Chubby Carrier
... is undeniably "The World's Premier Zydeco Showman." Born on July 1, 1967 in Churchpoint, Louisiana, Chubby is the third generation of zydeco artists with such famous relatives as Roy Carrier (father), Warren Carrier (grandfather), and cousins Bebe and Calvin Carrier who are presently considered legends in zydeco history.
Chubby began his musical career at the age of 12 by playing drums with his father's band. He began playing the accordian at the age of 15. By age 17, Chubby had begun to play with Terrance Siemien and toured the world for 2 1/2 years, before forming his own band in 1989.
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band have recorded five CDs over the past ten years of Chubby's professional career. His band has traveled all over the world, performing to audeiences in all parts of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada. North Africa and Europe. Chubby and the band travel 150-175 days a year, taking his act to big festivals such as the New Orlenas Jazz Fest, the Chicago Blues Fest. Summerfest (Milwaukee), Memphis in May, and several festivals in Europe. Chubby has also done guest appearances on recordings for Tab Benoit, 6Was9, and Jimmy Thackery. Ann Wilson of the group Heart encourages Chubby to "continue the great sound that you have. This sound will take you places."
Earl Sally
... is a whirling ball of live-wire energy onstage. Formerly with Terrence Simien for eight years, {Simien recorded with Paul Simion during this time}. In 1990 he moved to Canada, and then to California in 1992.
In 1994, Earl started his own band and then relocated to Seattle, Washington, where he remained until 1997. A move to Louisiana in 1998 found him performing with Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers.
In May of 2000, Earl became a vital part of CCBSB.
Corey Duplechin
As a native of Du Large, Louisiana, Corey Duplechin began playing in a junior high jazz ensemble after his brother gave him his first bass. After playing different genres of music, he found his passion for roots music. This allowed him to mature musically and exposed him to different bands. He became a "play anywhere, anytime" player.
Getting restless with the local scene he decided to branch out and hit the road. Hooking up with Chubby Carrier in 1995, his aggressive multi-style fit the Bayou Swamp Band. He's toured the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and has played over 175 shows a year for the past ten years with Carrier. This experience has shown Corey that the stage is his home; and entertaining is his life blood.
Album credits include:
"Guitars Players for the Homeless" benefit album with Tab Benoit, Self titled "Nikki Rhodes Project" Three solo albums for William McCormick, Harry Anselmi's "Hello Sunshine" with Tab Benoit and Waylon Thibodeaux, Amanda Shaw's "Little Black Dog", Chubby Carrier's last six albums, "Who Stole the Hot Sauce", Too Hot to Handle", "It's Party Time", Take Me to the Zydeco", and "Ain't No Party Like a Chubby Party", and "Bayou Road"
A.J. Bellow
A.J. is a native of Lake Charles LA...He is the son of Chubby Carrier...A.J was born in a zydeco family...Listening to his father and grandfather (Roy Carrier) perform since he was a baby...At the tender age of 8 years old A.J would play jam sessions with his father (Chubby Carrier) in Chubby's apartment...Later as years past by A.J. would join in on some jam sessions at his grandfather's club in Lawtell...At the age of 15 he joined forces with Sean Ardoin's zydeco band....He played with Sean for about 2 years...Just this past fall A.J. decided join his fathers band...Wow, AJ is now the 4th generation zydeco artist out of the Carrier family...So come get a little family traditon at the next Chubby party....
Randy Ellis
Originally from Thibodaux, Louisiana, Randy had an interest for music at an early age. When he was 5 years old his grandmother found him and his brother using tennis rackets as guitars while "playing along" to Ray Stevens song "Guitarzan". She then asked them both if they wanted to play guitar and being typical 4 and 5 year olds they replied "yes". Well Randy hasn't put his guitar down since!
After teaching the music class through High School Randy then attended Guitar Institute of Technology where he graduated with honors. After graduation he went on to study music under the Ellis Marsalis Jazz Program in New Orleans. There he was exposed to Rock, Soul, R & B, Zydeco, Country and Blues-and did he ever fall in love with the Blues. Taking in , mixing and melting together everything he'd learned, Randy created his distinct sound and style. In 1995 Randy toured with Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band and later with Roddy Romero through out the United States, Canada and Europe. Randy relocated to Dallas, Texas in what you might call the Blues Breaker of his career. In 1997 he joined SHAME SHAME, his first all out Blues band, and brought his New Orleans Blues and Zydeco influence to help forge the overall sound of the band.
After Randy's first appearance with SHAME SHAME in a popular Dallas nightspot the owner approached one of the members and asked " Who is the new guitar player?" He replied " 10 letters, Two words, Randy Ellis, Don't forget em."
