Since 2000, Howie Kaplan has owned and operated the Howlin’ Wolf, a multi room venue located in the greatest city in the world and the birthplace of modern music, New Orleans. He has also managed the Grammy Award Winning Rebirth Brass Band for over 17 years.

Howie previously was the Vice Chair of Advocacy and Government Relations for the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). NIVA was responsible for the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and was crucial in saving independent venues, movie theatres, Broadway, Performing Arts Centers and non-profits that were devastated through the pandemic closures. He currently is a Precinct Captain for NIVA.

At the beginning of the covid shutdowns he started Meals for Musicians. This program, in conjunction with the New Orleans Musicians Clinic was responsible for distributing over 60,000 meals and assisting culture bearers and first responders in accessing health care, housing assistance and unemployment payments. Mr. Kaplan also received the SBA Phoenix award for his efforts after Hurricane Ida severed all power to the city. Working with supplies donated from over 100 restaurants and hundreds of volunteers, they created over 20,000 meals in eight days in a makeshift street kitchen.