SHELTON DUNAWAY/ Louisiana Swamp Music

 

SHELTON DUNAWAY/ Louisiana Swamp Music

 

            Although he has recorded quite a number of 45s under his own name, singer and saxophonist Shelton Dunaway is generally associated with the famous Louisiana Swamp pop band Cookie & The Cupcakes. We have tried here to gather all his recorded works under his name plus a selection of Cookie's records on which he is the lead vocalist. Sometime, to my ears, who is singing what is a little unsure although I've tried to follow what is written in Blues Discography.

            Born on 3d August 1934 in Monroe (Louisiana), Shelton Dunaway was raised by his mother in the more southern town of Lake Charles at the heart of the Acadiana country. At first influenced by the Western Swing bands heard on the local radios, Shelton took the saxophone after he watched R&B big bands touring Southern Louisiana. He quickly became a good player to be able at the age of 17 to play with several Louisiana bands, first Classie Ballou's and then Clayton Broussard's.

            In 1952 he joined Ernest Jacobs's Boogie Ramblers with whom he sang and played the saxophone. The group enjoyed a good following after saxophonist and singer Huey "Cookie" Thierry, a great entertainer and showman, joined the group and soon became its undisputed leader. They recorded several tracks for Eddie Shuler's Goldband label in 1953 although only one single was issued (Cindy Lou sang by Dunaway).

            From now on renamed Cookie & The Cupcakes, the band was constantly in demand all along the Gulf Coast, becoming a favorite of clubs, picnics and venues up to Houston and drawing the attention of several recording labels. One of Cookie's composition Mathilda jumped high
up the Billboard in 1958. Cookie & The Cupcakes continued to record extensively the following years as well as Shelton Dunaway under his own name. They also recorded behind several other singers like Carol Fran and Phil Phillips (on the number 1 Hit Sea of love)

           

The things changed drastically in 1965 when suddenly Thierry disappeared from Louisiana without warning anybody, apparently following his lady to California! He was replaced by singer/saxo player Lil Alfred Babino but without the charisma of Cookie, the band would never have the same fire and success.

            During the 1970's, Shelton had to make a living outside the music business. He resumed briefly his career during the 1990's, appearing at some festivals.

            He was found decades later on a nursing home by writer and researcher Gene Tomko who interviewed him for the Living Blues magazine. Most of this article comes from this interview.

                                                                       Gérard Herzhaft

 

 

SHELTON DUNAWAY, vcl/a-sax; Huey Peter Thierry, t-sax; Marshall Ladee, g; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Joe Landry, bs; Ivory Jackson, dms. Lake Charles, La. 1955

01. Cindy Lou

02. I'm going

03. Keep living

04. Such as love

05. In the evening

Shelton Dunaway, vcl/a-sax; Huey Thierry, t-sax; Sidney Reynaud, t-sax; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Marshall Ladee, g; Joe Landry, bs; Ivory Jackson, dms. Lake Charles, La. november 1958

06. Married life

Shelton Dunaway, vcl/a-sax; Huey Thierry, t-sax; Sidney Reynaud, t-sax; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Marshall Ladee, g; Joe Landry, bs; Soko Richardson, dms. Lake Charles, La. 1960

07. Just one kiss

08. I had the blues

09. Who would have thought it?

Shelton Dunaway, vcl/a-sax; Huey Thierry, t-sax; Sidney Reynaud, t-sax; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Marshall Ladee, g; Joe Landry, bs; Soko Richardson, dms. Lake Charles, La. 1962

10. Mary Lou doin' the popeye

11. Franko-Chinese cha cha cha

12. Since your love has grown cold

13. Please stand by me

14. I'm twisted

Shelton Dunaway, vcl/a-sax; Huey Thierry, t-sax; Sidney Reynaud, t-sax; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Marshall Ladee, g; Joe Landry, bs; Soko Richardson, dms. Lake Charles, La. 22 july 1963

15. Shake'em up

16. The duck

17. Honey hush

18. Betty & Dupree

Shelton Dunaway, vcl/a-sax; Huey Thierry, t-sax; Sidney Reynaud, t-sax; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Marshall Ladee, g; Joe Landry, bs; Soko Richardson, dms. Lake Charles, La. august 1963

19. Kissing someone else

20. It happens every time

21. Long time ago

Shelton Dunaway, vcl/a-sax; Huey Thierry, t-sax; Sidney Reynaud, t-sax; Ernest Jacobs, pno; Marshall Ladee, g; Joe Landry, bs; Soko Richardson, dms. Lake Charles, La. 1968

22. Send me some lovin'

23. Something on your mind

24. The peanut

25. Shake rattle and roll