New Orleans Set

New Orleans is a source of inspiration for me as a songwriter and perspiration for me as a human.  From the Maple Leaf Bar to the Monteleone Hotel; from the Garden District to the Marigny; from the Mississippi to Magazine and beyond, New Orleans and its people have welcomed me, cheered me up, shown me the blues and helped me pay some dues. 
 
These songs have come from my lifelong love affair with the city and my friends there. 
Growing up so close to New Orleans in Mississippi, I can’t remember when the city was not a part of my life.  These songs span a twenty-five year period, beginning with The Camellia Grill in 1983 right up to Smile Upon Your Soul, in 2008. 
 
Another song well-worth mentioning is Pray for New Orleans.  Jim Sparks approached me with his great idea in 1999 and that’s when we wrote it, six years before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Coast and flooded the Crescent City.  Everyone from that part of the country knew
It was always a matter of when, not if, a storm like that would come.
 
Mackinac Blues and Tourist in a Rental Car are not about New Orleans but I always play them when I perform there.  Besides, New Orleans has its share of tourists in rental cars, too!
 
Thanks for listening and to the musicians who brought these tunes to life. 
Catch you ‘round the Quarter,  Les

QUOTES FROM REVIEWS OF NEW ORLEANS SET:

   Kerr excels as both a vocalist and guitarist while working with either small combos or larger groups. While some numbers also feature co-writing contributions from either Jim Sparks or Stephen Lee Veal, New Orleans Set again puts the compositional and musical flair of Les Kerr squarely in the spotlight. Ron Wynn, Nashville City Paper

These songs touch on everything associated with that part of the country, and they’re guaranteed to bring a smile, and maybe a tear or two along the way…He’s a master of taking everyday slices of life and setting them to music, and his love for New Orleans has been an inspiration for some of his best works.  Get a copy of “New Orleans Set,” and “laissez les bon temps roulette – let the good times roll!” Don Crow, Music City Blues Society

New Orleans Set will leave you searching for a reason to (re)visit New Orleans and explore this grand southern city...You will find it tells plenty of tales about...its people and lifestyles.  Les is a superb musician and songwriter. Jan Duke, About.Com, Nashville

We absolutely love every cut…Since all the songs are written by Les, you can rest assured the messages in song are authentic. It really gets local with hearing Camellia Grill, Streetcar in the Rain, New Orleans in the Spring, Jingle Bells (Christmas in New Orleans) and the ever popular Café Dumond.  Chuck Chellman, Songwriters Parade

New Orleans Set CD design and liner notes © 2008 by Les Kerr