BIG CHIEF BO DOLLIS, JR: How Do You Red Bean?

Gerard “Bo, Jr.” Dollis grew up in New Orleans watching his father, Big Chief Bo Dollis Sr., lead the Wild Magnolias—one of the most important and recognized Mardi Gras Indian tribes in the city. He was surrounded by music, suits, and the deep-rooted traditions that shaped the neighborhood and his life.

He masked for the first time at ten years old. His parents didn’t want him to do it at first and tried to steer him away, but the pull of the culture was too strong, and Bo Jr. found a way. He cut up one of his mother’s, Big Queen Laurita Dollis’s, beaded purses, and started sewing on his own. It wasn’t just about the feathers and beads. It was about being part of tradition and culture.

After his father passed in 2015, Bo Jr. became Big Chief of the Wild Magnolias. He didn’t just inherit the title—he kept the tribe’s music alive, blending traditional Mardi Gras Indian chants with funk and soul.

Since taking over, he has led The Wild Magnolias on the albums A New Kind of Funk (2013), My Name is Bo (2021), and Chip Off the Old Block (2025). My Name is Bo was named one of the top ten best Louisiana music albums by OffBeat Magazine.

He’s still leading, still performing, and still speaking up. Whether it’s about preserving culture in the face of gentrification or the impact of climate change on his community, Bo Dollis Jr. uses his voice to make sure the stories don’t fade.

The Black Masking Indian culture has been threatened by gentrification in New Orleans. In recent years, this has been due to the rising costs of rent, rising sea levels, and soaring temperatures. This is causing many of the cultural performers to leave the city, which in turn is threatening the culture and communities where the Mardi Gras Indians parade and perform. Louisiana is losing more land than any other place on the planet. The marches, swamps, wetlands, and bayous are disappearing and swallowing up the small towns and fishing villages. If this trend continues, New Orleans could become a seaside town.

He engages in discussions and events, such as a conversation hosted by the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, focusing on the resilience of New Orleans’ cultural practices in the face of environmental and social pressures.

Today, Bo Dollis Jr. stands where he once watched—at the front of the Wild Magnolias, carrying the same music, suits, and deep-rooted traditions that shaped him. Only now, he’s the one leading, sewing, singing, and showing the next generation what it means to hold the culture in your hands and keep it moving forward.

What’s your earliest memory of red beans and rice?

My earliest memory of red beans was my grandfather (Harold DeJean from the Olympia brass band) always having red beans when I went over.

Was red beans and rice a regular thing in your house growing up—or something special?

Do you eat red beans on Mondays?

Yes, in my house we do eat red beans, not just on Mondays—all special occasions. We will pop up and just feel like eating some red beans.

What makes a perfect pot of red beans?

So my red beans are full of meat, hot sausage, pigtails, pickle tips, smoked sausage, neck bones, and a lot of seasoning. And I love to slow cook them. I don’t like canned beans, so it takes a while for it to cook, and I let it cook overnight.

What does red beans and rice mean to you?

For me, red beans is a lot of things. Around Mardi Gras time, my parents used to cook red beans for the guy who used to come over and help my dad sew (Bo dollis sr ), so that is like a tradition that we always do now. So that’s more of a community/tradition than like I said earlier. Family wise my grandfather always had red beans prepared somehow, whether it was frozen in the freezer or freshly cooked. Even now, when we get together, the first thing we put on his red beans to sew it.

Is there a person or place you always think about when you smell a pot of red beans simmering?

When I smell a pot of red beans? That’s a hard question because a lot of things come to mind when I smell a pot of red beans. Growing up is probably one thing that comes to mind. It’s Mardi Gras time comes to mind. And it’s just time to eat.

Has red beans and rice ever shown up at a big moment in your life—good or bad?

Yes, anywhere I go. Red beans show up, it could be at a party, at a show I have, or anywhere. Might just pop up in my house!

Anything else you’d want people to know about what red beans and rice mean to New Orleans?

Red beans is in New Orleans when anybody talks about New Orleans. The first thing that’s gonna come up is red beans and other foods. Red beans is the first soul food anybody knows that’s good for the spirit and the heart.

Where’s your favorite place anywhere in New Orleans?

My favorite place to go eat in New Orleans is Pee-wee‘s Crabcakes.

How can someone outside of New Orleans support what you’re doing?

You could find me on my website. I have a new album coming out June 13, 2025, Chip Off the Old Block, on all platforms.

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Red Beans and Eric

Eric Olsson is the food blogger of RedBeansAndEric.com. He publishes new recipes and interviews weekly. He has developed recipes and written articles for the famous Camellia brand in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has been mentioned in Louisiana Cookin‘ magazine and has had recipes featured in Taste of Home magazine – with his Creole Turkey recipe being runner up in their annual Thanksgiving recipe contest. He lives outside of Detroit, Michigan, with his wife and four children.