 The New Orleans sound was already in existence before Louis came along, and he got to it the most unlikely way. He was on his own at a very early age, living on the street, hustling for nickels and dimes, playing and singing and trying to attract attention, and just trying to survive, you know, as a street kid, as a street musician. And he was always looking for, especially as a young person, for sponsors, people who could help him in some way.