Carl Contranchis' Bio

 

Carl Contranchis was born on December 18, 1956 to Nickie “Nick” Contranchis and Beverly Carmouche Contranchis.  As a young boy, Carl attended Miller Wall Elementary School in Marrero, Marrero Middle School and graduated from West Jefferson High School in Harvey, Louisiana in 1975. 

 

At the age of 8, Carl got his first guitar and learned to play.  He and his dad, Nick Contranchis, practiced often.  By the age of 10, Carl got his first bass guitar and after learning a few notes, he practiced with his dad and other band members.  By the age 13, Carl was sitting in at special events such as weddings, parties, etc. 

 

When he was about 15 years old he was allowed to enter Beulah’s Palace on Lafayette Street and Fourth Street Gretna and sit in with the band.  At the age of 16, Carl played at a Fais-do-do at a Church in New Orleans, not far from Magazine Street, which featured Marion Marcotte.  Not long after that, Carl was playing steady his dad and The Delta Boys Cajun Band (Bill Webb, Clincy Gros, Joseph “Smokey” Guthrie, and Jerry Chaisson). 

 

In the early 1980's until the late 1980’s The Delta Boys Cajun Band was busy playing 4 sometimes 5 nights a week.

 

Over the years Carl had the distinct opportunity to play with many other musicians such as:

 

• Alan Fontenot (Violin / Vocals)
• Marion Marcotte (Rythym / Vocals)
• Dudley Vicknair, Sr. (Bass / Rythym)
• DD Broussard (Drums)
• Big Tommy LeBlanc (Bass)
• Al Louvel (Lead Guitar)
• Blackie Savois (Steel Guitar)
• Paul Edwards (Steel Guitar)
• Big Al Foret (Bass)
• Jessie Cook (Rythym / Vocals)
• Paul Beach (Violin)
• Big Gerald Dubois (Drums)
• Jerry Morvant (Lead Guitar / Steel)

 

These are just to name a few as there were many others.

 

Like his father, Carl was able to play many venues over his musical career.  The following, just to name a few, were:

 

• The Whistle Stop, Kenner, LA
• Fuzzy's Bar, Lafitte, LA
• The Launch, Pearlington, MS
• Hank's Place, Bridge City, LA
• Ronnie's Bar, New Orleans, LA
• Tab's Loune, Jefferson, LA
• The Swamp Inn, Westwego, LA
• The Canal Bank Inn, Westwego, LA
• The Holiday Inn Airport, Kenner, LA
• The Monaco Bar, Marrero, LA
• Brewer's Restaurant, Kenner, LA
• The Blue Angel Inn, Belle Chasse, LA
• The Tavern, Lafitte, LA
• Hank's Place, Chalmette, LA
• Pat's Place, Gretna, LA
• The Junk Yard, Marrero, LA

 

Since about 1998, after the band semi-retired from Bars and Clubs, the band played many Nursing Homes.  What started out to be two (2) Nursing Homes each month ended up being at least one (1) Nursing Home every week in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, and St. Tammany Parishes. 

 

Carl is now focusing his attention to recording some his dad's previous work in his studio. 

 

Carl currently resides in the City of Gretna.  He is the father of five and has four grandchildren.