Wow. What a week and a half it was.
After staying in the most luxurious of motels Baton Rouge had to offer, the Baressi crew made their way to the Big Easy. We parked Uncle P on the outskirts of the French Quarter, and plunged into New Orleans. After an afternoon of Bourbon St. and Beignets, as the sun was beginning to set, we returned to the van’s trailer to procure our instruments. What happened next is known as “busking.” To those not familiar with the term, it means simply to walk around an urban area with instruments and play for anyone willing to listen. And that’s exactly what we did. We had a blast with it. A mobile Star & Micey is a dangerous one, taking over street corner after street corner. After the sun went down – and Adam broken his accordion strap – we convened back at Uncle P, who toted us up to the Garden District for our laid back gig at Neutral Ground Coffeehouse. There we were greeted with many members of our Bay St. Louis family – an always-welcome sight. We left New Orleans stamped with Star & Micey’s unique and unforgettable seal.
The next day, we headed north towards Lafayette and its Blue Moon Saloon. The venue was one of the best we encountered on the whole tour. Situated on a gigantic outdoor patio, the stage area was filled with great, enthusiastic folks and the tones of a fantastic sound system. Star & Micey opened for two renowned local Lafayette bands: Feufollet and Pine Leaf Boys. We had the opportunity of setting the energetic mood that these bands continued during their sets. It may have been the swirliest evening of the whole tour. None of us could have thought of better circumstances on which to end our stint in the Gulf Coast.
On Sunday, ten days after we had left for the Gulf, we were headed home. We made a lifetime of memories that seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Against all odds, Uncle P’s rusty joints returned us safely to Midtown, Memphis – a bittersweet moment for us all.
This was my first tour with Star & Micey, and pray it is not my last. Everyone involved said it was the most fun and successful one they had ever been on. It has been an absolute honor, privilege, and delight to be part of this outstanding and thoroughly enriching experience. I cannot thank everyone enough – Josh, Geoff, Nick, Jeremy, Adam, Jessie, Aron, Steve and the family, the people of Bay St. Louis, and everyone at Ardent.
Now hear this – after having lived, breathed, slept, and coexisted with these people for the past ten days, I have witnessed such undying passion, desire, determination, and talent that I have never seen elsewhere. Star & Micey are at their best, and only continue to get better. The wheels are in motion, folks. The Baressi Crew is going places, and going there fast.
As always, swirl on…
Eternal love from Star & Micey
-Connor Crawford
