NOLA x NOLA's Honored Guest or Victim?
NOLA x NOLA kicked off it's second year by once again showcasing a local celebrity roasting at Tipitina's. This year's honoree—or victim?—was Kermit Ruffins.
"I am so happy to not be up there tonight," said Tipitina's co-owner and Galactic drummer Stanton Moore who was the reluctant volunteer at NOLAxNOLA's inaugural roast in 2023. Taking the stage to introduce the evening's skewering, Moore welcomed the excited crowd and signaled the start of the roast by raising a glass in true Kermit Ruffins fashion, shouting, "All aboard!"
All Aboard
Emcee Brett Siddell came out swinging, saying, "Kermit is credited with waking up the jazz scene by founding Rebirth Brass Band, and then put it to sleep with his solo career."
He warmed up the crowd with observations such as, "his Treme Hideaway is where he hiding away the money," and "he has Kermit's Mother-In-Law Lounge which is ironic because he doesn't have a wife."
Ruffins literally fell out of his chair laughing.
Video tributes followed including Phil Frazier, Erion Williams, and author Jay Mazza who wrote Not Just Another Thursday Night: Kermit Ruffins and Vaughan's Lounge.
Mazza remembered asking Ruffins what he remembered most about Vaughn's. Ruffins had responded, "I don't remember yesterday."
Let the Roasting Begin
Tipitina's general manager Brian "Tank" Greenberg was the first to assume the dais with a ruthless series of jabs taking no prisoners even among the roasters. Not stopping there, he pivoted his stiletto-sharp humor at Irvin Mayfield and the Mother-In-Law Lounge with a rapid-fire assault that had the laughing audience and presenters alike gasping for breath.
Ruffins was heckling Derrick "Smoker" Freeman before the Soul Brass Band leader could even begin his attack. But Freeman's revenge was sharing sweetly hysterical road stories, including his youth being introduced to road gigs going "from New Orleans to Chattanooga in three-and-a-half hours, smoking weed and drinking Bud Lights through Mississippi and Alabama," as well as an incident when Kermit was instantly recognized—and immediately ejected—from an upscale hotel in Paris by a hotel GM because of his memorable behavior on a previous visit. Freeman said these experiences led him to ask, "is this what touring is like?"
Long-time friend DJ Davis Rogan shared stories of Ruffins, especially their respective characters on HBO's Treme. While DJ Davis's character was thinly veiled as "DJ Davis McAlary" as played by actor Steve Zahn, Rogan said, "Kermit tried to played himself. I mean, how do you need to try to play yourself?"
Rogan recognized the greatness of Rebirth from the beginning, noting Kermit "Show up late, a little drunk, and really stoned." Recounting a series of misadventures and narrow brushes with the law, Rogan concluded, "because of his endless charm and charisma, Kermits get away with everything!"
His polyprogenitive lifestyle was revisited multiple times by almost all the roasters.
Rodja Fields led the charge declaring "Kermit's got enough daughters to start a sorority." Fields' roast crossed some lines that Nikki Glaser might have avoided. Afterwards it was noted "Kermit even waved one off."
When they took the dais, even two of his his daughters blushed, one admitting, "I heard some stuff I did not know, and maybe should not know."
By that time, Ruffins was enjoying himself so much he confused Neshia and Christina Ruffins, and was unclear if he had six kids, or eighth. "When I go to see my kids, I just drive through the neighborhood and wave," he laughed.
Derrick Tabb of CNN Heroes was a surprise roaster.
"I have nothing bad to say about Kermit," he said taking the dias. "BUT…I never understood anything he says, but today I woke up to a TV commercial and finally understood: 'Mattress Direct!'"
Others selected to humorously humble the prolific trumpeter included Smiley Da Comedienne (as Mayor LaToya Cantrell), fellow Rebirth founder Kieth Frazier, "Big Sam" Williams, and NOLAxNOLA co-founder Sig Greenebaum who book-eneded the night.
Turning the Tables
"I am so blessed to not know anyone on this stage," Kermit's whispered in the microphone as he opened another beer.
But instead of eviscerating his friends, Ruffins instead told a series his jokes that are familiar to anyone who has seen his shows over the years, with his spot-on delivery still evoking laughs from his fanbase.
While this year's roast was supposed to feature Ivan Neville, Kermit Ruffins graciously—and some might say bravely—agreed to take the hot seat only two weeks earlier. With a recent series of unexpected events, Neville decided to withdraw this season. Tipitina's hopes to reschedule Neville's roast for the NOLAxNOLA kickoff in September 2025. Get your knives out.
