Wing Music

YOU MUST CHECK THIS OUT!!!!

www.wingmusic.co.nz

This is the way we fix our streets, fix our streets, fix our streets...

As any of you who have visited this fine city know, our roads leave something to be desired...this is Pre-K, Post-K...just part of life. People are being very creative to mark the potholes, in hopes of helping the next person avoid cracking an axel. Following are pictures of an ongoing project some of my neighbors have started.

What? Never seen a ROAD SCARECROW before?

Photos for Friends, Part II

I am getting a good response from people who are lucky enough to still have their photos. So, this brought on the next part of the equation I forgot to mention...

All of you who lost photos, please let me know if you are looking for specific time periods, different people...anything. I plan on organizing the photos in sort of intelligible fashion, so that you can peruse the library and pick which photos you want.

Don't be afraid to ask for ANYTHING...I know you people...YOU ARE NOT PUTTING anyONE OUT, YOU ARE NOT A BURDEN!!

this is something I am going to do...might as well take advantage of it!!

loveyameanit,

robin

Letter from Michael Hapes

I recently received a letter Michael Hapes wrote to his friends a couple of days before his death. Out of respect to Michael, his family, and his friends, I will not be posting it to this blog. However, if you would like me to receive a copy, please let me know.

Michael Hapes...in his element


Reminder...Saturday, October 28, 2006, Gulfport...Michael Hapes Memorial Service

Note from Toni Hapes Lunsford concerning the Michael Hapes Memorial

On Saturday, October 28th at 1:00pm, there will be a Memorial Service for Mike Hapes, on the slab where St. Mark's Episcopal Church was located on 16th Street in Gulfport (I will forward the exact address later). So much time has passed since his death, but as most of you know and have experienced first hand, the circumstances have not been easy. Mike loved his friends, his family and his music and yet we have not been able to bring all of them together. Hopefully now we can.

I hope that if you are in the area, you will be able to attend. The service will short and then we can take sometime to visit with one another. There will be a tent if the weather does not cooperate. It is my understanding that hotel room availability is very limited, as are restaurants, etc., so for right now. We are putting it together piece by piece.

Let me or Patti know if you think you'll be able to attend. We have talked with many of you via phone and email and it would be wonderful to put faces to the people Mike called his friends.

Toni Hapes Lunsford
336 Driftwood Ct
Azle, TX 76020
817-300-3208
lunsfordts@aol.com

Patti Hapes Roberts
12342 Oakland
Gulfport, MS 39503
228-326-0975
patriciadr@aol.com

Michael Kohn

Michael Kohn was in the Crescent City for the Saints game. These pictures are the aftermath on Tuesday...we tried to motivate to the Leaf for Rebirth, but just couldn't do it.
Visiting Marcus, contemplating the feasibility of Rebirth

He's going down!

Gone!!!

Look out...PROGRESS?!?!

Here we go...condos are starting to pop up fast on the MS Gulf Coast. Yes, houses are going up in places, but look for condos and casinos to be the wave of the future.

This condo complex near DeBuys Road (where the Alamo Plaza used to be) was being built as Katrina rolled in. The structure itself survived. Even though construction is not complete, people are moving in as units are completed.

Another shot of the complex near DeBuys Road

This complex at Cowan Road (where Wet Willie's used to be) was in the works before the storm.

This complex is being erected by the mall.

Another shot of the complex by the mall

Always Polite!

Now, ain't this just the sweetest sign you ever did see? The Beach Department is worried about visitors thinking we're messy!

Oh, shoot! We should've cleaned up before you came to visit!

The beach is actually very clean these days...marine and beach cleanup is going nicely.

Barry Byrd & da Saints (Knuckleheads Unite!)

Monday found many friends back together again at Riemann Funeral Home on Beauvoir in Biloxi. Tuesday for Clyde Holloman, then, Monday for Barry Byrd. The service for Barry was very quick. Forrest and the rest of the pallbearers giggled through the entire thing. Windy Swetman was our "police" escort and he seemed to have a blast roarin' up Hwy. 90...the entire TWO blocks that we had to go...Thanks, Windy!

Barry was laid to rest at Southern Memorial Park with a great view of the Gulf. R.I.P. Barry

Many of us ventured over to Forrest's for the Saints game. Man, was that FUN!! Watching U2 with my peeps...yeah, you right!

Geaux SAINTS!! And, GO, LORI CAVAGNARO!! I saw her fabulous smile on ESPN!!

Mark and Karen Smith made it in from Atlanta in time for the game...YIPPEE!!!

FYI...the Change to Eden shows scheduled for this weekend have been canceled, out of respect for Forrest and the loss of his best friend, Barry.

Forrest Miller & Todd Read on the way to Barry's gravesite.

Colleen Read playing frisbee with Billy Walls' kid

Bobby Bounds!??!?!? and me!

Forrest Miller & Bobby Boundds

Frey, the neighbor...hangin' tuff with us knuckleheads, trying to keep up. He is camera shy, so this is what you get. He was the lone Atlanta fan & was very verbal about it, so, YES, he got some flack. I have to say, he stood up to it...he might just fit into this group o' knuckleheads.

Bobby Bounds & Glen Byrd, Barry's cousin

Forrest Miller & Karen Smith

Todd Read & Tim Mohawn

Tim Mohawn & Glen Byrd

Now, how did I miss Mark Smith & Guy Walker in this mix?

Zappa Plays Zappa Accept No Substitutes

Dweezil Zappa & The Zappa Family Trust present...
The music of Frank Zappa starring Dweezil Zappa with special guests Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, and Napoleon Murphy Brock

HOUSE O' RULES
DECEMBER 18, 2006

Michael O'Hara

CONFIRMATION...MICHAEL O'HARA IS ALIVE!!!

check out www.michaeldreams.com

hmmm, Sheiks reunion?

Sharin' the Blog!

Hey, kids,

Please feel free to send photos, stories, announcements, whatever to me and I will gladly post to the Isle of Denial Blog. This blog is not about me...it is about US. I started this blog in an effort to keep everyone posted on life on the Isle, but my life on the Isle includes you, no matter where you are.

So, I want to hear about EVERYTHING!!!

loveyameanit,

robin

Photos for Friends

Let's start thinking about going through old pictures and helping friends. We need to do our best to gather photos from days gone by and reproducing them for others. If you send me pictures (whether via snailmail or internet), I can coordinate an online photo album and all of our friends can peruse and choose. Also, if anyone has specific pics or specific time periods that they are looking to replace in particular, this can help. I will take "orders" and can fill them by actually printing them, send them via internet, or the person can grab it from the online photo album.

I know that Colleen Read managed to evacuate with most of her photos, but she doesn't have any of Johnny-Boy's first year. Johnny Hozey doesn't have any old photos. We need to dig deep...any old band photos for Johnny would be killa. Be creative...THINK...and dig. Colleen and Johnny are just two examples of friends who would love to have some momentos of days gone by.

Everybody needs photos from the 80's! As much as we say we would love to erase that era, you know we still love having evidence that, yes, we DID have those hairdos....yes, fashion SUCKED. Think about how much one photo can make you laugh.

Send any photos to my private email address...robinchambless@gmail.com and I will coordinate distributing pictures.

This is a great way for all of us to be better prepared...we can commit our photos to the internet and always have them at our fingertips.

Can you think of a better Christmas present? This is a project that we can all enjoy because we are forced to look at old pictures, remember good times, remember those who have passed on, etc. This is a present that costs NOTHING, took some thought and heart, and can be given year round.

PLEASE PASS THE WORD AROUND TO ANY AND ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

Ignatius J. Reilly

Many friends have asked why there are never any pictures of me on this blog. Most of the pictures were taken on my phone. I have attempted on numerous occasions to have someone take a picture of me, but no one seems to be able to work my phone.

Photo courtesy of Colleen Read.

In an attempt to rectify this situation, I give you a picture of me...as Ignatius J. Reilly. This was Halloween, God only knows what year...defintely mid-80's. I think the theme was "Wild & Sexy" or something along those lines. My friend, Patrick Barrett is on the right...as a ninja.

Voodoo Music Fest

CHECK OUT www.voodoomusicfest.com





Visit me on the WWOZ STAGE!!

OCTOBER 28 & 29, 2006

LA on Film

Check out www.LAonFilm.com for the show's schedule. You can catch it this Friday, September 29 at 1:00am (okay, it's really Saturday, but who's counting?)

This is B Singer's project. The maiden show is out this month and he did a great job. Be sure to tune into UPN/WUPL to catch it.

Also, B needs advertisers, if anyone is interested.

Da Landry's

Jeff Landry

Dana Jacobs

Mrs. Landry

Mr. Landry



Call him "Big Jeff", "Little Jeff", "Superfly Jeff", I don't care...he's Jeff Landry to me. And, yes, he is still the Jeff Landry we all know and love. Jeff and Dana have a great life in California. He is a coach and disciplinarian at a school and loving it.

Jeff and Dana came in from Cali and his parents came in from Jacksonville (where they now live & love it) for the Saints, LSU/Tulane, McMain/Kerr and "just because" this weekend.

FOOTBALL is obviously the key.

These pictures were taken at REGGIE BUSH FIELD a.k.a. TAD GORMLEY STADIUM while Kerr kicked the ever-lovin' S*&T out of McMain...it was a slaughter.

Jacques-Imo's was next on the list. We had a fabulous table on the sidewalk and had a great time peoplewatching. As usual, Jack & staff totally tricked out our visit...champagne, apps, dessert. We had a blast, as one might suspect.

Mr. & Mrs. Landry went back to the hotel and we "youngsters" made our way to the Maple Leaf for T-Model Ford...what a fun time! And, yes, we did the prerequisite cocktail at Snake & Jake's.

This was my first time to have the honor of meeting the wonderful people who did an amazing job of raising our boy, Jeff.(Thanks, Mr. & Mrs. Landry) I can see where he gets it...the sweetness, the edge, the smarts...and, the looks. Take one look at Mr. Landry...there's Jeff in a few years! Da Landry's...one of the cutest families EVER!!!

Audubon Park ArtShot

Pond in Audubon Park...the grass in on the right, scum on the left

Here's the deal, people

Awright, people,

Here's the deal...take care of yourself. Pay attention to your bodies. Pay attention to how many cocktails you drink, how many pills you pop, whatever. Gettin' a little tired of putting people in the ground. Gettin' pretty tired of saying goodbye.

I learned something very important recently...WE ARE NOT INVINCIBLE!!!

I am blessed with a multitude of very dear friends...I wanna keep it that way. I am starting to notice gaps in my roster...and, I don't like it. I know that many of us can literally go 10 years without seeing each other & feel like no time has passed since our last meeting...but, we may not get that last meeting, if we don't watch ourselves.

Yep, it's selfish of me to want to keep you on this earth as long as possible...so, sue me.

Each and every one of us has had an incredibly challenging time as of late, I know, but DAMN!! We can rebuild the buildings, but we can't rebuild you. We are supposed to be planning reunions without dead people involved.

So, stick that in your pipe...and SMOKE IT!

LOVEYAMEANIT!!!

ROBIN

Michael Hapes Memorial

Michael in the Middle


A memorial for Michael Hapes has been scheduled for October 28 at the slab of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on the beach in Gulfport near Tegarden Road. The 29th is Michael's birthday and Reverend Roberts presided over both parents' funeral, so this is the most significant place for this service. After the service, Michael's ashes will be released. There is no formal reception planned, but everyone will be welcome to join Michael's family at the Beau Rivage buffet.

A formal invite/announcement will be sent out soon with more details. Please contact me if you would like to be placed on the email list for this invite.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend due to Voodoo Music Fest. It breaks my heart that work will take precedent over the memorial, but this is a gig where I actually cannot be replaced. I know that Michael would understand, having had to give up many social/family functions due to rock & roll himself. The show must go on. Have no fear...I will be there in spirit.

All my love

Barry Byrd

Barry J. Byrd, 44, of Biloxi, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 in Biloxi.

Barry was a life-long resident of Biloxi, graduating from Biloxi High School. He served in the United States Coast Guard for four years. Barry loved the outdoors, from his work as a successful ship captain, to being active in fishing, water-skiing, scuba-diving and sky-diving.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Depew; brother, Barney Byrd; sister, Tracee Byrd Schermund; and grandparents, Lionel and Jeanette Byrd.

Survivors include his father, Barney J. Byrd and wife, Nora; sister, Ember Babb; brother, Brent Byrd; and numerous close friends.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 25, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. at Riemann Memorial Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Road in Biloxi. Interment will be in Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi. An online guestbook may be viewed and signed via riemannfuneralhomes.com.

Todd, Colleen, & Johnny-Boy

Todd, Colleen, and Johnny-Boy...

This is a thank you card Colleen sent out recently. The picture was taken in the yard in Bay St. Louis 5 days before the storm.

Nancy Romano's 40th Birthday

These pics are from Nancy's birthday last month. We enjoyed "Bustin' Out Burlesque" and then a dj at Tip's French Quarter. Nancy received a cruiser bicycle for her birthday, so, we rode it inside TIp's, around the cocktail tables.
Nancy with the brulesque chicks

Party favor from burlesque performer

Nancy & Robin on Nancy's new bike...when we goin' ridin'?

Nancy & Greg

Nancy & Chef

Ivan Neville - Tip's - August 29, 2006

Elaine and I dragged our asses out to Tip's August 29th after walking in the parade downtown. We are so happy that we did so instead of talking ourselves into staying home. The show was awesome. George Porter played a few numbers. He did "Africa", substituting "New Orleans"...killa. The Dirty Dozen horn section was also in attendance...AMAZING...as always!

Sunset

Nice little sunset last week in Gulfport

It's All Good!

Saturday, September 16, 2006
Many friends joined together yesterday in Biloxi to say farewell to Clyde "Holly" Holloman. It was a reunion I think many of us needed. Of course, the reason we were together was sad, but, like most funerals, it brought many of us together who have not seen each other in decades. This was a rock & roll reunion.

Mark Smith flew in from Atlanta for the day to be with us which a very welcome surprise. To name a few in attendance...John Meredith, Richard Scott, Kippy, Mark Lanoue, Suzanne Gautier, Guy Walker, Todd Read, Forrest Miller. Even my niece, Lucci, showed up.

The service began with Mark Lanoue (one of my barbacks from Shy-Anne) & Paul Newton, Jr. performing "Amazing Grace" on harmonica and acoustic guitar. We sang a not half bad rendition, as well. We heard "23 Psams", a song written & performed by Denise Holloman Fernald (Clyde's big sister) and produced by Clyde. We also heard "Meet You on the Other Side" and "Far From Home", songs written, performed, & produced by Clyde and the members of his band, BILOXI. The members of BILOXI spoke about Clyde, making all of us laugh, yes, and even cry. Denise gave us many stories and also consoled us, stressing that it just must of been Clyde's time, no big mystery. We also heard from Beverly Martin, a lifelong friend of Clyde's, and she also had some great stories. The kicker was when Jacob, Clyde's son who had been estranged from his father for years & had just reunited with Clyde, read a poem/song about forgiveness and understanding...tearjerker.

We were outside in the parking lot, hoisting a greenie in Clyde's name. This scene was very reminiscent of the days at Shy-Anne...if I wanted to find Forrest, Todd, etc., I could usually go into the parking lot and they would be hanging around Gary's old green truck, drinking Heinies. Just substitute the old green truck with a mini-van and you have the picture. We were dancing to Todd Rundgren...imagine that. A Biloxi cop steps up to us and the guys were a little nervous because of open container laws. The cop steps up and says, "Bust Up!". I thought the guys were gonna fall out of the rockin' mini-van. The cop was Mitch Roberts, a boy I have known since 2nd grade.

A few of us went to Forrest's house after the funeral. We grilled hamburgers and tuna steaks. And, yes, we listened to music and had a little dance party. Suzanne brought a CTE scrapbook and we had the best time looking at pictures from 20+ years ago. Oh, man, you know I am in love with the 80's, but what the hell were we thinking with our hairstyles and clothes!!! YIKES!!! We had such a good laugh, sitting over this book.

Mark Smith

Suzanne Gautier Johnson & Todd Read

Todd Read

Forrest Miller

Todd Read, Mark Smith, & Forrest Miller

Mark Smith, Guy Walker, & Forrest Miller

Todd Read & Suzanne Gautier Johnson

Todd looking at CTE book

Forrest Miller

Bytor

Throbin, Zanne, & Colleen