Ruffins Gets OK To Reopen Ernie D-Doe Lounge

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Trumpet player Kermit Ruffins has been given the green light to reopen Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge.

The Times-Picayune reports that the New Orleans City Council voted Thursday to allow Ruffins reopen the famous music venue. Council action was needed because the business was closed for more than six months in 2011.

Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson thanked Ruffins for "saving history."

Ruffins told the council he is "looking forward to having a grand time in there. I can't wait for all of you to come down and party with us."

He said he has remodeled the ramshackle 2,000-square-foot barroom that served as the headquarters for rhythm-and-blues eccentric Ernie K-Doe, who was famous for the song "Mother-in-Law."