Conceived and created in 2002, Ponderosa Stomp is a music festival dedicated to the unsung heroes of American roots music. The annual event is a rocking showcase of jazz, soul, funk, rockabilly, R&B and swamp-pop combined into two days of non-stop jamming.
Put together by the New Orleans-based non-profit group Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau, Ponderosa Stomp is held every year in the heart of New Orleans. Dr. Ike, a.k.a. Ira Padnos, is one of the founders; he visits host David Dye on World Cafe to help celebrate some of the greatest influences on rock 'n' roll.
Dr. Ike explains how the purpose of Ponderosa Stomp is to "celebrate, pay tribute to and teach the cultural significance of the unsung heroes and heroines of rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, and other forms of American roots music while they are still alive." Ponderosa Stomp features styles as varied as that of Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, The Rolling Stones, The Ramones and The Velvet Underground.
The Ponderosa Stomp relies on donor support to continue its work. To make a secure online donation, visit www.ponderosastompfoundation.org.
Copyright 2009 XPN