With Mardi Gras weekend upon us, we continue our series of keeping the Carnival spirit alive by reliving our favorite memories. Native New Orleanian and Fox News Channel weekend anchor Arthel Neville, daughter of Art “Poppa Funk” Neville, one of the founding members of the Grammy Award-winning Neville Brothers, joined Scoot to discuss her time growing up and some of her favorite Mardi Gras moments.
Unsurprisingly, music was a huge part of her life growing up.
“Music was always, always, always in the house,” Neville said. “Because of my dad, and my mom – they were together obviously when I was younger – she loved music, too. So there was always music in the house, and I loved that.
“Going to see my daddy and them when they were playing at Tulane University,” Neville continued. “Always dancing, and my cousins – Ernestine and Terry – would make make up dances. And, of course, I guess there's performers' blood running through our veins because we would not just make up our dances and do it inside. We would go on the front porch, nonetheless, where everybody's passing by so they could see what we were doing.”
She recounted one instance that stuck out from when she was growing up.
“I went to St. Stephen Elementary School on Napoleon in Uptown,” Neville said. “So they, The Meters, played in our yard one time. It was kind of Bring Your Daddy to School Day...so, I did! And George and Leo and Zig came along, and they played for us.”
Neville did not just follow in her family's footsteps, however; she forged her own way.
“There are many times I've heard, 'Well, that's not how we do it,'” she said. “Well, that's the last thing you want to tell me because if I fell prey to that or believed in that thought that was the way it was then I wouldn't have done half the stuff I've done in my career because I don't care if you haven't done it before. I'm here. We're doing it now. I'm setting the new mold.
“That's just a level of confidence that I've been taught by my parents,” Neville went on. “I can do whatever I want to do. And I did as long as I was prepared, so I was always prepared, always very studious.”
Her hard work has brought her a long career. Neville has worked for TV stations in Austin, Houston, San Diego, and New Orleans – WWL-TV. She also worked for E! and has appeared on shows like Days of Our Lives, Living Single, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She was the first African-American woman to host her own show on CNN, and she currently is the weekend anchor for Fox News Channel.
Though she has worked all over the country, she has often returned for Mardi Gras. This year is different, of course; but Mardi Gras marches on in our memories and spirit.
“I love Mardi Gras,” Neville said. “I love it. Sometimes, I can't make it home for it; but usually when I can, I do. And I'm out there running behind the floats, trying to get somebody's attention, catch some beads, trying to get as many beads as I possibly can, that I'm weighed down. That's my goal.
“I think I was in my 20s, and I remember my cousin Kim and I were about to go see a parade,” Neville said. “My mom says, 'Don't y'all go out there fightin' over them beads and doubloons, please.' I was like, 'We're grown, Mom; we wouldn't do that.' She's like, 'No, I know y'all. I know y'all.' It's just for the sport of it to see how many I could get, but I would never take beads from a kid. But if you're an adult, you're my size or taller, I'm going for it.”
Neville also recalled one specific, embarrassing memory. She had a friend who was riding in one of the truck parades.
“I knew where she was,” Neville said. “She was on the neutral ground side, so I was watching, waiting for her. I knew she was coming. I knew she would have a little something for me by way of libation. So I held up one of my plastic cups, and she poured me something. Then I saw another friend on another truck, [and they] poured it in.
“I'm a lightweight, I'll say,” Neville continued. “So by now I'm pretty...having a good time. I'm a little lit by now. Then, after that, we were going to meet at her uncle's house; but, before that, on the way there, I was hungry, very hungry. So I told my mom – and I didn't have any cash that day – “Mom, just go to the Popeyes, the one at Earhart and Carrollton. Go by that Popeyes, just drive through, and let me get a couple of wings.' She says, “You don't have any money.' I say, 'Mama, they know me. I can get them to give me some wings and I'll tell them I'll come back Tuesday to pay you.' She said, 'Girl, I am not taking you to Popeyes. You will not embarrass yourself or me.'”
All we have this year are our memories; but, hopefully, Mardi Gras 2022 will be back to normal and better than ever.
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