I'm glad to see so many responses regarding one of my favorite artists. Snooks is the *most* amazing fingerpicker, and as a performer he is in a league with Louis Armstrong for warmth and humor to match his virtuosity. Plus which, he makes it absolutely impossible to stand still while he's playing, much like his departed buddy, Henry Roeland "Professor Longhair" Byrd.

He's still alive and kicking in the New Orleans area, and gigging about once a month or so (most often at the legendary Mid-Ciuty Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl on Saturday nights -- including night before last). He lives relatively far out of town (in St. Rose) and, being blind, relies on his wife Dee to drive him to jobs. That's probably why he doesn't appear more often, or in more different venues. Also, I think he's still doing at least one international tour a year, and he always appears live on the radio for closing night of the semi-annual fund drive for WWOZ, clowning and cutting up as well as playing his ass off. That would be on a Wednesday night, 7-10pm Central time, once a year in April shortly before JazzFest and once in October. For details on dates, and for the live broadcast, check out:

http://www.wwoz.org

No telling how much longer Snooks will be with us, so if you have *any* opportunity to check him out in person, on tour or in New Orleans, do yourself a favor and don't miss him.

PS -- Offbeat magazine is a good idea -- let me second that suggestion.