|
|
|
|
Feature
Articles -
The Fabulous Boogie Kings |
Boogie Kings |
|
The reunions were beginning to happen every year or two, but no one ever dreamed what was about to happen. Our 1991 reunion was held in a small town named Cade, Louisiana, population about 500. This was a very good reunion. The club was small, the crowd was good and the band, as usual was outstanding. We made some good money, did our fellowship thing, and once again everyone went home happy. We figured we'd see each other in about a year or two. I had my own music store at this time and was beginning to get very secure. I was in my fifties now and the fleeting dreams of being a rock 'n roll hero had long since vanished. This is not to say that I didn't want to make it with the band, but at a certain time in one's life, he must read the handwriting on the wall. Only a fool would dare to begin a musical venture at the age of 55. On August 8, 1991, I was awakened abruptly by a phone call from a club owner in Baton Rouge. He said that he would like to book the band. I told him that I would rustle up some players and go and do a gig for him. This was followed by another phone call from a booking agent in New Orleans. The agent said he had a ton of work for a band like the Boogie Kings in the New Orleans area. So I told him that I would throw something together with the old guys and we would play his gigs. Not two hours later the phone rang for a third time and it was Marsh Edelstein from Minnesota. Marsh was the booking agent for seven of the Grand Casinos in our area and he asked if I would be interested in a year's worth of gigs at different casinos. Well, that was it. That totally freaked my shit! I had booked about a hundred and twenty five thousand dollars worth of gigs in that one day and the phone was still ringing. I can't explain it unless it was God ringing that phone. After a tremendous amount of soul searching about whether I should sell my business or pursue my dream, (This lasted about ten seconds) I decided to go for it. What the hell; you only live once and who cares how long it would last, I simply had not finished my mission. I figured it would last a year or two. I mean, how could it possibly last any longer than that? I was sure that everyone had forgotten who we were or they had died of old age. You have to be realistic, you know. We began to play our gigs one by one. I was very lucky in the beginning of the comeback that I was able to use the three strongest lead singers that the band ever had. GG Shinn, Jerry Lacroix and Duane Yates. They were getting older and had quite a bit of mileage on them, but any one of those three guys could destroy a crowd at the drop of a hat. As we did our performances in the early part of the comeback, I could feel myself being filled with an emotional fulfillment that I had never had before. I figured that this time I would just relax and enjoy and thank God for giving me this honor one more time. By all rights, it really was a miracle. I will always remember the gigs that we played in the early nineties because we were still able to burn all other bands in our path. We still had the respect of other musicians and others in the business. They knew that they were witnessing a miracle. It was evident. GG was the first one to go. He had always had his own aspirations and dreams, and I knew that he wouldn't be there forever. But he had helped me to launch the comeback and I will forever be grateful to this man. I am proud to say that I have played many hundreds of shows with this man, and I have never seen him do a bad performance. GG Shinn will be remembered as one of the finest entertainers that South Louisiana ever produced. GG owns two night clubs in Louisiana now and he entertains occasionally at both of them, still performing at the top of his game. GG's old and new recordings are available at boogiekings.com. Jerry stayed with the band for a couple of years after GG left, and he and Duane carried the show as well as two entertainers could ever do. Jerry was having problems with alcohol, but it never affected his show. Jerry is one of the most gifted caucasian rhythm & blues vocalists that ever was. He is sort of like a white Ray Charles. Some of the most emotionally filled performances that I have ever had the privilege to witness have been by this man. He is still performing today with his own group in Texas. Jerry, like the rest of us, never did get that hit record that we all strived for. Jerry Lacroix is in everyone's Hall of Fame. Many of his soul stirring renditions are available at boogiekings.com. This man was great when he was seventeen years old and he has gotten better with age. Jerry and I were adversaries for our whole Boogie Kings life, but I am happy to say that today we have buried the hatchet and each have the utmost respect for each other. Duane remained with the band until a couple of years ago. We could always count on Duane Yates to save the day for the band. As long as we had one of the major vocalists, we always seemed to pull it off. Duane has finally retired, although he has a home studio and is still recording tracks in his spare time. I can remember days in the sixties where Duane always had the crowd in the palm of his hand. The emotion that came from Duane's soul really could not be matched by anyone. He was heavily influenced by Otis Redding, and if ever there was a white Otis, it was Duane Yates. I am happy to say that today, we have preserved thirteen CD's which are for sale on the internet at our website. I am amazed to receive orders for our music from all over the globe. I would not trade my life and experiences for anything on this earth. I will close with an excerpt from my book, "Living Like A King". "To all of the thousands of Boogie Kings fans throughout the world who have supported us through the historic Boogie Kings era, you have my unconditional love forever. It was because of you that we were able to maintain a standard of excellence that will never be equaled by anyone, anytime, anyplace. Without your total support and dedication, there would be no Boogie Kings." "To the aspiring young musicians, I have only this to say. If we have inspired you, we have served you well. Pursue your goals with vigor and enthusiasm. If you stumble and fall along the way, pick yourself up, brush yourself off and get back in the race. Believe in yourself and you will find that dreams really do come true." "You see..God planned it that way. Part 4 Copyright
2002
|
|
BMFMain - Mission - Contact BMF - Happenings - Prez Sez - Articles - CD Reviews - Artists - Links - map |