Irma Thomas, the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” still remembers her first time singing on stage. It happened at New Star school in Greensburg, Louisiana, during a school play of Cinderella. Her teacher asked her to sing “Tennessee Waltz” for the audience.
Irma wasn’t nervous—she was excited. As she sang, she realized how much she loved performing. The applause she received made her feel proud and happy.
That first stage experience sparked Irma’s passion for musical performance. She may not recall every detail, but she’ll never forget how it felt to express herself through song! Her experience is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one moment to discover something you love.
Thank you, dear Irma Thomas Jackson, for sharing this childhood music memory with Confetti Park.
Chris Sheard recalls going on car rides with the family and only having one cassette tape to listen to, over and over again!
In this childhood music memory, New Orleans musician Chris Sheard (Mr. Chris!) recalls going on car rides with the family and only having one cassette tape to listen to, over and over again. One side featured Marvin Gaye, and the other featured Sam Cooke.
The family would flip the tape over and over, and Chris learned every single word to every song by heart.
Chris ponders how children today have infinite options of music to listen to on demand, via Spotify and other internet apps. While there is amazing access to music for today, has something been lost in the overwhelming options?
Chris doesn’t comment on which time he thinks is better — then or now? But he is grateful for his own experiences. He will always recall those long road trips and deeply listening to Marvin and Sam singing.
Thank you, Mr. Chris, for sharing your memory with Confetti Park.
Christopher Sheard is a New Orleans-based musician and teacher with years in the field of early childhood music. He is the founder of Blue House Music, a direct-to-family early learning music program that serves children under five and their caregivers. He currently serves as the lower school music teacher at The McGehee School for Girls and Little Gate in uptown New Orleans.
In this episode of Confetti Park, Doreen Ketchens, one of New Orleans’ most beloved street buskers, shares a childhood memory… one about how music changed her life one unforgettable day at school.
Walking down Royal Street on a sunny afternoon, you are very likely to find Doreen Ketchens wailing on her clarinet, leading an enthusiastic band and delighting passersby with her vibrant personality and bold, joyful sound.
Doreen has been called “Queen Clarinet,” “the female Louis Armstrong,” and “Lady Louie.” She has a quick smile, an easygoing laugh and is always ready to entertain. She also has a dedication to promoting New Orleans culture and music.
Doreen and her family (including husband Lawrence, a tuba, trombone and piano player) have traveled the world and performed for numerous U.S. presidents. Their daughter Dorian is already a world-traveled jazz drummer.
“The teacher would ask one question. If you knew it, you passed, if you didn’t you failed…. I was destined for failure. I looked to the sky and said, ‘Oh God, if you get me out of this, I will do anything.’
About two minutes later the principal came on the loudspeaker and she said, ‘Anyone interested in joining the band, report to the band room immediately! And there I went!”
Meet the Chickadees, a trio of young musicians from Shreveport, Louisiana! These sensational ten-year-olds – Posy Harper, Evie Desobry and Ellie Spero – are a breath of fresh air to the local music scene with their infectious energy and impressive talent. Guided by their dedicated teacher, Miss Sandra Odom, the Chickadees are singing and strumming their way into the hearts of audiences.
[Katy: I first met the Chickadees at the gravesite of Huddie Ledbetter at our annual Lead Belly Graveside Jam in October 2024, and I’ve been following their band since then. Watch their performance of “Cottonfields” here!)]
The kids met at school (A.C. Steere) and were all music students studying under Sandra, and the band came together naturally. All play ukulele, but each member brings a unique flair to the project. Posy also plays bass, while Evie plays banjolini, which she likes for its distinct twang. Ellie has delightful stage presence and brings a yodeling twist to the group. Her rendition of “Lovesick Blues” is a showstopper!
The Chickadees’ set list is a sweet mix of timeless classics and contemporary hits. They perform a lot of Louisiana crowd pleasers (“Jambalaya,” “Louisiana Saturday Night”) as well as new songs by artists such as Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves. In the interview, each singer talks about why she picks a certain song to take lead on.
Despite their young age, these songbirds are seasoned performers, enchanting audiences at various venues and events around north Louisiana.
The Chickadees are enjoying their friendship through music — practice sessions double as fun playdates and sometimes even roll into sleepovers!
For other young aspiring musicians, the Chickadees have some advice: pick an instrument you love, find a supportive teacher, and practice, practice, practice until you hit those high notes!
Thank you, Miss Sandra and The Chickadees for sharing your talent with Confetti Park.
The Chickadees of Shreveport, La. feature (L-R) Ellie Spero, Posy Harper, and Evie Desobry. Their music teacher is Sandra Odom.
The Cajun fiddler and singer for Lost Bayou Ramblers recalls learning to dance with his cousins while the family band played
Louis Michot, a talented fiddler and singer with the Grammy award winning Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers, shared a sweet childhood music memory with Confetti Park.
Growing up, Louis would often join his father and uncles’ band, Les Frères Michot, in the vibrant dance halls and restaurants of Lafayette. (Randalls, Mulates, Prejeans, etc.) It was there, amidst joyous community gatherings, that Louis learned to dance. He was only six or seven!
“I remember taking my cousins’ arms, Effie and Rebecca, and we’d switch off…..It was kind of magic. We’d stay on the dance floor all night.”
The spontaneous magic of dancing lively two-steps, waltzes and jitterbugs to the family band’s music left a lasting impression on Louis. It remains a fond memory that continues to inspire his love for music and performance today.
Thank you, Louis, for sharing this childhood music memory!
You can hear Les Frères Michot perform one of the songs Louis recalls from that time, “Two Step De Pilette,” in this interview.
At 12 years old, this musician and composer is already active on the local music scene in New Orleans. Katy Hobgood Ray interviews Arlo for Confetti Park
In a recent interview, New Orleans based music prodigy Arlo McCracken Allen shared insights into his musical journey that began at the young age of four when he first sat at a piano. Arlo quickly progressed from playing at home to performing with his dad’s band (Luke Allen, Happy Talk Band) and other notable musicians.
Arlo plays piano and cello, but he loves electronic music. Influenced by video game music creator Toby Fox, Arlo aspires to compose soundtracks for games and films. He enjoys creating electronic music using tools like Logic Pro X and making animations. Arlo even created a piece displayed on a large projection for an audience at Luna Fete, working with artist Courtney Egan.
Currently at Homer Plessy middle school, Arlo is preparing to attend NOCCA, a school for creative arts. He is actively involved in collaborative projects, including the development of a video game with friends for which he composed the main menu theme.
In this interview with Confetti Park, Arlo offers advice to other young musicians — on how to get started playing music, and on finding confidence to perform. Despite having stage fright, playing music liberates him, allowing him to connect deeply with his audience.
Arlo’s vision is to continue building his portfolio and expand his reach through platforms like YouTube. Whether flying solo or collaborating with others, Arlo McCracken Allen’s passion for music is undeniable. We’re excited to watch his journey!
Thanks for sharing your talent with Confetti Park, Arlo!
Arlo McCracken Allen is a New Orleans musicianSign in front of Bywater Bakery advertises 12-year-old Arlo’s performanceArlo McCracken Allen performing on piano in the street, Bywater (New Orleans)
Music can carry powerful memories and emotions through generations, as Scott Durbin of the Imagination Movers shares with us.
Scott, whose grandmother was Native American, recalls participating in powwows at a very young age. His family’s tribe would come together to honor their cultural traditions, and music with drumming and dancing was a central component.
“I remember being very young, dressed in garb and doing a powwow, and as much as a six year old can intuit a spiritual elevation because of the music and the beat, I knew this was amazing.”
Through experiencing the resonating drum circles and participating in the spirituality of his ancestral heritage alongside his grandmother and family, he came to know the power of music early. Scott believes this may be his first clear memory of music unlocking a moment of revelation.
Thank you for sharing this special memory with Confetti Park, Scott!
Charlie Bush is a guitar player, drummer, and a retired chef from Shreveport, Louisiana. His childhood was imbued with music, as he had an incredibly wonderfully large musical family, with all the siblings having particular instruments they played and a personal repertoire of songs they were known for singing in their family ranks.
Charlie’s brother Bill Bush is a Louisiana legend who led a musical combo for fifty years. (Learn about the Bill Bush Combo) He operated a club in Shreveport called the Moulin Rouge, where members of the family honed their performance chops. Eventually, Charlie and his sister Rebecca toured New Zealand as a duo singing folk and rock songs.
Charlie’s mom Ruby had a big impact on his appreciation of music (and that of his siblings).
“It started out with my mom, who was a piano player, and played for all my talent shows growing up,” says Charlie.
Ruby is still living at 99 years young and regularly performs for her fellow residents at a nursing home in the Dallas area!
Charlie took ukulele lessons when he was seven years old at the Shreveport Memorial Library. (Aren’t public libraries WONDERFUL??) Soon after, he started taking guitar lessons.
“My first song was John Denver, ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads,’” recalls Charlie. “Then I learned 27 Jimmy Buffet songs because they were all three and four chords. Easy to learn…. and I just went on from there!”
And that’s how it’s done, kids. Find an instrument you like, learn some popular songs you really love. Start with the easy ones. Once you learn just a few chords, the world of musical performance opens up to you!
Thank you Charlie Bush for sharing your childhood music memories with Confetti Park.
Andreas Sahar, of New Orleans, is a musician, songwriter, and the artistic director of Totally Square Records. In this interview with Confetti Park, Andreas talks about his record label, about his earliest childhood musical memories, and about nurturing a love for music within his own young children.
Wimmerpot
From Andreas’ childhood recollections is the enchanting nickname his grandmother gave him: “wimmerpot.” He discusses this nickname in the interview… and from his website:
“My grandmother made up the word,” explains Andreas. “Roughly translated from German, her moniker for me was something along the lines of “stewing teapot,” a reference to the constant humming I did while playing with my Legos or train sets. At four years old, music was already brewing inside my head, escaping in bouts of sonorous steam while I fiddled with my toys.” More from his website
Totally Square Records
Andreas discusses with Confetti Park the unique concept behind Totally Square Records, which features pop and pop rock music. The featured artists have more than captivating hooks, intriguing melodies, and tight harmonies in common—they also share a commitment to serve as positive role models to their fans.
“What we do is we sign recording artists who agree to stay out of trouble, to stay away from all the tabloid catchers, and focus on making great music,” Andreas explains. He then goes on to introduce some of the artists featured on the label. (Enjoy clips of the following artists from the roster of Totally Square Records in the interview.)
“Anamaria Angel has a great pop rock feel…She is a fantastic artist.”
“I’m also really excited to work with Justin and Alina, a brother and sister team. It’s amazing watching and hearing them work together.”
“We also have an artist by the name of Nicole Raviv, a fantastic vocalist. She was raised in Canada and Israel. She goes back all the time to Israel to put on some really big shows.”
Outside of the label, Andreas creates his own music—which runs the gamut of styles from pop singles to long-form symphonic pieces and musicals. Much of Andreas’ musical creativity is inspired by his spirituality. (Listen to some samples.)
Andreas and daughter Ramona, who is already showing a love for songwriting
Passing on the love of music
Andreas also enjoys collaborating with his children, twin boys and a daughter, on music. Here is a song called “Rock ‘n Roll Star” that features a hook that his five-year-old daughter Ramona came up with.
“She just started singing it and I immediately screeched to a halt whatever I was doing and listened and started banging it away on the piano,” says Andreas. “It’s such a catchy little hook!”
Andreas’ advice to parents who want their kids to find a creative outlet is, first and foremost, let them breathe and have room to find their own passion. And once you see their passion, nurture it!
“Kids will have their own spark and their own interest, and you can pick up on that,” he says. “If you do see a spark, and a genuine interest, I say feed it!”
In this episode of Confetti Park, New Orleans-based trombonist Dr. David Phy shares early music memories of learning how to read sheet music with his dad.
David is a professional musician who has performed with national acts and jazz artists such as The 4 Tops, The Temptations, Bonerama, Delfeyo Marsalis, The Yin Yang Twins, Chip McNeil, Louis Belson, Lena Prima, Louis Prima Jr., Charo, and the Dukes of Dixieland. He has taught at Tulane University, University of New Orleans and Delgado Community College in New Orleans.
David grew up in a musical household. His father was a professional pianist, organist, and teacher. His role as church organist led to David’ earliest interactions with written music.
Says David: “Growing up, my father was the church organist. At the end of church, there is always the postlude, where there’s a nice big organ fanfare piece, as people are supposed to go out into the world and carry on the philosophy of the sermon.
I remember I used to run up the stairs to the church loft where he would be playing organ, and he would need me to turn pages for him.
As he said ‘Turn the page,’ I knew that he would be starting at the top…so though I couldn’t read music…I kind of started following along.
I would play a game with myself, to think, ‘I bet, as I’m following along with my eyes, I can guess roughly when he needs me to turn the page….’ That was one of my earliest moments with music.”
David explains how these early experiences led him to playing in high school, college, cruise ships, Vegas, and now, New Orleans!
Isn’t it wonderful how these childhood musical interactions with his father led to a full, lifelong career in music? Thanks for sharing your memory, Dr. Dave!
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
And here are Confetti Park Players Eleanor and Manele Anika with their original poems.
The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!
Minnie Maude Carter Boston, born in Nathan, Ark., August 18, 1888.
A very long time ago, my great-grandmother Minnie Carter Boston shared for posterity some of her memories of life growing up in rural Arkansas in the late 1800s, in the piney woods and rolling hills. Her daughter-in-law (and my grandmother) Gypsy Damaris Petty Boston transcribed the memories while they lived in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Arkansas is part of an eroded lamproite volcanic pipe, which has caused diamonds to rise to the surface. I don’t understand all the geological processes, but there really are diamonds to be found on the ground in Arkansas. There is even a mining field called Crater of Diamonds that is open to the public, where you can go with your shovel, bucket and screen kit and hunt for diamonds under the hot, hot sun. You keep what you find!
The story goes that when Minnie was growing up, they regularly encountered the rough uncut stones in their yard, and never knew that they were playing with precious gemstones. So many people in the region were poor farmers and loggers—oh, the irony! How different their lives would have been had they recognized the diamonds in the rough (and knew where to trade them!).
Minnie Carter printed up her memories in a little book and called it I Played With Diamonds. In the forward, she dedicates it to her grandchildren:
“This booklet has especially been written for you. You have the story of my childhood days in the first ten years of my life.”
You won’t find this collection of family stories, childhood adventures, descriptions of country life or particular people on any library shelf (that I am aware of), but there are a few dozen copies out there. I have one, and to me, it is as precious as any diamond.
Within it are essays with colorful titles such as “Bath Facilities,” “Hog Killing Time,” “An Ash Hopper and How to Make Soap,” and “My First and Last Dip of Snuff.” The book is delightful, sweet, entertaining, and shows the great warmth and love her family. It’s also a marvelous snapshot of a time before industrialization, telephones, television, and Internet. It seems so very long ago.
Here is the opening of the book, narrated by New Orleans schoolteacher Catherine Golden. It is a description of the house that Minnie grew up in… it sets the scene for the stories that will follow, about the family, friends and neighbors of little Minnie Carter. The second segment is “My First Shopping Trip,” in which Minnie must trade an old hen to afford a birthday present.
I hope you enjoy this booklet, which I will share in segments over time.
P.S. Consider writing a memoir for your future grandchildren, by documenting the experiences of your childhood!
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
Minnie Carter printed up her memories in a little book and called it I Played With Diamonds. In the forward, she dedicates it to her grandchildren: