Singer, Songwriter, playwright Paul Sanchez describes Fat City as “a polyester Bourbon Street.”

Paul used to play in a band called Godot in Fat City back in the 1970’s. Being in an artsy new wave band that made musical references to French literature didn’t get you laid back then. Paul says, though, that he sometimes went home with a woman – who slept with someone else.

The reason this conversation even gets started is because Cherie Melancon Franz – the creator of Thinkerella – mentions she doesn’t know where the Cajun Melancon comes from in her family because she is adopted. Her birth mother found her when Cherie was 21 and apparently told her that she was conceived in Fat City one night after mom “met a guy.” After some mild deliberation it doesn’t look, however, like Paul Sanchez is Cherie Melancon Franz’s dad.

In case Cajun names get confusing and you don’t know your Melancon from your Molaison, Paul brought along singer songwriter Justin Malaison to help him sing a song off his album, Between Friends. There’s an amazing story behind Paul’s latest album, Life Is A Ride, that will tug at your heartstrings for sure.

If you’re in the market for beautiful songs, Andrew Duhon can help you out with his newest, Down From The Mountain. As you’ll hear, there is an interesting reason this song may never make it onto an album so listen up. It really is a gorgeous piece of music with evocative lyrics that take you to the mountain.

Mark Owens is not Cherie Melancon’s father either though he is also adopted. Mark owns arguably the grooviest gym in New Orleans, Prime Fitness RX. As well as smelling like a eucalyptus forest, the place looks and feels like you’re somewhere else. Somewhere where they throw lots of money into making a gym hip. Just ask Dave Chapelle, Hugh Jackman, and a bunch of other about-as-cool-as-you-can-get tourists who like to work out.

Photos at Wayfare by Alison Moon.