Katrina Silences Legendary Home of Jazz

Aug. 31, 2005 — -- Louis Armstrong famously sang, "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," a song that's taken on a tragic new meaning for thousands driven from their homes -- including some of the area's most famous local residents.

"I took in about 10 feet of water in my house and lost everything in my yard," says guitarist Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down, who grew up in Escatawpa, Miss., about 100 miles east of the New Orleans.

"My family is OK though, so that's the only thing I'm really worried about. I mean everything else can be replaced … I've never been devastated like this before so I'm not really sure how I'm going to go about it."

With limited phone service and electricity, only a few of the city's top entertainers have spoken out so far.

Blues great B.B. King offered his thoughts and prayers from Toronto, where he is performing tonight. The 79-year-old entertainer was born in Itta Bena, about 175 miles north of the Gulf Coast.

"My heart and prayers go out to my fellow Mississippians," said the legendary guitarist.

"No matter where I go, it's always home to me and I'm eager to return and touch the ground and see the people. They are the kindest folks in the world."

There is talk of a charity telethon with proceeds going to the American Red Cross, according to Entertainment Weekly's Web site, which reports that Willie Nelson is already signed up as a participant.

In another relief effort, the NBA says it's launching an immediate relief effort, and will contact every player in the league to get support.

"We're definitely going to do something," Henderson said. "We don't know what yet, but we're going to figure it out and try to get as much bang for our buck, so to speak, as possible."

Among those who lost their homes was Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre. "As I talked to my aunt yesterday, she was crying to me, 'What I've got with me is all I've got left,' " he said in a press conference this afternoon.

Favre learned from his mother on Tuesday that his family's residence in Kiln, Miss., was destroyed. As Katrina passed through, the house instantly filled with 8 feet of water. Several family members huddled in the attic, hoping to stay above the rising flood, and later they moved to his brother's home.

The quarterback was relieved to learn earlier in the day that his wife, Deanna, and daughters -- 16-year-old Brittany and 6-year-old Breleigh -- were 60 miles north of Kiln and safe at the family's Hattiesburg residence.