I'd like to take a quiet moment to acknowledge the anniversary of James Booker's passing. Thirty years ago today, on November 8th, 1983, James Booker was found dead in a wheelchair in the waiting room of Charity Hospital.



A lot has changed in those thirty years - Big Charity is gone, many of the musicians of that generation are gone, the music scene he knew are gone - but James Booker's music remains. And the music of New Orleans remains.



Let today be a celebration of James Booker. Play his music in your office. Share a CD with a friend. Tell your friends your favorite Booker story. Take a minute to think about what his music means to you.



And in celebrating both the man and his music, maybe we can also take a moment to reflect on the New Orleans of today. How can we ensure that the next generation of musicians will have access to the same rich musical tradition that Booker did? Will there be pianos in schools? Will there be teachers around to teach? Will there be the tight network of neighbors, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends around to encourage the next generation to keep practicing?



And once these kids grow into adults, will there be support for them? Financial, emotional, and medical support? Bethany Bultman once told me that James Booker was a major inspiration in founding the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. That maybe had there been a clinic around back then, Booker wouldn't have been found dead, waiting for treatment.



What can we, as fans, friends, and music lovers, do to make sure that the next James Booker will live past 43?



OK. I'm getting off my pulpit now so I can go listen to some records!



Love,



Lily