How can people find your music? On all the streaming sites and at evermorenest.com!
What is your current single and/or album? “Back in the Doghouse on Christmas” (Single) off of Merry Little Thing (EP)
What was a typical Thanksgiving meal look like for your family? We gather around a feast like many families. There’s usually two turkeys, my grandmother’s famous cornbread dressing, my aunt’s favorite asparagus casserole, black-eyed peas, mom’s homemade bread, deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, and a dessert of some kind. This year, I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my in-laws, and my wife and I are excited to take them to the Thanksgiving Day races at the New Orleans Fair Grounds.
What were your Thanksgiving traditions when you were younger? When I was a kid, Thanksgiving was always held at my grandmother’s house. We’d head over around noon for the big feast that my grandmother, mom, and aunt would prepare. If I was lucky, my grandfather would have the ice cream maker churning outside for a special dessert. After the meal, my brother and I would end the day playing basketball outside or hitting the Nintendo upstairs.
How has your Thanksgiving celebration changed since you have became an adult? I don’t live in my hometown, so Thanksgiving often means a very early five-hour drive from New Orleans. And after the family gathering, I like to travel an hour further to small cabin I have in the woods to take in some quiet time and nature in the rural place where my grandmother was raised. November is usually perfect camping weather, and the sentiment of gratitude is always strong for me there.
What are you most thankful for this year? Health for me and my loved ones and the ability to continue releasing music—art is a wonderful antidote for dark times.
Do you prefer artificial Christmas trees or real trees? I’ve never known what it’s like to have a real tree. I can’t say that I have a preference, but real or not—it’s all about the process of setting it up that I enjoy. Holiday music, a fir tree candle, eggnog daiquiri, and all the decorations make for a delightful day. My favorite moment is when is the garland and lights are hung over the front door and begin to glow as evening descends.
When do you decorate your Christmas tree? Typically the weekend following Thanksgiving.
What is your favorite Christmas song? What makes it your favorite? “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Beyond its melody, this song for me is the perfect characterization of holiday emotions: sadness, nostalgia, love, and hope. It acknowledges the hard times while looking forward to a better year ahead. I love the original (sadder) lyrics that Judy Garland sang, and that’s how I chose to sing the song on the new EP.
What is your go-to holiday drink? I’m from Louisiana, so I’ve gotta go with a frozen eggnog daiquiri. My favorite in New Orleans comes from New Orleans Original Daiquiris; my favorite in Shreveport is Tony’s Beverages. Extra shot of course.
What is your favorite Christmas present that you have ever received? I accidentally wrote a holiday song that ended up a marriage proposal, and I released it (as Kelcy Mae) back in 2015, “Christmas with You (Merry Me).” I told my partner not to worry—I didn’t need to rush anything, and she didn’t need to “answer,” but I did need to release the song that year. Right before Christmas, she took me to dinner and the rain-soaked Christmas decorations at New Orleans City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks, where she presented me with a ring and said, “I don’t really know if I’m asking or answering, but will you marry me?” That was my favorite Christmas present.
What were your Christmas traditions when you were younger? My family always attended the candle-lit sermon at our church on Christmas Eve. Before bed, we’d read the Christmas story by candlelight at home. I liked to do the reading—have always been a ham, I guess. In the morning, my brother and I would wait for word that Santa had come and that Dad was ready with the video camera to catch our first moments perusing our spoils. After taking it all in, we’d head to my grandmother’s house for gumbo and gift exchanges. Christmas was always a pretty magical holiday for young me.
How have your Christmas celebrations changed since becoming an adult? My wife and I now spend Christmases together, which we didn’t do for many of our first holidays. Her family is in Illinois, mine in Louisiana. Now we alter years with each family in each location. It’s a fun way to shake things up and get to spend time with extended family on both sides.
What is your favorite Christmas memory? I don’t think I have just one, but it would probably be a collage of memories of Christmas Day. The mornings with new toys, our dog, and my sleepy parents watching us take it all in. The afternoons with my grandmother, grandfather, aunt, and uncle. Christmas Day was a day when I acquired many of the items that would guide my life—my first instruments/guitars, influential tapes, CDs, and books, etc.
How do you spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day? I don’t really have any traditions here, but if the weather is amenable, I like to spend some time in the woods.
How do you spend New Year’s Eve? Only one thing is a constant—I spend it with friends.
What do you typically eat on New Year’s Day? I’m always hoping for a little luck and money—black-eyed peas and cabbage like the rest of ’em!
Do you have a New Year’s Resolution for 2025? Enjoy the journey!