Episode #3 Steve "Catfish" Howard

Backstage with the Troubadours

In this episode we interview the great Steve Howard. Steve has some amazing tales to tell about his days playing and recording in New Orleans and touring with Paul McCartney, Albert King, Tom Jones, The Blues Brothers and others. Check out the following excerpt from Steve's website. http://stevecatfishhoward.com
Steve Howard’s work with stellar artists and producers has made him a valuable asset through an extensive and varied career. As an expert in the fields of R&B, Blues, Rock, and Jazz, his talents have honed to adapt to many genres and styles of music. As a result, Steve has been sought after to record and perform with many legendary musicians.
In 1973 Steve moved to New Orleans to work with blues Legend Luther Kent. While there, he was discovered by legendary producer Allen Toussaint. He performed on Toussaint-produced albums Nightbirds by Patti LaBelle, which featured the #1 hit “Lady Marmalade”, and Toussaint's own critically acclaimed Southern Nights album. At Sea-Saint Studios Steve performed with the Meters, Dr. John, Little Feet, Tracy Nelson, Ernie K-Doe, and Lee Dorsey.

In 1974 Paul McCartney came to New Orleans to record at Sea-Saint. Steve was invited to play on “Call Me Back Again” which was featured on the Venus and Mars album. As a result, six months later Steve was asked to join Wings on their world tour. He spent the next five years performing in concerts in the USA, Europe, and Australia and recording at Abbey Road Studios in London as well as making five albums with Wings. He also appeared in films of the American tour and the Rockestra sessions. Rockestra included performances with rock legends Pete Townsend, John Bonham, Dave Gilmore, Ronnie Lane, and John Paul Jones. During a break in the Wings schedule Steve toured with both Tom Jones and Ray Charles. In Ray's band he played sitting next to Johnny Coles, one of his earliest musical influences.

Back home in the Dallas area during the 1980's Steve continued playing shows and recording albums. He rekindled his relationship with Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) and worked with him extensively while developing a friendship that endured until Mac's death in 2019. During this period Steve performed at Austin City Limits with Delbert McClinton and played concerts with the Spinners, the Four Tops, Martha Reeves, and Gladys Knight in the Dallas area.

In 1989 Steve joined Albert Collins' band, touring worldwide and recording with Albert until his death in 1993. With Alberts band Steve played at the Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival in Japan and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The band toured in the USA, Europe, and Australia, played Austin City Limits, and recorded numerous albums.

In 1994 Steve returned to New Orleans as a member of the Legendary White Trash Horns. During 1994-95 the White Trash Horns worked with producer John Snyder on albums for Junior Wells, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Billy Branch, Larry Garner, and others. They also worked with producer Mike Post on recordings for Sonny Landreth. Steve performed on a solo album with former Blood, Sweat, and Tears lead singer Jerry Fisher. In addition to work with the White Trash Horns, Steve played on numerous recordings for blues label Black Top Records. Recordings for Black Top included albums for Solomon Burke, Guitar Shorty, Snooks Eaglin, Phillip Walker, W.C. Clark, and others. He also performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with Boz Scaggs as well as with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and Luther Kent. In 1996 and again in 2000 the

White Trash Horns reunited with Edgar Winter for two albums and live performances including the Montreux Jazz Festival. From 1998-2002, as a member of the White Trash Horns, Steve toured and recorded with German superstar Peter Maffay in Europe.

In 2002 Steve formed his own band, the N'awlins Gumbo Kings, which performs its own special brand o