We’re pleased to let you know that our consulting editor and long-time contributor to OffBeat, John Swenson, will now be writing a regular blog on OffBeat.com.

John is the author of The New Atlantis: Musicians Battle for the Survival of New Orleans, and Swenson’s account of musicians returning to New Orleans after Katrina, The Bands Played On, appeared in Da Capo’s Best Music Writing 2007. His Every Accordionist a King won the 2008 Best Entertainment Feature award from the Press Club of New Orleans. Swenson’s latest book chronicles how musicians battled to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

He’s the author of many books on music and musicians, and is thoroughly versed in New Orleans culture and music.

Swenson has been part of the OffBeat family for many years, and is serving as interim editor as we search for just the right person to lead the magazine into the future.  We’re thrilled  that he’ll be blogging for us regularly on OffBeat.com.