Mardi Gras Records just released “I’m Feeling Good!” (Big Chief Remix). A fresh spin on the 1965 Mardi Gras staple “Big Chief,” originally by Professor Longhair.
This new version brings in New Orleans’ own Big Chief Romeo Bougere (9th Ward Hunters) and singer Dawn Richard (formerly of Danity Kane, now a solo artist). It’s a call-and-response celebration of Mardi Gras culture, told through the eyes of someone leading a second line and someone pulled in by the rhythm.
There’s also a brand-new video, shot entirely on an iPhone. It captures Chief Romeo and his two-year-old son singing by the levee in the Lower 9th Ward, while Dawn Richard joins in from the 7th Ward with Big Chief David Montana and the Washitaw Nation. Both the song and video were made during Mardi Gras 2025 to bring the energy of the season to life.
Mardi Gras Records founder Warren Hildebrand has been preserving Louisiana music for decades. His father, Henry Hildebrand Jr., helped release the original “Big Chief” on Watch Records back in the ‘60s. Now Warren’s giving the track new life with producer Eric Heigle.
With no access to the original multi-track tapes, Heigle used AI tools to separate the original elements and build a new version around them—keeping the spirit of the original while layering in live musicians and new vocals.
Heigle tapped Chief Romeo to bring his voice and energy to the project, building on their work together in 79rs Gang and a new group, That Mighty 9. To balance the Big Chief’s parade leader perspective, Dawn Richard adds the viewpoint of someone caught up in the moment. The result is a song that connects generations, cultures, and corners of New Orleans. Watch the “I’m Feeling Good!” music video and stream the single now on Spotify.
Track Credits: Earl King – vocals Professor Longhair – piano Romeo Bougere – vocals, percussion Dawn Richard – vocals Eric Heigle – drums, bass synth, percussion Brian Danos – production, programming Jeremy Phipps – trombone
About Mardi Gras Records
Mardi Gras Records is a New Orleans music label founded by Warren Hildebrand in 1977. The label began with the music of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but quickly expanded into many additional Louisiana music genres – Cajun, Zydeco, Jazz, Gospel, Brass Bands, Southern Soul and so much more. Over the decades, Mardi Gras Records built a solid catalog of compilations and original recordings, with a catalog that now consists of over 4,000 recordings. Its first album was Mardi Gras in New Orleans, released in 1977. For more information, visit www.mardgrasrecords.com.
Mardi Gras Records just released “I’m Feeling Good!” (Big Chief Remix). A fresh spin on the 1965 Mardi Gras staple “Big Chief,” originally by Professor Longhair.
This new version brings in New Orleans’ own Big Chief Romeo Bougere (9th Ward Hunters) and singer Dawn Richard (formerly of Danity Kane, now a solo artist). It’s a call-and-response celebration of Mardi Gras culture, told through the eyes of someone leading a second line and someone pulled in by the rhythm.
There’s also a brand-new video, shot entirely on an iPhone. It captures Chief Romeo and his two-year-old son singing by the levee in the Lower 9th Ward, while Dawn Richard joins in from the 7th Ward with Big Chief David Montana and the Washitaw Nation. Both the song and video were made during Mardi Gras 2025 to bring the energy of the season to life.
Mardi Gras Records founder Warren Hildebrand has been preserving Louisiana music for decades. His father, Henry Hildebrand Jr., helped release the original “Big Chief” on Watch Records back in the ‘60s. Now Warren’s giving the track new life with producer Eric Heigle.
With no access to the original multi-track tapes, Heigle used AI tools to separate the original elements and build a new version around them—keeping the spirit of the original while layering in live musicians and new vocals.
Heigle tapped Chief Romeo to bring his voice and energy to the project, building on their work together in 79rs Gang and a new group, That Mighty 9. To balance the Big Chief’s parade leader perspective, Dawn Richard adds the viewpoint of someone caught up in the moment. The result is a song that connects generations, cultures, and corners of New Orleans. Watch the “I’m Feeling Good!” music video and stream the single now on Spotify.
Track Credits:
Earl King – vocals
Professor Longhair – piano
Romeo Bougere – vocals, percussion
Dawn Richard – vocals
Eric Heigle – drums, bass synth, percussion
Brian Danos – production, programming
Jeremy Phipps – trombone
About Mardi Gras Records
Mardi Gras Records is a New Orleans music label founded by Warren Hildebrand in 1977. The label began with the music of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but quickly expanded into many additional Louisiana music genres – Cajun, Zydeco, Jazz, Gospel, Brass Bands, Southern Soul and so much more. Over the decades, Mardi Gras Records built a solid catalog of compilations and original recordings, with a catalog that now consists of over 4,000 recordings. Its first album was Mardi Gras in New Orleans, released in 1977. For more information, visit www.mardgrasrecords.com.
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