Stepping Onstage
When I get ready to step onstage and play, I definitely have that mentality of “I'm John Papa Gros and I play Hammond organ and piano and I'm gonna play some New Orleans music for you, right now.” And I'm really serious about it. And that’s when the fun begins.
A Special Connection
Being a native New Orleanian has been an honor and a responsibility, especially as a musician. As a child, I grew up in Baton Rouge, 80 miles upriver from New Orleans. I was lucky enough to have New Orleans as a second home, because my Mom would bring me to stay at my...
There Is Always Music
You can't escape it here. Birthday parties. Funerals. Family gatherings. Mardi Gras. You name it, there's always music circling around whatever we're doing in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras
When I was writing "Mardi Gras" with my songwriting partner, Mark Carson, I said there are three things I love about Mardi Gras. 1) Catching the parades. 2) Watching Big Chief Monk Boudreaux show his feathers and colors on Mardi Gras day. 3) Parading with the Society...
When Craziness Becomes The Norm
About the song "Cocaine and Chicken Fricassée" - My previous band, Papa Grows Funk, played on Monday nights for 13 years. Over the course of those years, I saw all kinds of crazy things. I saw so much that that type of craziness becomes the norm. So, when something...
A Real Live Show Announcement!
The 17 year Bacchus Sunday, FUNK N CHANT tradition continues! John "Papa" Gros with special guest, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, will play live outside at Southport Hall Hall on Bacchus Sunday, February 14th. In lieu of parades, I've got the tunes and grooves to catapult...
Make People Feel Special
When I was in college, I played at a neighborhood bar called Bonne Terre's Lounge in New Orleans East with Rockin' Jerry & the Spice of Life Band. And we covered everything from Elvis Presley to Led Zeppelin, Prince, all the hits of the day, classic New Orleans...
Central City Vinyl is HERE
John "Papa" Gros Central City Vinyl LP Central City vinyl is a 12" LP, 33 1/3 rpm, 180 gram record pressed locally at New Orleans Record Press. With each purchase, you will receive a FREE link to download the Central City Digital Booklet, containing song lyrics and...
GroSTREAM #8: Back Room Session
I'm GroSTREAMing.... John "Papa" GroSTREAM Saturday, May 30th 8pm (CST). I'll be in the Back Room doing the do. The stream will be broadcast from the John Papa Gros facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/JohnPapaGros/live/ This week I would have been playing a solo...