekly to sing, make rhythms, learn traditional New Orleans songs, and practice the craft of songwriting. The songs we sing are a mixture of fun and whimsical originals by contemporary Louisiana songwriters, classic folk songs, nursery rhymes, jump rope jingles, fairy tales, and natural lore. Our first album, We’re Going to Confetti Park!, was released in November 2015. Learn more at https://confettipark.com/music/
It’s January 6… Twelfth Night! Officially Carnival Season!
To celebrate, the Confetti Park Players have created this very special video to share with you. Here, they perform “If Ever I Cease to Love” with the great A.J. Loria, King Nino, a.k.a. the Louisiana Lounge Lizard.
“If Ever I Cease to Love” is the royal anthem of Rex. It’s a song that has all kinds of pomp and circumstance despite it’s silly lyrics!
If I ever cease to love If I ever cease to love May the moon be turned into green cheese If I ever cease to love.
One of the best versions out there is AJ Loria’s, as it appeared on his album It’s A Mardi Gras World. The Confetti Park Players are honored to perform it here with him. This was recorded at Word of Mouth Recording Studio in Algiers Point in 2015. The parade footage is from the 2015 Krewe of Confetti Kids Mardi Gras parade in Algiers Point.
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The Confetti Park Players is an all-ages children’s chorus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our home base is in Algiers, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players meet weekly to sing, make rhythms, learn traditional New Orleans songs, and practice the craft of songwriting. The songs we sing are a mixture of fun and whimsical originals by contemporary Louisiana songwriters, classic folk songs, nursery rhymes, jump rope jingles, fairy tales, and natural lore. Our first album, We’re Going to Confetti Park!, was released in November 2015. Learn more at https://confettipark.com/music/
Enjoy this story and song, “The Candy Land Ball,” which will be on the upcoming children’s CD We’re Going to Confetti Park. The CD features Katy Hobgood Ray & the Confetti Park Players singing fun Louisiana-inspired songs. There are guest performances by many wonderful New Orleans musicians, and a solo by Mr. Okra! More
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“Candy Land Ball” was written by Katy Hobgood Ray, Janet Hobgood & Ted Lindsay. Musicians on this recording: Tom McDermott, piano; Michelle Nelson, background vocals; Rick G. Nelson, strings; Matthew Perrine, tub; Katy Ray, vocals. Kids chorus: Elisa McDonald, Charleston McLean, and Hrilina Ramrakhiani. Watercolor illustrations by Emanuela Serafina.
The Confetti Park Players is an all-ages children’s chorus in New Orleans, free to all kids! Our home base is in Algiers, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players meet weekly to sing, make rhythms, share Louisiana traditions, and practice the craft of songwriting. Learn more
Mr. Okra is a fruit and vegetable vendor who travels the city of New Orleans vending from his truck. His unmistakable call over his P.A. system—“I have cantaloupes! I have tomatoes!”—can be heard from blocks away, and people await him on their front porches so they can buy their fresh produce for the week. Learn all about Mr. Okra in this article by Ian McNulty for New Orleans Magazine.
The Confetti Park Players are so delighted to feature Mr. Okra on a song on their CD, We’re Going to Confetti Park. More info at confettipark.com/music
This is a traditional adapted by Katy Hobgood Ray and Arthur Robinson (Mr. Okra). The song was produced by Katy and Matt Aguiluz and recorded at Marigny Recording Studio in New Orleans.
Featuring: Scott Albert Johnson, harmonica; Arthur Robinson, vocals; David Rosser, guitar. Kids chorus: Lily Bell, Luna Bell, Elisa McDonald, Charleston McLean, Millie Moffett, Hrilina Ramrakhiani, Sadie Strong, and Virginia Strong.
The Confetti Park Players is an all-ages children’s choir in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our home base is in Algiers, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Led by songwriter Katy Hobgood Ray, the Confetti Park Players meet weekly to sing, make rhythms, learn traditional New Orleans songs, and practice the craft of songwriting. The songs we sing are a mixture of fun and whimsical originals by contemporary Louisiana songwriters, classic folk songs, nursery rhymes, jump rope jingles, fairy tales, and natural lore.
This track features Rick G. Nelson, bass; Katy Ray, vocals; Greg Schatz, accordion; Daniele Spadavecchia, guitar; James G. Thornton, trumpet. (Snaps by Katy, Ted Lindsay and Jason Rhein.) Kids chorus: Keller Clark, Elisa McDonald, Charleston McLean, and Millie Moffett.
More about the album We’re Going to Confetti Park….
The first recorded music project from Confetti Park is almost complete! It’s in the mastering phase now, under the listening ears of Bruce Barielle. Engineered by Jason Rhein and Matt Aguiluz at Marigny Recording Studio.
Created by Katy Hobgood Ray, the CD features a chorus of children (the Confetti Park Players) singing about pirates, frogs, snoballs, and Candy Land balls along with a star-studded lineup of musicians (Johnny Vidacovich, Jon-Erik Kellso, Evan Christopher, Matt Perrine, Patti Adams, Beth Patterson, Tom McDermott, Roger Lewis, David Rosser, Brian Coogan, Tim Robertson, and more).
