All members of The Avenue Cruisers were born and raised in Donaldsonville, Louisiana and cut their musical teeth listening and dancing to the rich, New Orleans influenced R&B bands that performed at the legendary Town and Country Club – once a Mecca for weekend dances in South Louisiana.
George LaTour, Boco LaTour, Glenn Sotile, Stanley Rome, Ray Capone and Anthony Marcello are The Avenue Cruisers.
George and Boco LaTour - brother and sister - began their musical careers in the 1960’s, as founding members of the regionally popular band The Fifth Autumn. George (keyboard, guitar, vocals) and Boco (vocals) performed for years throughout Louisiana and neighboring states. Marriages and raising families eventually slowed down their musical careers, but not before George formed another band, Cocodris, playing and recording many original songs. Boco was also a member of Cocodris. She has recorded with the likes of Luther Kent, Duke Bardwell, and Rufus Jagneaux of Lafayette.
George and Boco are together again, having formed The Avenue Cruisers about a year ago.
Glenn Sotile (drums) - began playing music professionally also in the 1960’s, with his father’s Dixieland Jazz band, Mitch and the Widetracks. Still performing occasionally now as Mitch and the Originals, Glenn enjoys making music with his 80 year old dad, but his true passion for music goes back to his Town and Country Club roots. The musical style of The Avenue Cruisers allows Glenn to explore that passion and express it freely in popular songs they cover; from Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Benny Spellman, and Dr. John to some originals written by George. After a few stints with bands in the Baton Rouge area, and for many years with the house band at Vince Sotile's restaurant (now Ruffinos), Glenn hopes to play music with The Avenue Cruisers until he also is 80!
Stanley Rome (bass, vocals) – has been playing music since he was 6 years old (harmonica). Early lessons on the guitar, clarinet and trombone eventually brought Stan to the bass, which he played in his first band at the age of 14. He has been playing bass ever since. Stan has played and recorded with many bands in the Donaldsonville, Thibodeaux, and Baton Rouge areas (including spots with Mitch and the Originals). He too drifted from playing regularly in order to raise a family. But he is now ready, willin’, and able to rock and roll all night long! Of note during Stan’s career is the time he played in the Percy Sledge back-up band, once touring in Jamaica with Percy.
Ray Capone (guitar, vocals) – began playing on a Sears guitar when he was 15 years old. Ray played in several local (Donaldsonville) bands in the 1960’s and 1970’s, touring Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Ray and Stanley are cousins, and have been playing together for many years. Ray also took a break from his music career to raise a family. He eventually joined the nationally known band The Dick Nixons; performing at such venues as Tipitina’s and Storyville in New Orleans and at a music festival in France.
Anthony Marcello (vocals, guitar) - most of Anthony’s musical career has been as a “one man band.” He draws from a large repertoire of popular songs to entertain his audience. He has performed in a few local (Donaldsonville) bands and more recently with an acoustic trio which includes Ray. Anthony has just recently joined The Avenue Cruisers, and is working on incorporating his vocal style into their song list. He provides the Avenue Cruisers with a solid knowledge of sound mixing. He is the “balance man” and keeps everything under control!
love to hear you folks play, you create the flavor of a tasty home cooked cajun meal and make it flow out of your voices and instruments into the songs themselves. thanks for the add.
Thanks for the add....Froggy Moe Hoes...Fifth Autumn Forever...I love the music of the Cruisers...Tryin to bring some downhome groove to the great people of cincinnati...so hello ray,bocco,george,anthony,mr. sotile..."Do what You Do"... myspace.com/blueshivers
You never cease to amaze me and you ALWAYS do a manager proud! You rocked last nite, you packed the house! You are the best effin band in the entire world! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
yall are the greatest band evah! you fill my heat and fulfill my wishes! THANK YOU!!!! for my party! "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."
