The NOLADrinks Show – 2-1-18 – Musician Marc Stone and Speed Rack

On this edition of the NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we talk with local musician, Marc Stone. Marc is a bridge to the past all while looking forward to the future of the New Orleans music scene. We also cover the terrific all-female bartender competition and breast cancer fundraiser, Speed Rack.

Pictured above from left – Marc Stone, New Orleans musician, and Bryan Dias of NOLADrinks.

The NOLADrinks Show – 2-1-18 – Musician Marc Stone and Speed Rack

We start things off talking about the show and a bit on the upcoming first full weekend of Mardi Gras. We tee-up our chat with local musician, Marc Stone, and our coverage of Speed Rack.

Then, we have our featured interview with good friend and great musician Marc Stone. We talk about Marc’s career and his musical journey in New Orleans that started 25 years ago. We touch on some of the great people with whom he has played including Eddie Bo and Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. among many others.

We also talk about his musical roots and influences starting out playing on the streets and now, today, leading his own group – the Marc Stone Band. At the time of this broadcast, Marc is in the midst of a residency at the Little Gem Saloon, a fine musical venue and restaurant located in the historically important neighborhood sometimes referred to as “Backatown.” The connection to music and history of jazz is in this area is a touchstone for all American music. We even discuss on the Roffignac Cocktail!

Next, we cover some beverage news and also discuss a proposal in New Hampshire to lower the drinking age in certain circumstances. We share some thoughts on this, the legal drinking age in the States, and compare this country’s age of 21 to that of other nations.

We move to our coverage of the Speed Rack event that took place in New Orleans earlier in the week at the famed music venue The Howlin’ Wolf. The event, which is an all-female bartender competition, is also a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and research. This was the first time in its seven seasons that Speed Rack has been held in New Orleans. This was their southern regional event with the eventual winner moving on to the national finals in Chicago in the spring.

We interview the event founders and organizers, Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix, who let us know about how it works and how Speed Rack came to be. We then chat, right after the last round, with the two finalists – New Orleans’ Anna Giordano and Austin’s Madelyn Kay (the overall winner.)

It was a terrific event with a strong showing by the women of team New Orleans which placed four competitors in the final eight. Special shout out to all the participants as well as to the many volunteers from the NOLA bar and hospitality industry that made Speed Rack possible!

We close things out talking about the Super Bowl including a discussion of the food consumed and money spent. After Thanksgiving, more food is consumed that day in the U.S. than any other day of the year!

Below the map that shows the location of The Little Gem Saloon and The Howlin’ Wolf, you can subscribe to, stream, and download the NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias podcast…

Cheers, You All!

~ Bryan