Secret Society Uncovers Music Roots

by Tom Watson

They call themselves the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau, a clandestine sect of music roots worshipers. While they prefer to operate in the shadows of New Orleans, on April 26 and 27, 2005, the Knights revealed the results of their nefarious activities when they presented a premier roots festival of rockabilly, blues, soul, swamp blues, swamp rock, swamp pop and New Orleans R&B: the Ponderosa Stomp.

While the identity of the Knights may be a guarded secret, the true purpose of this 501(c)(7) non-profit charitable organization (MKMM Charities, Inc.) isn't: to recognize the forgotten and unsung pioneers of blues, rock 'n' roll, country, jazz and soul by presenting those pioneers to today's audiences through an annual series of live, intimate house party settings in New Orleans.

However, the "grand poobah" of the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau, Dr. Ike, has a more user-friendly description of the Stomp: The Ponderosa Stomp is the ultimate ass-shaking house party. Where else can you shake and groove for over 24 hours on pure rock 'n' roll insanity in the land where rock 'n' roll was born? Throw in the fact that it takes place in a 1950s bowling alley [New Orleans' Rock 'N Bowl Lanes]. Nowhere else could this take place other than New Orleans. Grab your black cat bone and monkey paws, throw your goofer dust on the floor, and do whatever's necessary to get here.

Yes, "goofer dust" - a compound of graveyard dirt, powdered sulfur, salt, and, for best results, either powdered snake heads or snake skin - recommended by some practitioners of hoodoo or voodoo to trouble, harm or kill an enemy. Welcome to the Big Easy.

While the Knights are correct in claiming that many of the performers appearing at the Stomp have remained, by and large, unsung and in some cases all but forgotten, the early electric guitar heroes who performed at this year's festival, such as Link Wray, Scotty Moore, Nokie Edwards, Johnny Farina, and a score of others, have inspired generations of perhaps better known players including Pete Townshend who says, "'Rumble' by Link Wray is the reason I learned how to play the guitar."

Image gallery

The following photographs were taken by photographer Joseph A. Rosen [see link and information below] at the 2005 Ponderosa Stomp, except for the image of Scotty Moore, which Rosen captured at the 2003 Stomp event. While many more performers than those pictured appeared at this year's Stomp, this series of images by Rosen elegantly portrays the look and feel of the event.

The name of each artist beneath the image is linked to a biographical sketch presented on the Mystic Knights' website. The sketches are an excellent read.

In fact, a casual visit to the Mystic Knights' website is highly recommended. Be sure to enjoy the sound files from many of the artists who have participated in the Stomp and brush up on your knowledge of the guitar players who have so heavily contributed to the roots of contemporary popular music of virtually every style.

And, above all else, spread the word about these guitar heroes. It's good mojo to please the Mystic Knights.

Travis Wammack. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Classie Ballou. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Johnny Farina (from Santos & Johnny). Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Scotty Moore. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Link Wray. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Lonnie Brooks (Guitar Jr.). Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Nokie Edwards (from The Ventures). Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

James "Blood" Ulmer. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Freddy Roulette. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Robert Lockwood, Jr.. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Johnny Jones. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Ray Sharpe. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Lil Buck Sinegal. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Barbara Lynn. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

Irving Bannister (left) and Deacon John. Photo © Joseph A. Rosen

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About Photographer Joseph A. Rosen

Joseph A. Rosen is a New York City-based professional photographer whose work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated and many other publications. Corporate clients include JP Morgan/Chase Bank, American Express, Nordstrom, PepsiCo and IBM. His music clients are some of the greatest names in the industry from blues, R&B, soul, rock, Cajun/Zydeco, the record companies for whom they record and their management groups. Joe received the prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive in Photography and Art Award for 2002. The award is presented by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, Tennessee, to an artist who has created a body of work which has brought the blues to the public through photography and "made a significant contribution to the blues world."

Related Links
Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau (Ponderosa Stomp)
Photographer Joseph A. Rosen

More articles by Tom Watson