The Pontchartrain Shakers

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

Southland Records

The Pontchartrain Shakers are a Louisiana blues band formed in 2018, known for vibrant performances that blend original material with classic blues while weaving in the many musical flavors of Louisiana. The group centers around fifth-generation musician Amedee Frederick and guitarist Jojo Wright, both of whom bring deep musical roots from southeast Louisiana. Their self-titled debut album, released in April 2024, introduced listeners to a sound built on family tradition, local culture, and a strong commitment to keeping blues alive in their community. In a short time, the band has become a favorite across the New Orleans area, earning a reputation for energetic live performances that reflect both musical passion and community spirit.

The lineup features Amedee Frederick “A5” on vocals and guitar, Jojo Wright on vocals and guitar, Red DeVecca on bass, and Earl Smith Jr. on drums. Special guests include Amedee “The Creole Blues Man” Frederick IV on vocals and guitar, along with a horn section made up of Jamie Wright on cornet, Heidi Wright on trombone, and Mike Loupe on alto saxophone. The album was engineered by Tom Gillis Jr. and recorded at Rabadash Studios in Mandeville, Louisiana. Jojo Wright handled production, while Lars Edegran served as executive producer. The record contains six originals written by Amedee Frederick and Jojo Wright, along with four carefully chosen covers.

The album opens with “Sunshine,” featuring two generations of the Frederick family sharing vocals, immediately establishing the warm, family-centered spirit that runs through the project. The performance has the loose, welcoming feel of musicians gathered in a room simply enjoying the moment together.

On “Don’t Ask Me How I’m Doing,” the band continues with a relaxed but emotionally grounded groove, letting the vocal interplay and steady rhythm section carry the song’s conversational tone.

A rearranged version of the traditional “St. James Infirmary” follows, expanded with horn arrangements that give the classic song a fresh New Orleans flavor while preserving its timeless melancholy.

Four more originals follow. “Lucy Mae” strips things down into an acoustic setting, allowing the song’s intimacy to come forward. “You Amaze Me” plays like a heartfelt marriage proposal, warm and sincere in tone. “Going to Kentucky” reflects the spirit of travel and storytelling, inspired by a trip to Mammoth Cave, while “Christmas in New Orleans” captures that unique local moment when tourists briefly disappear before the city fills again for New Year’s celebrations.

The album closes with three well-chosen covers. “Freight Train,” written by Elizabeth Cotten, is given a rootsy treatment that honors its folk-blues origins. “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” the William Bell soul classic, brings another shade of southern feeling into the mix. Finally, R.L. Burnside’s “Jumper on the Line” closes the record with raw, earthy energy.

These songs were recorded much like a family gathering—live in one sitting, with only one short additional session to add the horns. Everyone played together in a single room at a studio located just ten minutes from home, capturing the natural chemistry of a regular live performance. The main session took place on May 8, 2025, and that immediacy can be heard throughout the record.

An unusual historical footnote adds another layer of intrigue: Rome has now elected an American pope with Creole heritage and roots connected to New Orleans. The Frederick family notes that both Amedee and the Pope share Creole ancestry and the same surname. Distant cousins? Perhaps. In Louisiana, stranger things have happened.

Richard Ludmerer

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