Exploring Songs Live
It's fun exploring songs live. They have to live and breathe every time. We can't just play them by rote. The search to find new ways to make them fresh each and every night is a reward in itself.
Songwriting With The Piano
Before "River’s on Fire", it had been a long time since I had done any songwriting on the piano. Previously, I had done most of my songwriting on guitar. I found that it forced me to focus on simpler chord choices and arrangements. The piano allows me the luxury to...
Prep Work
If I’m doing a two hour show, I spend 22 hours a day mentally and physically preparing to give my all for those two hours. That's whether I’m driving or flying across the country, sleeping and / or resting at my house or hotel, or whatever I need to be doing. But 22...
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...