Happiness isn't something that you can find outside of yourself. It's something you've got to find inside of who you are and bring that to the world around you. - Fred

"There is always a special relationship between the drummer and bass player. What is it like to accompany Fred?”

Brian: Fred's a different kind of drummer because he's the front guy. So he's doing multiple jobs at one time. 

He's the lead singer. He's the drummer. And he's the conductor. He's not only conducting the band, but he is commanding the crowd. 

I think one of my important roles is holding down that solid foundation. He can do whatever he needs to do as long as that foundation's still there, running solid.

​I talk about enjoyment of life. But the joy of life depends on how you define it for yourself. Everybody has a different definition and that definition changes. 

What you enjoy when you're 20 is going to be different than when you're 30 or 40. The things that light up your soul, the things that make you who you are will change constantly. - Fred

​"No one in the room, however, jumps and wails more than the band's singer and drummer Fred LeBlanc whose insane energy makes every crowd an integral part of the show. He's like Animal from “The Muppet Show” except he can keep a steadier beat and chaining him to the stage would just be a good waste of chains." - Dallas Observer

​Being a creative person in general means you still have that nagging sense of wanting to move forward, of wanting to try something new. Performing live is a continual challenge. My favorite feeling is to walk off stage knowing I’ve given my personal, professional, emotional and spiritual best. - Fred

Mac, aka Dr John

   Last Thursday saw the passing of a true New Orleans original, Dr. John. There simply was no one else like him before, and there never will be after - which I consider to be the highest sort of compliment you can pay anyone in our line of work. Consciously or unconsciously, Mac (as he was known around town, a nickname from his given name of Malcolm) took all the little bits he experienced in life, threw ‘em in a pot, stirred ‘em up and created something completely new and fresh. Like I said, a true original.

    All the tributes that have come pouring in during the last few days are well earned and completely justified. Though never claiming to be a saint (quite the opposite in fact), he does indeed belong in the section of rock ‘n’ roll heaven reserved for only the New Orleans music greats. Anything I could add here would only be superfluous.

    Character or no, he always was who he was without edifice of any sort of practiced veneer. Once when running into him early in my band’s career, I was very surprised when he told me that he saw us and really enjoyed the band. “You guys were fawkin’ hilarious,“ he said with his deep Nola gravel. I took it as a complement knowing that if he hadn’t enjoyed us he wouldn’t have mentioned it at all. 

   He lived across the street from me for awhile in the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans and I used to see him come and go from time to time. Occasionally we would talk but mostly we would just nod in mutual acknowledgment.

   While the world seems to be at a time when all of the 20th century musical greats have either passed on or eventually will be in the process of doing so, it’s gratifying to know that the spirit of Mac Rebennack decided to stop in New Orleans for a good number of years and add his particular flavor to our local brand of space. We are all the better for it.
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    When my time comes to depart this life, I’m personally banking on the Good Lord having a very healthy sense of humor and loving all of His children despite our many missteps. Hearing Mac sing and play the piano, I think, only helps prove my point. 

Fred LeBlanc