
The band continues to be well rehearsed, and tailors its song list to the particular venue of each performance; i.e. Festivals, Casinos, Mardis Gras Balls, Big Weddings, Corporate Functions and Private Parties. All performances are rehearsed in advance of the engagement. We are professionals, and we will present ourselves, and perform for you in the same professional manner.
This is a BIG HORN BAND covering the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, and present day R&B, Funk, Jazz Rock, Rock, Soul, & some older Big Band arrangements.
The band caters to the client's particular format. We also have a small Country Western and Zydeco reportoire.
ANDI BOURQUE (Vocals & BG Vocals) – Andi is from the Lafayette area, and is a member of The Heart of Hospice Organization. She has been performing since she was 8 years old. She won 1st place in the Jimmy Dean Country Showdown in 1997; and also made an album entitled “2 Sweet” with her younger sister that same year. Andi has performed with CID, Blane Roy & Sundance, the Randy James Trio, Shimmur, and many other locals. Andi has a unique quality in her voice that is like no other you have heard. It can only be described as velvet, raspy sound, with silky overtones. She is a professional. She looks good on stage, and has good mannerisms. She is the band’s “Lady”.
DANNY BOURQUE (Vocals & BG Vocals) - Danny was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana, and has played music all of his life. As a singer and drummer, he has performed with many local bands, including "Castle", "Prime Time", and "Country in Demand". Danny is known for his soulful sound. He plays and sings a wide range of music, including Rock, R&B, Swamp Pop, Country, Disco, and Funk. As the newest member of the band, he is adjusting quickly to even more genres of music. Danny is also a self employed contractor, "Custom & Design Woodwork"; and has done this for the last 30 years....
STEVE SMITH (Keyboards, Lead & BG Vocals) - Steve is from Opelousas, LA. He is an exceptional musician. More to come........
RONNY CROWLEY (Drums)– Ronny is from Lafayette, LA. He is also a Marine and Viet Nam veteran. Ronnie performed with the Marine Corps Band. Ronny has been performing for the last 45 years or so with such bands as the Boogie Kings, Explosion, First Class, Tin Can, and more. He also did a Las Vegas stint with Big Tiny Little of the Lawrence Welk Show. Ronny is our metronome and uses both finesse and funkiness giving the band its powerful sound.
SHAYNE WHITMORE (Guitar & BG Vocals) – Shayne is from Simmesport, LA. He is a Marine, and is currently part of the staff at Fontenot Construction Co. Shayne has been performing for the last 35 years or so, with such groups as Machine, the Boogie Kings, WTF, and more. Shayne is our reliable, “Funky” guitarist.
TIMMY "DaddyFast" FOURNET (Bassist) - Growing up in a family of musicians, the love for music came early in Tim's life. As a young teenager, during the summer months, he would roadie for the band "Machine"; being influenced by its musicians Bobby Kimball, Sonny Landreth, Willie T, to name a few. Tim did not start playing music until much later in life. Following an oilfield accident, he taught himself to play bass guitar. After a two-year stent of working solely on fundamentals, he formed the band "Down Home", and began playing gigs to help support his family, while working on a Business Degree from LSU. From the mid 80's til present, Timmy has played in numerous bands covering the following genres: Cajun, Country, Funk and Rock, along with Jazz, R&B, Swing, and Zydeco. All of these are woven into his style of playing. Timmy prides himself in working hard to help make "the band" sound its best.
MIKE RITTER (Trumpet, Flugal Horn, & BG vocals) – Mike is from Lafayette, LA, and is a band director in New Iberia. He is a world-class trumpet player, and musician. He has been performing for the last 38 years or so with such bands as First Class, Hub City Rhythm, and the Boogie Kings. He has also played backup with many world- renowned musicians. Mike knows how to interpret the various styles of music, which in turn gives the tightness to the horn section, and has that big “Al Hirt” sound that gives the horn section “warmth”.
REX "ANDY" WILLIAMS - (Trumpet, Flugal Horn, & BG Vocals) - When Andy was just out of High School, he received a Scholarship to LSU. He majored n Music Performance on Trumpet. Hew was in the Tiger Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Lead Trumpet in the Jazz Band. Andy played and sang in many local bands in Baton Rouge, and the surrounding areas such as Stormy, and the Louisiana Road Review. Since 1992, Andy has also been leading Praise and Worship on Keys, Trumpet, and Vocals, in his home Church and various Outreaches and Missions in the United States, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Africa, and Russia.Andy is "Happily Married" to Charlotte Williams (6/21/14), and lives in Prairieville, Louisiana.
MIKE SAMBOLA (Alto, Tenor, & Bari Saxes) - Mike is a retired band director from Fontainebleau Jr. H.S. in St. Tammany Parish with 43 years of teaching experience, where his bands have consistently received Superior Sweepstakes ratings at both District and State levels. Mike resides near Hammond, LA in the small settlement of Pumpkin Center.
Mike has performed with such artists as Bob Hope, George Burns, Frank Sinatra Jr.,Frankie Avalon, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Della Reise,The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, The John Mahoney Big Band, The WWII Museum's Victory Swing Orchestra, The Jay Zainey Orchestra, and The Pat Barberot Orchestra.
Mike is an integral part of our horn section on Tenor and Baritone Saxes. He has a quality sound, and is an excellent musician, and team player.
JEFFREY FOURNET (Alto, Tenor, & Bari Saxes, & BG Vocals) – Jeffrey is originally from St. Martinville, LA and is also a Marine and Viet Nam veteran. He now resides in Gonzales, LA. He has been performing for such bands as the Bobby Freeman, the Emeralds, the Music Makers, the Wheels, the Chantels, the Marine Band, Machine, the Voyagers, Stormy, Tin Can, G. G. Shinn, T.K. Hulin, Coffee, Choices, The Boogie Kings, First Class, Swing 101 Big Band, The Pat Barberot Big Band, The Swingaroux Big Band, The Larry Foyen Big Band, and more. He has also played back up for the Spinners, Percy Sledge, the Drifters, the Platters and more. Jeffrey is the band owner, and manager. He does the promotional work, contracts, and booking (with everyone’s help), and does the horn arrangements. He also organizes rehearsals, handles photography, recording, and conducts site venue visits for sound and lighting, and all performance related logistics.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MUSICIANS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE BAND IN THE PAST
Jeff Robin - Vocals (Rest in Peace Jeff - We miss you our Friend)
Bubba Mier - Vocals & Keys
Sean Broullier - Vocals & Keys
Billy Pruitt - Vocals
Steve Morrow - Bass
Gordon Aloisio - Bass & Vocals
Chispa Rousselle - Trumpet
Larry Foyen - Trumpet
Alan Linker - Trumpet
Scott Frock - Trumpet
Blake Daniels - Trumpet
Bobby Campo - Trumpet
Dennis Debruler - Trumpet
Ray Moore - SAX
Ward Smith - SAX
Mike Pollard - SAX
Travis Blotsky- SAX
Brian Brignac - Drums
Andy Long - Drums
Josh Howard - Drums