The Ramblin' Letters: News

The Ramblin' Letters performed live on the BBC Friday June 4, 2010 at the University of New Orleans at a forum on the Gulf oil disaster. They performed a part of their reworked version of the John Prine tune Paradise, which they call Sportsman's Paradise or sometimes Paradise Lost. Among distinguished guests at the forum were actor Harry Shearer and local braodcaster Garland Robinette. Harry Shearer joined the Ramblin' Letters on bass in a pre forum jam(see the photo gallery.) Michael was interviewed briefly by Robyn Bresnahan of the BBC and represented the Ramblin' Letters and south Louisiana well by most accounts. It was estimated that 193 million people listened in to the live broadcast. Below is a link where you can hear the entire BBC broadcast of the forum and another link to the BBC's photos from the forum.

http://michaelmillet.com/publicfiles/BBC_forum.mp3

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbc_whys/sets/72157624095479603/

The Ramblin' Letters went into the recording studio in New Orleans to record Sportsman's Paradise(aka Paradise Lost), their reworking of the John Prine song Paradise, related to the Gulf oil spill. While in the studio, the also recorded another original tune, My Soul's Got a Ways to Go. Below are link to both tunes. They can also be found on the music page(with lyrics) of this website.

http://michaelmillet.com/publicfiles/Sportsman_s_Paradise.mp3

http://michaelmillet.com/publicfiles/My_Soul_s_Gotta_Ways_to_Go.mp3

Michael was interview by Robyn Bresnahan of the BBC at the oil spill raly in the French Quarter Sun 5-30-10. The interview appeared on the BBC World Newshour that day. Below is an mp3 of the interview.

http://michaelmillet.com/publicfiles/BBC_Newshour.mp3

The Ramblin' Letters performed live on WWOZ on MAy 30, 2010 on the Old time Country and Bluegrass show hosted by Hazel the Delta Rambler. They played their reworking of the John Prine tune Paradise which they call Sportsman's Paradise after the Louisiana slogan. They also performed other originals such as "My Soul's Gotta a Ways to Go" and "Its Gonna Take More than Water" before closing the set with the old bluegrass standard "My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains." They were contacted by the BBC while still in the WWOZ studio to appear on a live broadcast on the BBC of a forum on the Gulf oil spill at the University of New Orleans later that week. Hoping to have a link to the WWOZ session posted in the near future.

Michael performed for at UNO Performing Arts Center Recital Hall for the senior recital of percussionist Josh Crist. Performing wth Michael and Josh was Ms. Angelina Davis. Angelina has sung for Pope John Paul II. Josh Crist has studied under Jason Marsallis and Troy Davis, is a member of many local bands and ensembles, including Casa Samba, and last but not least, is Michael's first cousin. 

Michael was hired by fiddle great Gina Forsyth to accompany her on a recording of her orginal composition "Sparrows." The song is slated to be on Ms. Forsyth's upcoming cd. Michael says he was "honored" to be asked to sit in on the recording.

The Ramblin' Letters opened for the Honey Island Swamp Band Friday Nov.13, 2009 at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen in the Marigny in New Orleans. The Ramblin' Letters are very thankful for HSIB and the Blue Nile for including them in a happening night of fun loving music.

Michael played at the Ruby Slipper in Mid City from 7-9pm for a fundraiser for city council candidate Virgina Blanque.

Michael accompanied fiddle great Gina Forsyth for an evening of fiddle tunes and mountain music. Below is a press release taken from www.southernfood.org.

Beatin' Biscuits and Bourbon Sippin' 

Sunday, November 1, 2009   4 P.M. to 6 P.M.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum, , Edward Johnston and Carolyn T. Pearce Tasting Room

Come enjoy a relaxing Sunday evening of traditional beaten biscuits, country ham, and bourbon. Gina Forsyth and Michael Millet will be performing bluegrass/mountain music to further set the mood! Author John Egerton and his nephew John Egerton will present a fascinating glimpse into Southern culinary history. You will have your chance to turn the crank to “beat” the biscuits, and then you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor paired up with delicious ham and smooth bourbon.

The Ramblin Letters opened for the Honey Island Swamp Band at a party in the Garden District Sat Oct 17th. The Ramblin Letters are John Norwood on dobro and mandolin, Dan Cutler on bass, and Michael on guitar. They all sing, a lot of 3 part harmonies. Bluegrass, blugrass gospel, old time country. All kinds of music.

The Honey Island Swamp Band is one of  New Orleans hottest bands. Having recently returned from an east coast tour, HISB is headed back east for a series of dates around Halloween. Sitting in with HISB on bass this evening was Rob Schafer, who played bass on Hard Times on the Bayou and at the Abita Springs Opry. HISB played later that evening at Le Bon Temps.

Michael performed on WWOZ on the Old Time Country and Bluegrass program hosted by Hazel the Delta Rambler for the WWOZ pledge drive.

"Thank you Mike for coming in to the station.  I will work on getting a copy to you.  Come back soon. Everyone loved your song Hard Times on the Bayou, brought tears to the eyes, tears of pain and tears of laughter, that's life"                                      -Hazel the Delta Rambler

Michael performed for Voices of the Big Easy, a musical avante guard circus which brought the funky New Orleans vibe to the Dragon’s Den Saturday October 3rd. Chuck Perkins lead the charge with legendary Red Morgan featured on Saxophone. Wildman Ivory, Spyboy Honey and Flagboy Skeeta kept it real.

Michael's 2nd CD "Hard Times on the Bayou" was released at the Abita Springs Opry this past Sat.Sept. 19,2009. The CD was recorded over a 4 day span in early Aug. A whole bunch of people helped Michael out in this endeavor, and he is thankful to all of them.

Michael was joined on stage at the Abita Springs Opry by Ms. Gina Forsyth, the"Queen of the Cajun fiddle", Pat Flory, who began the Opry back in the 90s on mandolin, Zen Crook, who has played with Mearle Travis, Charlie Louvin, and Glen Campbell on banjo, and my good friends Rob Schafer on upright bass and Geoff Coats on resonator guitar, both from the great state of Virginia.  

I know the first thought that comes to mind when you think of New Orleans music may not be bluegrass, but we have a pretty good thing going at the Hi Ho Lounge on Monday nights starting around 8pm. There are a steady group of players, lead by Pat"Monroe of the Hi Ho' Flory, who attend regularly, as well as other great players from Nashville and other parts who drop in from time to time. Bring your instuments as all are welcome to play along, and your hunger... the Hi Ho also serves red beans on Monday nights for a dollar all you can eat, til it runs out...Red beans, white rice, bluegrass...a patriotic way to spend the evening to say the least.