For over 30 years, The legendary New Orleans Dew Drop Inn served as a cultural and musical hub for Black entertainers and played an important role in the struggle for civil rights. “The Drop” was instrumental in helping to launch the careers of New Orleans artists such as Roy Brown, Fats Domino, Deacon John & the Ivories, Earl King, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint and many others. It was also an essential stop for the Chitlin Circuit, attracting legends like Bobby “Blue” Bland, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Little Richard, James Brown, and Etta James.
Despite restrictive Jim Crow Laws, Dew Drop’s owner Frank Pania believed that black and white guests and musicians should be allowed in his club. Tired of the police raids and arrests, Pania hired renowned lawyer A.P Tureaud to sue the city, winning a victory that helped lead to the desegregation of all New Orleans bars and restaurants.
Following years of decline and significant damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the club/hotel was restored – opening its doors in 2004, offering a new generation of artists a place to perform in the iconic venue.
Producer: Cilista Eberle
Producer: Michael Murphy
Co-Producer: Jim Moriarty
Editor: Lenny Delbert, Sr.
Written and Directed by: Michael Murphy
Director of Photography: Lenny Delbert Sr..
Post Production Supervisor: Cilista Eberle
Camera Operator: Emma Reid
Additional Camera: Owen Murphy Jr.
Grip: Steven Patriquin
Technical Supervisor: Michael Kailer
Interviewers: Cilista Eberle, Michael Murphy, Jonathan McHugh, Paul Siegel
Camera: (Terence Blanchard): Jordan Rennert
Camera: (Terence Blanchard): Mark Moore
Audio and remix: (Irma Thomas): Michael Montero, Matthew Shilling
Music Curator: Michael Murphy
Music Clearance/ Licensing Supervisors, Loudspeaker Music Group: Lisa Moberly, Janet Rich
Music Supervision Associate: Valerie Joan Braaten
Research: Cilista Eberle, Michael Frierson, Michael Murphy
Production Assistants: Brooke Morales, Lamont Fleming, Noah DeBose, Claire Kantrow
APPEARANCES
Allen Toussaint, Composer, Arranger, Producer
Art & Aaron Neville, The Neville Brothers
Brent Leggs, President and CEO, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Charles Neville, Musician
Cosimo Matassa, Engineer, Co-founder J&M STudios
Curtis Doucette, Developer: Dew Drop Inn
Delfeayo Marsalis, Musician, Educator
Earl Palmer, Drummer
Irma Thomas, Vocalist
Kathe Hambrick, Executive Director, Amistad Research Center, Founder, River Road African American Museum
Ken Jackson, Grandson of Frank Pania
Little Richard, Musician
Lynette Dolliole Johnson, Cultural Historian
PJ Morton, Musician, Producer
Quiana Lynell, Vocalist
New Breed Brass Band
Reid Wick, Director of Regional Advocacy & Member Engagement | The Recording Academy
Roger Lewis, Musician, Co-founder, Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Sharonda Williams, J.D. Juris Prudence
Tanyell Quian: Actress, Actor & Emcee, The Dew Drop Inn
Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Vocalist, Poet
Terence Blanchard, Composer, Musician
