Ogden After Hours: Joe Clay, In Collaboration With Ponderosa Stomp Foundation

Joe Clay is one of New Orleans' living treasures with a career that stretches back to 1951, when he began performing at the age of 12 in a local country band. Almost 60 years later, he is best known for his rockabilly sides but a deeper look at his career reveals a lifelong love of New Orleans R&B, swamp pop and the country music that started his journey. After making a splash with now classic rockabilly tunes like "Duck Tail", "Sixteen Chicks", "Cracker Jack" and "Get On The Right Track" in the mid-50s, Joe played the Ed Sullivan Show (in advance of Elvis). As rockabilly began to decline in popularity, Joe Clay retired his 'Joe Clay' persona and began playing 6 nights a week on Bourbon Street under his given name, CJ Cheramie. In 1960 Joe recorded some brilliant swamp pop songs under the moniker Russ Wayne on the obscure label New Orleans label Samter. The session took place at Cosimo's studio and featured Mac Rebennack.
On Thursday, December 10th, Joe Clay will perform at the Ogden Museum's After Hours, in addition to his well-known tunes, he will perform his Russ Wayne sides for the first time in decades. In addition to two sets, he'll sit for a live oral history and share his wealth of fascinating stories. The event is free to Ogden Museum members and $10 for non-members. Drinks are served and wandering the museum is also encouraged. New Orleans is notorious for music in the wee hours, but After Hours runs from 6-8pm, so even early bird music fans can participate.
Location: Throughout the Ogden Museum's Stephen Goldring Hall