Congratulations to Mayor Ray Nagin

Posted by  mark

Congratulations Mayor Ray Nagin.

Now, where is our community development grant money so that we can rebuild our homes and move back to New Orleans?

Although you have made comments and campaigned in a way that has polarized New Orleans like I have never seen before, and you continue to make comments like the following that was reported by the AP, I am going to leave the comforts of Austin, disrupt my children’s lives once again, and try to come back to New Orleans this week. I will partially rebuild my home just enough to make it inhabitable, and continue to rebuild Basin Street Records.

I know that all of the problems aren’t your fault, and I have told many people that if I saw you I would give you a big hug and thank you for what you have been through. I put the most blame on our levee system…the poor design and the inadequate maintenance. At this point though, 9 months after the storm, more progress should have been made and you are the leader.

I grew up in New Orleans and when I moved away for college 25 years ago I never expected to return. I did return in 1989 and started BSR in 1997, and then never thought I would consider living anywhere else until your campaign. My children and I hope to be a part of the solution, but please stop making the problems worse.

Mayor Ray Nagin said he is not bothered by businesses that said they may leave the city if he was reelected to office. Nagin said, “Business people are predators, and if the economic opportunities are here, they’re going to stay. If not, they’re going to leave…God bless them. I hope they stay, but if they don’t I’ll send them a postcard.” Associated Press, New Orleans Times-Picayune 05/21/2006

New Orleans Music in Exile premieres Friday, May 19th

Posted by  mark

Robert Mugge’s film, New Orleans Music in Exile, premiered on Starz in Black on Friday, May 19th but repeats many times in June. This film explores the post Katrina lives of many New Orleanians including Basin Street Records’ artists Kermit Ruffins, Theresa Andersson, Jon Cleary, BSR president Mark Samuels, and also Rebirth Brass Band, Cowboy Mouth, Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas and more. Check out the trailer featuring Theresa Andersson at http://www.starz.com.

AWARD to New Orleans Tourism and Marketing

Posted by  mark

New Orleans Tourism Marketing Receives Silver World Medal In Annual New York Festivals Competition

Click Here to Watch the Award-Winning Music Video
The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) was awarded a Silver World Medal in the New York Festivals’ Film & Video Showcase during its 49th International Television, Cinema & Radio Advertising competition held on the stage of the Hudson Theater in Times Square for “Do They Play Jazz in Heaven,” a three minute music video produced during the filming of NOTMC’s 2005 advertising campaign.
The video features Irvin Mayfield and members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra led as well as vocalist Ingrid Lucia. “Do They Play Jazz in Heaven” airs in local hotels on New Orleans TV. NOTMC also offers the tourism industry the use of the video for individual marketing efforts.
Lyrics by: Lori Archer (Peter A. Mayer Advertising Inc.)Music by: David Torkanowsky (local composer and musician extraordinaire) Filming + Editing by: Kenny Morrison (Morrison Productions)The video also features exclusively local New Orleans talent.
The entry was among 2,500 television and radio ads from 83 countries. The jury was composed of more than 100 creative directors representing 41 countries who chose the best in product as well as consumer advertising and public service advertising.
The 49-year-old New York Festivals produces six annual international awards competitions, including Film & Video. Entries are judged both in the United States and overseas by peers.