After a long, illustrious career of high highs and low lows, from opening for the Rolling Stones with the Meters, to scratching and clawing to overcome a drug problem, George Porter, Jr. is again on top of the New Orleans music scene. With several projects in the works, Porter is back in control of his life, and his career as one of the fathers of New Orleans funk and one of its busiest studio bass players.

Within the past year, Porter has kept busy playing with the rejuvenated Meters, per...