AMOS HUEY "PAT" CRABTREE

Born on December 10, 1932, on his grandfather's boat named, "American Eagle" where the family lived, in Harvey,

Louisiana; Amos Huey "Pat" Crabtree, was one of nine children of Amos and Hilda Savoie Crabtree. The fleet was

located above what is now the entrance to the West side of the Harvey Tunnel.

"Pat" as he is known, had five sisters, Marie, Juanita, Amie, Sylvia and Linda and three brothers, Bill, Danny and

Phillip Crabtree. All were born and raised the in Harvey-Marrero area.

"Pat" attended Ames Elementary, Harvey Elementary, L.H.

Marrero High and Terrebonne High in Houma, Louisiana. He also graduated from the American School of Navigation

with a U.S. Coast Guard License and as a Master of Motor Vessels. This was his profession for over 40 years. He

retired in 1994.

"Pat" and his wife, the former Jennie Savoie, were married in 1951 and raised 5 girls, Karen, Carla, Patricia, Ellen,

Luana and 1 boy Amos Huey Crabtree Jr., better known as "Skip". They also have 19 grandchildren and 7 great

grandchildren.

"Pat" started playing the guitar at bout six years of age. His father and uncles had a country band named, "The

Harvey Stump Jumpers".

They played on radio station WJBW in New Orleans. He used to learn all their songs and played along.

Some of the bands "Pat" worked with were, "A.J. Foret & The Four Rays", "Danny Powell & The Sun Set Playboys",

Irving Tuttle's "Western Swing Band", Nolan Savoie's "Country Playboys", The George Bellamore Band and many

others.

"Pat" played in some of the old clubs and dance halls as, The Canal Bank Inn, Fireman's Hall, Keyhole, Gay Paree',

Moulin Rouge, Last Round Up, Club Midway, Big Lanes Rendezvous on the Westhank. And Ace's Hoe Down, The

Fun House, Silver Star and Mary's Tavern in New Orleans along with Robbie's Lounge and Bonvillian's in Houma,

Louisiana. His present band is called, " The Bayou Towers MED-A-KADES", playing rhythm guitar, vocals and being

a MC. The band is currently involved in playing for the Council of Aging in Houma and in Port Allen, Louisian

One of 6 children, "Tony" Ting was born on January 10,

1944 to Carrie and Anthony John Ting Sr. His sisters and brothers include, Ernestine, Louis, Ronald, Debbie and

Bruce.

Raised in Harvey, Louisiana, "Tony" attended Harvey and Homedale Elementary Schools, Gretna Jr. High, West

Jefferson High School and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

His musical career began in 1958, at the age of 14, playing

at American Legion Posts 64 and 125, while also in the West Jefferson High School Band. In 1960, he was with a

band called, "The Jesters", whose members included, Zu Carpenter, Bob Barrios, Freddie Palmisano, Harold

Donahue, Willie Childress, Ronnie Schouest, Tom Neff and Rudy Tauzin.

During the early to mid-60's, "Tony" played many "spot" jobs in the French Quarter while attending and playing in the

LSU Tiger Band & Symphony. He also spent 2 years in the U.S. Air Force after college.

From 1968 till 1988, "Tony" played with the "Sunshine Band", with Tony Anderson, Bob Moreci, Guy Trippi, Russell

Palmer, Boozie Jackson, Hector Nieves, Jimmy Simon, Greg Lazardi, Stewart Guey and Sal Saleto.

From 1988 to the present, he has been the drummer for both the, "Bayou Barn Boogie Band" and the "Hot Sauce

Band", whose members include Ernie Wilkinson, Darrel Hartman, Wynston Bordelon, John Bonvillain, Jr., Ronnie

Falgout, "Smokey" Hartman, "Skeeter" Thomassie, Anthony Collura, Don "Skeet" Gauthreaux and Don "Mutt"

LeBlanc.

These bands have performed not only in most all the major hotels and ballrooms, carnival balls, weddings, and large

corporate parties in the New Orleans area but for countless Cajun festivals in this area and in Minnesota and in South

Korea for the U.S. Army 8* Division.

"Tony" has been married to the former Nancy Osborne for the last 28 years. He has 1 daughter Toshia and 2 step-

daughters Tammy and Lisa. They are the owners of the Bayou Barn in Lafitte, Louisiana where they reside today.

Jimmy Ates was born in 1944 the youngest of seven children to

John W. and Annis Babin Ates.

He grew up in Belle Chasse and first became interested in music at the age of 10 when he played drums in the Belle

Chasse school band. At the age of 14, he started playing drums in a band with Russ Russell and Speedy Courteaux.

While playing in the band, he learned to sing and play rhythm guitar. The band played at Jim Zito's Western Sky, The

Ranch House, The Silver Eagle, The Swamp Inn, The Orchid Lounge, The 509 Club and various other nightclubs.

They also played for school dances at the Belle Chasse Auditorium and many parties and weddings. He played

professionally until 1966 when he began playing for pleasure with friends and family. He now plays mostly keyboard

and enjoys a little karaoke, too.

Jimmy works as a sign painter for Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Avondale, where he's been employed for 42

years. He and his wife have also worked together in their own sign business for the past 30 years.

In 1964, Jimmy married the former June Cavallier. They have been blessed with a son, Danny, a daughter, Angela

Lafrance and 1 grandchild, Brittany Bavido. After 43 years of marriage, the couple is enjoying life on the Intracoastal

Canal in the small town of Jean Lafitte

"T-June" was born on August 2, 1937, to a family of 17

children and raised in Terrebonne Parish.

He started playing the guitar in his early 20's. His first guitar cost him S49 from Sears Roebuck. The only chords he

know were C, D, & G. But he would play with his friends day and night so he could get better. The first group he

played rhythm guitar with was, "The Bayou Playboys" which was a 3 piece band, consisting of Adlas Billiot on lead

and vocal and T-Roy Billiot on drums. After mastering all the cords, he went on to a bigger band, playing lead for L.J.

Foret with Earl LeBlanc on steel guitar Aaron on bass and Doe Doe on drums. He played with them for 12 years until

the band broke up. Then "T-June" joined, "Cotton & The Bo-Weevils" which had 2 horn players, Lesley Blalock on

tenor sax and Mike Vice on baritone sax. The band played almost everywhere in Louisiana but the best place they

played was every Sunday at Damon's Sunset Inn, where there was standing room only. He also played lead for

Johnny Fonseca for about 10 years and recorded songs like, "All I want for Christmas", "Levieux Agriculteua", "

Carencro", "Je Vieux Mon Aller", "Le Delaiss" and "Christmas Was Pretty". The band had a lot of fun together and we

all miss Johnny Fonseca very much.

Currently, "T-June" is with, "The Cajun Ramblers" with Leroy Chiasson on bass and vocal, C.J. on rhythm, lead and

vocal and Raymond on drums.

In 1968, "T-June" married the former Angeline Naquin and have raised three children, Troy, Randall and Shantell.

The couple resides in Montegut, Louisiana

"Bill Webb" was born on October 8, 1935, one of six children of

Raymond R. and Marie Brown Webb, in Spiro Oklahoma. He is the brother of James W. Webb and Lou Ellender

Webb and the late Harvey E., Harold J. and Raymond R. Webb.

Billy Joe has been playing music since the age of 15 when he played

trombone at Spiro High School in Spiro, Oklahoma. During that same time, he was also learning to play the steel

guitar. His first steel guitar was a six string Gibson and he also plays the "Dobro" and some keyboard.

He left Oklahoma for the military at the age of 17. After completing his tour, he moved to Louisiana and has been a

resident of Marrero since 1956.

He played steel guitar with, "Nick and The Delta Boys Cajun Band" for many years. He also played with such bands

as, "Stoney Carlisle and the Texas Playboys", "Paul Beach and The Hard Timers", "Alan Fontenot and The Country

Cajuns", "Jerry and The Starlights" and "Big Winey and The Winos". He has had the pleasure of playing with such

musicians as, Richard Brown, Gilroy Juslin, Dudley Vicknair Sr., Johnny Cambre, Norman Naquin, Steve Gros, Alan

Gros, Carroll Bonvillion, Joey

Tassin, Big Al Foret to name a few.

Billy has played in such local venues as, The Canal Bank Inn, Swamp Inn, Keyhole, Fireman's Hall, Hank's Place,

Moulin Rouge, Scorpio, Girlie's Restaurant, Ronnie's Bar, Pete's Lounge, Fleur DeLis Motel and Bar, Pat's Lounge,

A&A Bar, Sunrise Inn, Fuzzy's Bar, Cajun Inn and many others.

Bill Webb worked in woodworking profession for more than 32 years. His most recent retirement was from Jefferson

Parish Recreation Department after 18 years of service.

Bill has been married for 49 years to Genevieve Therebhand they have raised four children, Donna W. Loga, Debra

W. Gauthreaux, Michael Paul and David Peter Webb. They have 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Bill Webb died on April 3, 2007. Prior to his death, knowing that he

was selected to be inducted, Bill wanted to donate his old Fender Steel Guitar to the Westbank Musicians' Museum.

Accepting Bill Webb's certificate is his son David Peter Webb

Carl Nick Contranchis was born on December 18, 1956 in New Orleans, the son of Nickie and the late Beverly

Carmouche Contranchis;

Brother of Don, Nickie Jr., Albert, Sandy, Glenda Boutte and the late Jerry Contranchis. Raised on Avenue B in

Marrero, Carl graduated from West Jefferson High School and attended the University of New Orleans and Delgado

University.

Carl got his first guitar at the age of 8 for Christmas. A Western Auto

"Truetone" box guitar which his father taught him to play. Later he bought an old bass guitar, learned to play by

practicing with his dad. He then became the primary bass player for his dad's band, "Nick and the Delta Boys Cajun

Band". One of his earliest memories, around age 15, is playing with his dad's band and Marion Marcotte for a Church

fais-do-do off Magazine Street in New Orleans. His fondest memories have been over the past 35 years that he has

spent playing with his dad and the members of the "Delta Boys Cajun Band" who are, Bill Webb, Jerry Chiasson, the

late Clincy Gros & "Smokey" Guthrie, whose house was where the band held rehearsals.

Over the years Carl has had the distinct privilege of playing with such

great musicians and bands as, Marion Marcotte, Allen Fontenot, Gerald Dubois, Dudley Vicknair, Sr., Tommy

Leblanc, Al Louvelle, Blackie Savoie, Al Foret's Band, Jessie Cook, Gilroy Gisclair, Ray Gill, Joey Gill, D.D.

Broussard, Paul Edwards, Richard Brown, Lil Junior and the Swamp Pop Players and the band the Star Lights.

Between 1998 and 2001, Carl, his dad Nick and Jerry Chiasson, played many a free shows for area nursing homes in

Jefferson, Orleans, St. Charles and St. Bernard Parishes for the elderly, averaging about 3 nursing homes a month.

Carl and his father Nick, built a recording studio at his house in Gretna

in 2005, but before they started recording Nick had a mild stroke.

Carl is a 28 year veteran of the Gretna Police Department and holds the rank of Captain as the Commander of the

Field Operations Bureau. He is also a 1993 graduate of the FBI National Academy's 173d Session in Quantico,

Virginia.

Carl has 5 children: Carl Jr., Carla, Mary C. Besson and Alyson and

Katie Scott and has 5 grandchildren.

Carl has graciously donated to the Westbank Musicians Hall of Fame

Museum his white Peavey Bass Guitar and a signature red handkerchief that his dad gave him to wear early on in his

music career

Charlie was born on August 17, 1948 to Helen and Charles Joseph Baggese, Jr.. He has 1 sister Jackie Rodriguez

and 1 brother Pete Lalumia. Raised in the New Orleans-Chalmette areas, Charlie attended McDonogh #19, where he

learned the clarinet, Washington, Cohen Jr. High and Chalmette Jr. High schools.

He began playing the saxophone when he was around 17 years

of age and has been a musician for the last 43 years.

Some of the bands he has played with are, The Foot Warmers, The Ramblers, Blue Bayou, Flashback, Take 5, Cool

Breeze, The Rockin' 50's, The Rockin' Oldies, Lil' Dino & Company, Wild Southern Groove, The Cadillacs, Music,

Inc., Memories, Foret Tradition and Jr. and the Swamp Pop Players.

Playing on both sides of the river, Charlie has performed in such places as Hank's Place, E.T. 's, Katz, Stevie Ray's,

Canal Bank Inn, Mona Lisa, Old Scorpio, The Junkyard, Jake's Place, Moulin Rouge, The Max, Mo's Chalet, Cellar,

Dimples, Rumble Seat, Bojangles, The Swamp Inn, The Bayou Barn, Fireman's Hall, VFW's and boat blessings.

Charlie has 2 children, Charleen M. Baggese and Charles J.

Baggese IV and has 2 grandchildren. And still resides in Chalmette, Louisian

The son of the late Harold and Eurosie Morvant Gros, Clincy Whitney Gros was born on January 9, 1921 in the

Choupic Community.

He's the brother of Junius and Irby Gros, and Verna G. Guillot, Rosemary

G. Fields, Doris G. Jones and the late Celestina G. Stein. Clincy attended Chackbay High School.

Living in Metairie, Louisiana since the 1950's, Clincy worked in New Orleans at Beacon Auto Lab as a mechanic. He

was a mechanic for most of his life and had been retired for many years.

In 1945, Clincy formed his own band, " The Southern Playboys".

He played violin for more that 70 years. For more than 30 years of those 70 years, he played with, "Nick and The

Delta Boys Cajun Band".

In addition to his own band and The Delta Boys Cajun Band, Clincy

Gros played with many local musicians such as, Richard Brown, Gilroy Juslin, Joey Gill and Ray Gill, Big Tommy

LeBlanc, DD Broussard, Jerry Morvant, Paul Edwards, Alan Fontenot and many more.

A few of the places Clincy played were, Canal Bank Inn, The Swamp Inn, The Keyhole, Hank's Place, Ronnie's Bar,

Pete's Lounge, Fuzzy's Bar, The Blue Angel Inn. Oncale's in Chackbay, Al's Corral, Bubba's Lounge, The Blue Angel

Inn, Johnny's Bar, Tab's Bar, Ruth's Bar, The Trudeau Club, Brewer's, The Monaco Bar and many other.

Clincy was married to Willie Watkins Gros for 46 years until her death in 1998. He's the step-father of Ann Migliore,

the late Jimmy Nell Milburn and the late Edna Wiseman.

Sadly, Clincy Gros passed away on January 22, 2007 from cancer.

He was 86 years old.

Accepting the award for Clincy Whitney Gros is :

Derril A. "Moochie" Martinolich

Born on April 23, 1939, in Folkston, Georgia, to Irene B. and Elvie

H. Russell, "Russ" Russell has 1 brother, Elvie H. Jr. (deceased) and 2 sisters, Grace Rabalais (deceased) and

Virginia McQueen.

After moving to the New Orleans area in 1960, "Russ" attended Andrew Jackson Senior High School on the Honor

Society, the University of Jacksonville, the University of New Orleans where he was the president of the

Student/Teachers Association. He graduated in 1963 from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor's Degree in

Science.

"Russ" then began a teaching career which started at Port Sulphur

High School and went on to Ames Elementary, West Jefferson High School, Archbishop Shaw High School and

Gretna Jr. High. He retired from the teaching profession in 1986.

"Russ" has been a professional musician for over 40 years, primarily as a vocalist but does play guitar and

harmonica. He had 3 number I records in New Orleans, named "I'm Cryin', "Hillbilly Waltz" and "Louisiana Lovin'

Man". He also recorded 3 albums entitled, "New Orleans Country", "Dixie Country" and "Life Ain't Easy.

Over the years, he has performed with such bands as: The Dodson Trio, The Vanguards, The Russ Russell Band,

The Stingrays and " Russ" Russell & The Rustlers which played Bourbon Street at the Whiskey A-Go-Go Cluh many

times and for the Bacchus Mardi Gras Ball. He has performed at countless fairs and festivals throughout the state,

including the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fair for 25 years. "Russ" also

paid his dues playing on the Westbank at places like: The Scorpio, Fireman's Hall, Keyhole, Canal Bank Inn, Swamp

Inn, Naval Air Station in Belle Chasse, the 509 Club and Algiers Naval Base, the Municipal Auditorium, The New

Orleans Museum of Fine Arts, the Superdome and the 1" annual Louisiana Rodeo.

In 1972, he played the Grand Ole Opry and the Louisiana Hayride.

He is semi-retired and performs regularly with senior citizens group

called. "The Lizard Creek Ramblers" which is dedicated to the preservation of good country music.

"Russ" Russell has raised four children, John, Marty, "Russ" Russell, Jr. and Kyle. He has 6 grandchildren and

presently resides in Springfield, Louisiana

Born on August 13, 1934, in Pierre Part, Louisiana, one of 5 children, whose names are Albert, Willie, Matilde and

Sadie, to Nickolas and Lucy McCarthy Comeaux, Johnny attended Pierre Part Elementary, Belle Rose Middle School

and Napoleonville High School.

Johnny has been a musician for over 50 years, playing fiddle and steel guitar. He's played with,

"Bruce Broussard & The Round-Up Boys" in Baton Rouge, "The Western Gentlemen" in France and Germany, "Hank

Thompson & The Bravos Valley Boys" in Dallas, with Red Hayes in Odessa, Texas and Vin Bruce in Louisiana.

Johnny also spent 4 years in the United States

Air Force from 1956 till March of 1960.

In 1967, Johnny moved to the Westbank.

During the 1960's he played at the Fireman's Hall with Billy Norred's band, at the Scorpio with the Tommy Sea band,

at the Keyhole with Huey Bourgeois' band, the Funhouse on Magazine Street with Joey Gill, at the Moulin Rouge and

at Big Lane Rendezvous. Johnny spent 10 years with Johnny Fonseca's band in Houma and 7 years playing every

Sunday at the Bon Chance in Grand Bayou. And still occasionally plays at the Silverado in Thibodaux. He retired

from Avondale Shipyards as an electrician 10 years ago. Johnny was married to Magdalena Riber Comeaux for 45

years until her death in 2002. He has been married for the last 3 years to the former Hope Barrilleaux and presently

reside in Marrero, Louisiana

Pekinto was born in Houma, Louisiana on January 14, 1950 to Joseph and Ethel Pekinto and has 3 brothers,

Joe, Paul and Billy (deceased). Growing up in Westwego, Jerry attended Our Lady of Prompt Succor and Westwego

Elementary Schools and West Jefferson High School.

At the age of 16, Jerry attended Merchant Seaman School

and shipped out at the age of 17.

Jerry began playing the electric bass in 1963 and added the

acoustic upright bass to his repertoire in 1997. He first performed publicly at The Grill in Lafitte and became a regular

at many Westhank clubs such as the Suburban Club, Deaufres and The Fat Cat Club. Appearing on stage at Fat City

hot spots, Jerry played at the Godfather, Sancho Panza, the Quarter Note and the Place Across the Street. In

addition to these Metairie night clubs, he performed at the Bounty in West End on Lake Ponchatrain. And across the

lake in Slidell, he kept'em dancing at Debbie T's, Pam's Curley's, the Ramada Inn and the Holiday Inn. On the

Mississippi Gulf Coast, he appeared at Casino Magic, The Imperial Casino, Lady Luck Casino and The President

Casino. Participating in the French Quarter entertainment scene, Jerry could be heard poppin' and slappin' the bass

at the Ivanhoe, 544 Club, Lastrada, The Second Line, Jelly Roll's, The Absinthe Bar, Crazy Corner and most recently,

The Crescent City Brewhouse.

Over his four decade musical career, Jerry has played bass

for a number of bands such as: "Public Service", "The Q",

"Blackmore", "River Road", "Mojo", "Luther Kent & Trick Bag", "Old River Band" and the jazz ensemble he founded in

1995 and currently leads called, "Streetbeat".

Jerry has raised four children and currently resides in the

mid city section of New Orleans

Born in New Orleans on August 1, 1946, one of four

children, including 1 brother Joseph Jr. & 2 sisters, Dolores and Carolyn to the late Lucille and Joseph Diecedue, Sr.,

Glenn Diecedue attended Andrew Jackson Elementary, Live Oak Jr. High & L.E. Rabouin High School. He started

playing drums in junior high.

His first major band was with, "Paul Varisco and The

Milestones". Glenn was on their first two recordings,

"She's A Big Girl Now" and "Tell Me Where Love Goes".

The band also backed up artists like Eddie Bo, Ernie K-Doe, Benny Spellman, Gerri Hall, Bobby Mitchell and

Professor Longhair.

In the late 60's/early 70's, he played with Freddie Fender, "The Dead End Kids" at the Playboy Club who backed up

Lou Rawls. He also played at the Famous Door on Bourbon Street with the " Bourbon Street Six" jazz band and with

Clarence "Frogman" Henry at the Backstage.

Glenn also backed up Jackie Wilson at the Black Knight in Metairie. In 1968, Glenn studied from Reed Vaughn at

Werleins to improve his drum reading. During this same time, he went on the road with a show band called, "The

Show Offs". While playing at the Ivanhoe with a band called, "Salt Meat", who recorded in Nashville. There he was

offered to take D.J. Fontana's studio work (Elvis Presley's original drummer) at Music City Studio.

In the 80's, Glenn played at the Keyhole with Huey Bourgeois, Earl Ortego, Gary Alleman, Johnny Justis and Sonny

B. He also played at the Robert E. Lee, Canal Bank Inn, and the Fireman's Hall with the "What Band". In 1986, he

was the house band drummer at the Old Scorpio.

In the 90's, he played with the "Loose Change Band" and also backed up Pete Fountain with the, "St. Charles Street

Car Band". He has recently played with Westbank favorites like,

Duane Schurh, Skeeter Thomassie and Ronnie Boudreaux:

Glenn currently plays with, " Jeannie Breazeale & The Nite Kaps" jazz band and also with the "Ready, Willing & Able"

traditional jazz band on the Riverbarge Explorer at the

Riverwalk in New Orleans.

Glenn has 3 children, 2 step-children and 7 grandchildren. He was been married to Ethelda Diecedue for the last 12

years and has his own insurance agency

Herbert J. Scully was born on March 10, 1943 in Morgan

City, Louisiana to Herbert Sr. and Mabel Scully. He had 7 brothers, Reed, Raymond, Edward, J.C., Lennis, Michael

and Joseph and 6 sisters, Shirley, Val Jean, Margaret, Luella, Vonna Mae and Gail. He attended Morgan City High

School until his father's untimely death, when he began working odd jobs to support the family. His love for music

began shortly after when he learned to play guitar and sing with family members.

His first band was called, "The Fugitives". After they broke up he began to fill in for other bands as a lead singer and

rhythm guitar player. His passion for music brought him to work part-time nights and weekends, at local clubs such

as, the Moulin Rouge, Scorpio, Keyhole, Fireman's Hall, Country Club and the Sunrise Inn in Crown Point. He later

discovered that the style of music he played would he called, "Swamp Pop". He stayed true to his roots playing and

singing until his medical condition prevented him.

Herbert was married in April 1962 to Anna Bell Mayon also from Morgan City. They have 4 children, Pamela, Herbert

Jr., Albrush and Sean. Soon after the hirth of their 3 child, they moved to Avondale, Louisiana. They also have 8

grand children.

Herbert worked in sales and collections for over 35 years with Union National Insurance and later Security Plan

Insurance Companies, until he retired due to ailing medical condition, passing away on May 8, 200

John Edward Bonvillain was born in New Orleans on June

8, 1951 to John Peter and Winona Benoit Bonvillain. John was raised in the Irish Channel with his sisters Donna and

Laura before the family moved to the Westhank in Gretna where he still lives today.

John started out playing with Russ Russell and The Stingrays at the early age of 13. John also played with Russ

Russell and the Rustlers, New South, Rebel Heart, The Hot Sauce Band, The G-String Blue Grass Band and the N-

Turns.

Some of the many venues he has played include the 509 Club, The Congress Inn, The Down's Lounge, Club

Country, Four Palms, Rouge's Gallery, Armadillo East, Flora-Bama Lounge, The Tumbleweed, The Banding Iron, The

Hired Hand, Broncos, Mudbugs, Ruby's Roadhouse and Paw's Barn. He also performed at the first 25 Jazz Fests at

the WOE Country Stage and has recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. John has performed on stage with such great

artists as: Hank Williams, Jr., Jerry Jeff Walker, Tex Watson, Boxcar Willie, David Allen Coe, Freddy Fender, Tammy

Wynette, Mel Tillis, Stonewall Jackson, Jeannie Pruitt, Bruce Daigrepont and Eddie Powers. John has been played

the guitar and bass guitar for the past 43 years.

For the past 25 years John has also worked along side his father John Peter Bonvillain at the family music store in

Gretna as well as still playing music. He is father to Karen Bonvillain Rogers and Alessa Bonvillain Massey and

grandfather to Ashleigh, Logan and Earl who help their grandfather and great-grandfather in the music stor

”Smokey" was born on December 14, 1929, the son of the late George and Olivia Toups Guthrie. He grew up in

Westwego and Marrero, Louisiana.

"Smokey" Guthrie played music all his life. As a young boy he - played the horn and guitar. He was the lead guitar for

"Nick and the Delta Boys Cajun Band up until the time of his death. He was also with the band when it was know as, "

Nick and The Bayou Play Boys".

Over the years "Smokey" played music with many local musicians

and other bands such as, Allen Fontenot, Lionel Hughes, Mert Goff, Bubby Crawford, Gerald Dubois, Dudley Vicknair

Sr., Tommy LeBlanc, Blackie Savoie, Al Foret and his band, Gilroy Gisclair, Ray & Joey Gill, D.D. Broussard, Paul

Edwards, Richard Brown, Jimmy Palmisano, Smokey Hartman, the Star Lights Band and Slue Foot Band.

For many vears, practice and rehearsal sessions with, " Nick and

The Delta Boys Cajun Band", were held at "Smokey's" home in Waggaman.

He played at many local bars and dance halls like, The Keyhole, The

Stage Coach, The Moulin Rouge, The Canal Bank Inn, The Squirrel Cage, The Robert E. Lee, A & A Bar, Lantern

Lounge, The Golden Anchor, Country Swing, Round House, Hank's Place, Salt Bayou Lounge, Blue Angel Inn,

Ruth's Place, The Trudeau Club, Brewer's, The Holiday Inn in Kenner, Ronnie's Bar and many others.

"Smokey" was the owner of "Smokey's Caboose" in Harvey, Louisiana for about 15 years. He was previously

employed By Fishing Tools, Inc. and was retired at the time of his death.

"Smokey" was married to Mary Lou Aucoin Guthrie for 49 years at the time of his death on January 30,1998 of

congestive heart failure. They raised a daughter, Gayland Guthrie Danos and two sons, Carlos J. and the late Mark

A. Guthrie and are the grandparents of Carissa J. and Jennifer

M. Danos

Born on June 27, 1968 in Houma, Louisiana to D.J. and Emely Collins, Kelly has one brother, Roddy Collins, Sr..

Having lived in Bayou Lafourche area all her life, Kelly graduated from South Lafource High School in 1986.

She's married to Rickey A. Benoit and has 2 children and 2

step-children.

Kelly has been in the music business for 27 years. She started playing music at the age of 12 with her father and

brother. Through the years they have backed up musicians such as: Vin Bruce, Harry Anselmi, Royce Naquin, Les

Domainge, Pott Folse, Wayne Foret, Gary I. and many others.

The band has performed in such places as: PJ's Fed Pond, La Cruise Ship, Old Scorpio, Fireman's Hall, Mitch

Martin's, Baby Dolls, Superdome, Rome's Lounge, The Sand Dollar, Silverado, to name a few.

We are all recording artists and have 9 cd's out which include, Country, Swamp Pop and Gospel. We hope to be

recording for many more years to come.

To all our fans, we thank you and May God Bless yo

Also known as "Johnny Crook", Leroy Chiasson was born

at Mary Plantation in Raceland, on November 7, 1933 to Easman Anthony and Marie Nora Eschette Chiasson. Leroy

has 3 sisters, Alice Mae, Velma and Elizabeth and 2 bothers Freddie and Jason. Raised in Mathews, Louisiana on

South Coast Plantation, Leroy attended Mathews Elementary, Holy Savior and Lockport High Schools.

Leroy has been a musician, playing bass guitar for the last 28 years. He has played with bands named, "The Krazy

Kajuns",

"Dupe & The Drifters" and "The Cajun Ramblers".

He's played several dance halls and clubs up and down

Bayou Lafourche such as: Hank's and P.J.'s in Golden Meadow, Rig 11, Gabby's, Dawn's, Tiki, The Seller and Laurel

Valley in Thibodaux, Nelson & Willie's, Unicorn, Tee-Lee's and American Legion in Raceland, Ward 7 and Lindsey's

dance hall in Chauvin, Weslow Farms and Bayou Blue Lounge in Bayou Blue, Harvey's Cypress Inn in Chackbay,

along with many weddings and private parties.

In 1952, Leroy enlisted in the United States Navy and served until 1956. He has worked at the sugar mill in Mathews,

at Thibodaux's Boiler Works, Foret's Grocery and has been retired now from Avondale Shipyard's for the last 9 years.

Leroy has been married for the last 54 years to the former

Geralyn Marie Dufrene and have raised 1 son, Jason and have 2 grandchildren. The couple reside in Raceland,

Louisiana.

Leroy is still an active musician playing twice a week; every Friday at Ronnie's Lounge and every Sunday afternoon

at the Cajun Corner both in Houma, Louisiana

Mel Oliver was born on September 28, 1939 in New

Orleans to Paul and Gilda Oliver. He has 1 brother, Paul Jr. and 1 sister Gilda. He attended Warren Easton High

School and graduated from Delgado College.

In his early teens, after hearing Les Paul and Mary Ford's recording of "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise" he

knew he had to play the guitar. So in 1955, his mother bought him an 0-18 Martin guitar and he began studying music

with Mr. A.J.

Guma at Werlein's in New Orleans. He learned to play country music by listening to the records of Hank Williams,

Lefty Frizzell and Ray Price.

In 1959, he began to hang out in any honky tonk that had a

country band so he could learn the guitar licks. His first band was with Carl Whatley on vocals and Harold Campo on

drums.

Next was with B.J. Johnson at the Club Sahara in Pear River, Louisiana and also played on WRJW in Picayune,

Mississippi.

Then in 1974, Billy Norred called him for a "temporary gig" that lasted 7 years. Those were his favorite years. During

this time, he has the pleasure of playing with such musicians as, Earl Ortego, Mike Harrison, Dee Dee Ward,

Herschel Lyerla, Jesse Laird, Bobbie Cupit, Eddie Curtis, Joe Manuel, Dave Adams and Paul Broussard. The band

played at The Lantern Lounge, The Suburban Club, Waylan & Willie's, The Stagecoach and Billy's Cotton Eye Joe's.

With other groups he played at the Moulin Rouge, Fireman's Hall, The Scorpio, at Billie's Silver Dollar in New Orleans

East with Elden Chedville.

He has been married since 1964 to the former Gay Johanson and has raised 2 daughters, Paula and Donna who

both play piano and sing. The thing he enjoys most is playing Roger Miller songs for his 2 grandchildren, Alex 6 years

old and Audrey who is 4 years old

Born on March 17, 1927 in Houma, Louisiana to Frances and Marie Danos Contranchis. Nick is the brother of Horace

Contranchis of Crown Point, Louisiana and surviving brother of the late Joseph and Leno Contranchis, and Lena C.

Pomisino and Lorraine C. Graffato.

Nick and his family moved from LaFourche Parish to the Westbank in the

late 1940's and still lives on the same property in Marrero today.

He started playing music in the mid 1950's, when he formed his band,

"Nickie and the Bayou Play Boys". In 1972, Nick recorded two songs,

"Summertime" and "In My Heart" on the CRAWDAD label, with the help of Marion Marcotte and Jimmy Trahan. Also

on this recording were Earl Ortego, Huey Bourgeois, Gary Danos and Jimmy Palmisano. In the mid 1970's Nick

changed the name of his band to, "Nick and the Delta Boys Cajun Band", playing his favorite Country and Cajun

songs. The main band members of this band for the past 30-35 years were Billy Webb on steel guitar, Carl

Contranchis on bass, Jerry Chiasson on drums, the late Clincy Gros on violin and the late

"Smokey" Guthrie on lead guitar.

Over the years Nick had the pleasure of playing with such great musicians as: Marion Marcotte, Allen Fontenot, Vin

Bruce, Jimmy Trahan, Paul Edwards, Tommy LeBlanc, Gerald Dubois, Raymond Tassin, Nolan Dufrene and Dudley

Vicknair, Sr. and many many others.

Nick played in such clubs as, The Keyhole, The Canal Bank Inn, The

Fireman's Hall, The Wego Opry, The Swamp Inn, The Captain's Table, Beulah's Palace, Hank's Place, The Last

Round Up, The Sunrise Inn, The Jungle Inn, The J & J Bar, Fuzzy's, The Blue Angel Inn, Ruth's Palace, The Moulin

Rouge, The Trudeau Club, Ronnie's Bar, Pete's Lounge, The Whistle Stop, The Round House, The Orchid Lounge,

The Crow's Nest and many many weddings, VFW and American Legion dances.

Nick retired from Jefferson Parish Roads and Bridges in 1982 with 25

years of service.

He was married to the late Beverly Carmouche for 46 years until her death

in 2001. Nick raised 7 children Don, Carl, Nickie Jr., Albert, Sandy, Glenda Pierce Boutte and the late Jerry

Contranchis Nick has 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Nick is graciously donating his Epiphone Box Guitar to the Westbank

Musician's Hall of fame which he played music with since buying it brand new more than 35 years ago

The only boy with 5 sisters named Millie, Susan, Donna, Peggy and Cheryl, Paul Broussard was born on January 27,

1955 to Paul Sr. and Joyce Marie Folse Broussard. He attended Harvey Elementary, Marrero Jr. High, West

Jefferson High School and ITT Technical Institute for Industrial Instrumentation.

Paul has been playing music for 37 years, from 4" Street to the Grand Ole Opry. He played trumpet in Jr. High but at

age 15 he was playing drums, like his father. His Uncle "Butch" Folse taught him his 1" chords on guitar & how not to

be afraid to sing.

He's played at the Fireman's Hall with the musicians that played with his dad like, Bobby Varnado and Angelo Costa.

At the Tiffin Inn with Helen Wilson and George Perez. He's played Country & Western Music with Billy Norred. At age

16 he worked with Earl Ortego. Then at age 18 he played with John Bonvillain Sr. and Jr. who has been his friend for

37 years. Later he formed a group called, "New South" which played at the Tumbleweed in Kenner. Paul has also

played with Ernest Tubb and Dell Reeves at the Grand Ole Opry.

Paul played at the Old Scorpio with Tommy Sea, Curley Langley and Bob Allen, at the Lantern Lounge with David

Adams and Zack, at the Moulin Rouge with Ray Freeman, Joe Barry, Mel Oliver, Jimmy Palmisano, Jules Gaspard,

"Grits" Ramagos, Don "Tubby" Plaisance, Jessie Laird, Charlie Bagesse, Don Stelly, Herb Scully, Leroy Martin, Rufus

Thibodaux and Norman Wade.

In the early 80's he signed with Country World Productions, where he wrote and recorded, "A Cajun's Life", "Till I'm

Out of My Mind", "T'll Love Country Music Till I Die", "Beautiful and Bald" and "A Letter to Mama".

There are many people who helped Paul become the musician he is and his heartfelt thanks goes out to Billy Norred,

Angelo Costa, Gary Alleman, Midge Terminie, Paul and Joyce Broussard who put music and personality in his life.

Paul has also worked for Marine Systems, International Marine, Avondale Shipyards and Wonder Bread until age 47

when he suffered two heart attacks.

Paul has two daughters, Angela and Dorothy and a grand daughter Taylor Madison. He has been married to the

former Sharon LeCompte for the past 17 years and the couple reside in Bridge City, Louisiana