As part of WWL’s Remembering Katrina 20 Years Later, I had a conversation with my dear friend, Amanda Shaw, who talked about her memory of the storm and the song she wrote titled, “Before Katrina.”
Amanda was 15-years-old when Katrina hit. She was already becoming a known singer/songwriter/fiddle playing performer. Having achieved notoriety by 15, I asked Amanda how she felt when the storm reduced her to just a normal person trying to survive. Amanda told the story of evacuating and her family realizing that their debit cards were not working and with limited cash they depended on box meals others had prepared. From being a young, upcoming star to trying to survive was a challenge for young Amanda. She openly shared her feelings.
Now splitting her time between New Orleans and Nashville, where she is advancing her music career, Amanda is performing at the Waves of Grace: Remembering Katrina concert at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans Friday night. Along with Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., and others, Amanda said that because she needed help after the storm she is happy to contribute to this benefit concert where 100% of the proceeds will go to the charities that are helping who, 20 years later, still need help.
Hear my full conversation with Amanda Shaw about her experience during and after Kartina 20 years ago in the audio player above.
