Contributors

Kevin Rabalais, an Avoyelles Parish native, writes and photographs the Natural State series for Louisiana Life. His work has appeared in The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Australian, the New Zealand Listener, and the Argentine magazine Revista Ñ. He teaches in the Department of English at Loyola University New Orleans.

A native of Lafayette currently residing in the Lake Charles area, Danley Romero specializes in portrait photography.  He considers it an honor to contribute to his state’s flagship magazine, Louisiana Life, and takes a particular sense of pride in his association with Acadiana Profile.  Most gratifying are the experiences that collaborating with the two magazines afford: meeting and photographing many of Louisiana’s most talented, accomplished and interesting citizens — the people who help to make our state the wonder it is.

Jeffrey Roedel is a producer, director and journalist focused on Southern makers, artists and creative thought. A graduate of LSU and the University of Southern California’s Production Workshop, he’s the former editor of 225 in Baton Rouge. In 2020, he released a collection of mantras for creativity called “Life Is Gonna Try to Put a Lot of Polo Shirts on You.” His album of pandemic poetry and music called “Distance” was released in 2021.

What Are You Reading?

Kevin Rabalais
“The Great River: The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi” by James Beard Award-winning journalist Boyce Upholt. The book, which will be published in June 2024, gives us a riveting history of the Mississippi and provides urgent insight into what ongoing attempts to tame it mean for the future of our region.

Danley Romero
“Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia.” Garcia is one of my favorite guitarists and was a smart guy with interesting thoughts on many subjects. The book is a great read, especially if you’re a fan of his music.

Jeffrey Roedel
“The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin. It’s been my favorite book the past year. I’m on my second read through it, although I’m skipping around on my second time. .”Rubin’s meditations are so deeply thought-provoking and gently instructional on how to stay open to inspiration, flexible with your artistic flow, and motivated to express yourself in meaningful ways.”