INSPIRATION FOR THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
Mary Dan Ah, Mary Dan, the grand dame of the Krewe Du Couture, was loosely based on the regal Princess M, also known as Maridon Boario, a fantastic singer and bass player with the Panhandle Crabgrass Revival Band. She really is a princess. She's got a tiara to prove it.
Shawn Traceaux Man, I'm so sorry I had to kill Shawn early in the game. But it's a mystery novel, so someone had to die. Shawn was based on Sean Tracey, who is a killer (sorry) harmonica player and songwriter with the Panhandle Crabgrass Revival Band.
Marcy The Hot Potato Queen of Homer, twice Queen of the Krewe of Gambrinus, and the woman who first uttered the word flambeau in my presence, Marcy was based on Karen Berger, co-owner and operator of the Homer Brewing Company and a true Mardi Gras aficionado.
Rufus Thibodeaux This character reminded me of Scotty Meyer of Homer (he does have a badge, I think). Scotty was the original inventor of the name of Rufus Thibodeaux and many others in this story, invented while we all played in a Cajun band up in Fairbanks many years ago.
Dr. Grandbois A favorite character of mine, based on Forrest Gibson, another ex-band member of Bayou Beer, and an incredible guitar and mandolin player living in Seattle. I once won a bet with Forrest over whether or not stiction was a real word. I won because he couldn't find it in print. Now it is in print. If you are reading this, Forrest, I owe you a package of cocktail weenies.
Mike Piéce Piéce is the French word for the kind of cloth patch you put on your worn jeans. That would Mike Patch to y'all, guitar player in Ray-Jen Cajun.
John C and Eric Knight. More Crabgrass boys. Johnse Osterman and Eric Chadwell came to this queen's service back during Quest in November, so I honor them by basing a few of the Storyville Stompers after them. Go-cups all around, boys!
Ah, Bang and the Quest Playboys! That consummate zydeco band!
Bang Based on Bob Banghart who is really an awesome fiddle player, but definitely of the Cajun ilk. Is a current member of the Sofa Kings, but has been known to sit it with Ray-Jen Cajun when the band travels to Juneau
Janice Based on a true to life attractive long haired bass player with a great smile. Jennifer King of Homer. The Jen in Ray-Jen Cajun. Allumee, Allumee!
Suds Fellow Midwesterner and fellow rhythm section member, Jeff Szarzi, drummer with Ray-Jen Cajun served as my inspiration for the high hat tapping percussionist.
Zydee Bob Beaux Ah, none other than the ubiquitous Bob Bell (Bob-Bo) who plays frottoir with a vengeance, who likes to give rubboard lessons to pretty girls, and who also sits on the Grand Council of the Quest.
Beaux Beaux Prounounced phonetically BO BO. Based on Bo Bo Braum who lives in San Francisco, but is a Fairbanks guy from way back. He has been known to wear women's slips, but it's not what you think. He does have experience as a bodyguard, but it's not what you think. Featured on his throne to the left.
Joel the Beer Guy Based on Joel Kadaruch, the Beer Guy.
Kristina and Stan Guillaumes Based on the two of the core members of the Krewe du Roux (pictures in Chapter Five) Christy Williams and Steve Montooth. These two make a truly mean gumbo!
Jacques Teutite Well, it started out to be based on yet another member of the now defunct band, Bayou Beer, Jack Fontanella. But to be quite honest, it's a whole lot more based on my brother Timm who is a tailor somewhere between Montana and Chicago.
The Reubenesque Ladies on the Wall I didn't really based these rotund, naked ladies of the beads on anyone in particular, but my sister Katie swears she sees a resemblance to herself. Katie lived in New Orleans when she went to school at Tulane, and I went to visit her just after my 15th birthday. She was the first person I ever knew who ate a King Cake and actually got the baby. She also took me and my brother Timm down to Bourbon Street, took us on the Algiers ferry, taught me how to peel shrimp, bought me my first praline, let me have a Dixie beer, and took me for a ride on the St. Charles Street trolley. Pretty nice sister, huh?
Steve McCloskey Based on the quiet Steve McCaslin from Homer (unless he's issuing an ear splitting Cajun AAIIIYYYEEEE!) He uses a different gumbo recipe than the one served at McCloskey's, but it still is to die for. I do know his roux takes a good two hours to make and it shows in how good his gumbo is. Always eat it with a good glass of Homer Beer, the best in the world.
Mr. Jonathon Based on Joseph Jonathon Page and the infamous Joe's Coat 2003 internet vote. I thought it was worth bringing it back. How are you today? Fine, thank you for asking. Joe models the winning "Autumn" coat to the right.
Philippe the Baker Based on Phil the Cook made famous by that Ray-Jen Cajun original song "Phil's A Cook". Phil is much more easy going and makes killer honey. Cook it up! Cook it up!
JeanMarc Up until recently, JeanMarc was the bartender at Sacks in Anchorage until he moved to Portland. That's who I used as a model (though his eyes were grey in real life and I think he was from Switzerland.) But there is a bit of Joe Karson in this character with his love for raw oysters and his eye for the ladies.
Dinah The Cajun beauty in the fab dress was based on Diane Palmer who knocked 'em dead with her cowgirl dream of a dress and hat at last year's Wearable Arts Festival in Ketchikan.
Those of you who go to the Juneau folk Festivel every year surely recognized the making of the traditional Sunday Bourbon Brunch. This chapter is lovingly devoted to the Ketchikan Girls (and a few Juneau girls thrown in for fun.) Moist Towelette, anyone?
Hillary Based on Queen of the Glue Gun herself, Halli Kenoyer from Ketchikan, shown to the left in her Freudian Slip.
Carlotta Based on Carla Potter, an incredible pottery artist now living in Anchorage.
Lorelei Based on paper quilter and designer Laura Lucas from Juneau.
Janna Based on beading artist Jenna O'Connell, also from Juneau.
Andreah Based on Andi Smith, now of Portland.
Lelani Based on Leah Sturgis, formerly of Juneau, now in Washington D.C.
Samantha Samantha of the long legs and the sundries tray was based on Sara Lawson from Ketchikan.
T. Scott Boyle Based on the former innkeeper and general lifetime achievement festival award winner C. Scott Frye from Juneau who always took really good care of us at the Alaskan Hotel.
Bruce I threw this one in for a cheap laugh. Bruce 66 makes a detour from Oklahoma to have an Old Grand Dad in New Orleans.
Sting Ray I based the bad guy on one of the nicest guys I know who is a fine winemaker and a terrific host. Ray Garrity is also a heck of a accordion player and the Ray in the Ray-Jen band. (He really wouldn't hurt a fly!)
Mambozo The Gig Stealing Chicken with the accent was none other than Eric Graves, recently returned from grand adventures abroad. Sorry I had to cook you up in a nice etouffe in Chapter Nine, but look, you were a hero in the end!
