While NolaBoomers.com is under construction, our articles can be found here on our sister site, Nola Family. 

By Deborah Burst, September 2018

Octogenarian James Heneghan proves passion, determination, and humor are golden.

“I didn’t prepare at all, I thought I could learn by watching– that was a mistake… I did my own little jig, but mostly just bounced around.”

A favorite of locals, the 610 Stompers, known as Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Moves, began their male dance group in 2009. They put on quite a show along parade routes, with women begging for dances and men fantasizing about stomping their way into the 610 Stompers. But what does it take to become an ordinary man with extraordinary moves?

Only the beginning

It takes heart, but not necessarily talent; something Jim Heneghan, Sr learned first-hand as the one and only Golden Stomper. His son, Jim Jr., explained it’s more about personality than anything. They look for people that will mesh with the group, what they call a “We group, not a Me group.”

Ready for the interview, in they strut; Jim Heneghan, Sr with his son, Jim Jr, dressed in their parade gear and grinning ear to ear. White headband across his silver hair, Jim Sr. is proud as a peacock pimping his gold Stomper jacket, blue shorts, knee socks, and gold tennis shoes.

Heneghan admits it wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be to join the 610 Stompers, but he did get a lot of attention on his first try-out. Auditions are open to the public with two rounds a week apart, a couple of meet-and-greets, and then the final try-out. Often it begins with dozens of men auditioning.  They are taught a quick two-three minute routine with each contestant finishing with their own 30-60 second signature move, “This signature move is something that sets you apart from the others and shows your true personality,” says Jim Jr.

The elder Heneghan gave it a whirl; at 78 his first try-out was August 18, 2013. “I didn’t prepare at all, I thought I could learn by watching– that was a mistake,” Jim Sr. confessed, adding he did have some rhythm. “I did my own little jig, but mostly just bounced around.”

And the crowd loved him; lots of cheers, hugs, and high-fives.

Training for the big leagues 

Maybe it was all that love, or maybe it was all those years watching his son dancing, but Jim Sr. was determined to be a 610 Stomper. He didn’t make it on the first try-out, but he had another year to train.

So he joined the Zumba class at East Jefferson Hospital Wellness Center. He began working out at the gym and jogging on the treadmill. After all, by then, he was a spry 79.

“I walked more, trying to build up my endurance,” he said, explaining his sons helped him. “Just trying to get in better shape.”

“I could tell he was really serious about it– I was a little surprised,” commented Jim Jr. “So I brought him to the gym and we worked out together.”

His second tryout, in August 2014, was much better, and he even made it to the second week’s competition. “I was in much better shape and the audience loved me, which really helped,” he said with a smile. “But they only picked twelve members that year and I didn’t make the final cut.”

Undeterred, Heneghan hit the gym again, lifting weights and jogging on the treadmill. His son showed him a couple of old dance moves, which helped in building stamina and confidence. August 15, 2015, rolled around and Heneghan was ready for his third Stompers audition.

The first Golden Stomper

He felt confident with his dance but knew he had to come up with something special for that signature ending, something that would blow away the entire room. Jim Sr. raised an eyebrow, looked at his son, then me, and began to share what was perhaps one of the most entertaining Stompers performances.

“Well, I wore an extra t-shirt over my tank top,” he explained. “And at the end of the dance, I tore off my top t-shirt, with just my tank top on, raised my fists and flexed my muscles–the crowd went wild!”

The 610 Stompers board then called Jim Jr. expressing their admiration for his dad and their desire to make him part of the 610 Stompers family, but could Jim Sr. make it through the entire parade?

Jim Jr. explained he didn’t think his dad could make it and would need a wheelchair. It was then that the 610 Stompers offered what they considered the perfect solution, making James Heneghan, Sr. the first ‘Golden Stomper.’

The Stompers’ Board asked Jim Jr. if he thought his dad would be interested in wearing a 610 Stomper gold jacket? He thought it was an excellent idea, and the Board admitted they were blown away by the fact that his dad never gave up.

At the age of 80, Heneghan joined the 610 Stompers family and looked forward to hanging with the dancing club. He shared how the Board approached him, “We’re giving you this gold jacket but don’t know what to do with you,” they added, “Maybe put you in a wheelchair and strap you on the front of the sound truck, like a giant gold hood ornament.”  

A chorus of laughs erupted, and Jim Sr. was perhaps the loudest. Heneghan has marched or rolled with the 610 Stompers during the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Mardi Gras seasons, and looks forward to 2019.

For more information about the 610 Stompers, their events, and their community work, visit 610stompers.com.