WATCH: Randy McQuay II brings a taste of Mardis Gras annually to Wilmington

Encore contributor Mark Herbert  was able to catch up with Wilmington's own Randy McQuay II for a chat  about his upcoming album release and Mardi Gras events in Wilmington. 

Randy discussed the growth of his Mardi Gras celebration in Wilmington, which started in 2016 with about 50 people and has grown to several hundred attendees. The celebration includes multiple events: the Sunset Park Mardi Gras Parade (Sunday before Fat Tuesday at noon, starting from Dramtree Tavern) featuring a band trailer with PA system, and the main Fat Tuesday show at Waterline from 7-9 p.m. Randy noted that Mardi Gras events work well in Wilmington because they fall during the off-season when tourist-based musicians are more available. He's working to expand it into a week-long event leading up to Fat Tuesday, reaching out to other bands and venues for next year. 

Randy will release his latest album, "Roadkill Mojo, Swamp Songs Volume 1,” on March 6 at a special ticketed event at TED's starting at 8 PM, with gumbo or jambalaya provided and a physical CD copy included with each ticket. The album was recorded at Hourglass Studio with musical partner David Bolton, engineered by Trent Harrison and will be mastered by an engineer in New Orleans, with artwork by political cartoonist Rich Powell.

Randy also mentioned the annual Farewell to Summer Jazz Funeral at Kure Beach (first Friday in October, this year October 2).

The conversation touched on the evolution of music distribution, with Randy sharing his experience of making the most money during the brief download era (via iTunes through CD Baby) before streaming took over. Randy emphasized his commitment to artistic integrity, playing only music he genuinely enjoys, and expressed gratitude for his dedicated fan base who continue to buy physical CDs to support him. They also discussed the challenges independent artists face and the importance of community support. We will have more from that conversation in a future article .