|
Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Brown & blue retro
.. Let me give you the 411 on me. I am a 7
year leukemia survivor. I was born in Lake Arthur,
Louisiana and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. I started
singing in nightclubs throughout East Texas and
Louisiana, performing blues and rock-n-roll music. I
knew I was destined to be in the music business because
I was singing at age 3 and sang my first paying gig at
age 13. I then worked with Jivin' Gene's band in
Beaumont, TX. I'll forever be grateful to Jivin' Gene
for giving me my first break in the music business. From
1962 to 1966 I headlined in Bossier City at such clubs
as Merle Kimmerly’s nationally famous Boom Boom Room,
the Diamond Head Lounge, and The Shindig Lounge. At that
time I was signed with 123 Records, a subsidary of
Capitol Records, and had a record on the charts called
"Dirty Woman" and "Walkin' My Baby". One of the best
times of my career was back in 1971 to 1973 when myself
and Oran Guidry fronted the band called “Machine”. It
was one of the tightest bands I ever worked with and
some of the best musicians in Louisiana. After leaving
MACHINE, I worked with T.K. Hulin, G.G. Shinn, &
James Gee for 6 years. This was also a great time for
me. In 1977 to 1978 I worked with Terry Guidry, lead
singer of Nik-L Beer, in a band called "Allen Wayne
& Friends", which was also one of the best fun gigs
of my life. In 1980 I decided to leave Louisiana to
pursue a solo career. I spent the next 5 years in
Houston, Texas. My career took off and by 1981 I had my
own Las Vegas styled show band called “The Main Event”.
I had a recording contract with Gilley’s Recording
Studio and with the help of Bert Frilot, my manager and
record producer, I recorded numerous singles and albums.
In 1984 I decided to go to California. I spent the next
20 years there. I lived in North Hollywood for about 3
years and then moved to Hemet, CA, which is in the
desert, near Palm Springs, CA. I performed at resorts,
clubs and private parties. I was having way too much fun
playing golf 5 days a week and performing 3 to 4 nights
a week, when in 1999 I was diagnosed with leukemia, a
very fatal form called AML. With only 14% chance of
survival rate, I had to have a stem cell transplant to
have any chance of saving my life. That was the worst,
scariest, and most painful time of my life. I spent a
total of 7 months in the hospital. I have now been in
remission for 6 years as of May 1, 2007 and I now have
high hopes for my future. In 2004 I relocated back to my
roots in Louisiana. In 2006 I joined the Boogie Kings. I
was being interviewed by Paul Marx of KBON radio station
one morning on Cancer Day, when Ned Theall, leader of
the Boogie Kings, happened to be listening to my
interview. The next day he called and asked if I would
consider fronting the Boogie Kings. I accepted the honor
and I am proud to say I am now a Boogie King. I am now
having a great time renewing old friendships and gaining
new ones. I am finally back living in Cajun Country and
if God’s willing, I’m going to die here. My wife of 35
years, Dianne, is by my side, supporting me all the way.
In 2001, while in the hospital for my stem cell
transplant, I was inducted into the LOUISIANA HALL OF
FAME. In 2006 the Boogie Kings recorded a CD called
"Never Go Away". I have 4 original songs on the CD,
which I wrote and sang. Ain’t life grand! My life is
working!
|
