Professor Porkchop and the Dirty Dishes

At the age of nine, Shreveport native Chris McCaa attended a performance of the Shreveport Symphony with guests jazz pianist/composer Dave Brubeck and Jerry Mulligan with their band. It was at that moment McCaa knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. McCaa-now performing as Professor Porkchop-is an accomplished and acclaimed keyboardist/composer in his own right heavily influenced by the music of New Orleans and the blues scenes of Austin and Memphis. McCaa takes his stage name Professor Porkchop in part from the turn of the 20th. century slang. Back in the day, piano players working in bordellos were called professors. Porkchop came from a night of heavy drinking ending at Hassel Teakell's restaurant. Hassel said that I could have whatever I wanted, as long as I cook it. So, Chris cooked porckchops for everyone, that was 30 years ago. He's been Porkchop ever since. Over the years, McCaa has been an integral part of some of the region’s most popular bands such as A Train, The Red Hots and MTV award-winning group, The Insatiables. In his different aggregations, McCaa has opened for such legendary artists as B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, the late Ko Ko Taylor, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughn, Keb Mo, Asleep at the Wheel and the late lamented, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Bo Diddley. These days with his band, Professor Porkchop and The Dirty Dishes (Jason Coffield, guitar, sax, vocals; Shawn Stroope, bass; and Danielle Dyer, drums), McCaa is a popular fixture on the area club scene and continues to branch out to wider and larger markets following the release of his CD, “Grits and Graveyards.” Chop's new CD contains eight original compositions and finds the Professor channeling his many influences and at times, evoking a “Randy Newman meets Dr. John” vibe appropriate given his Louisiana roots. Professor Porkchop is a Louisiana treasure. Now with air play in Europe and a successful run at Epcot Center Disney, he and the Dirty Dishes are breaking out far beyond the confines of one country's borders. PPC & the DDs Gone International! with Jason Coffield - Guitar/Saxophone/Vocals Shawn Stroope - Bass Danyelle Bryant - Drums