With four players originally hailing from Louisiana (probably predictable per the band’s name) complemented by two home-grown Metroplex performers, all of the musicians in the energetic group now reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. A little older and a little wiser,all six of these talented musicians decided several years back to come off of the road,settle down, start families and make their homes in the Metroplex. The result is a DFW-based band made up of some of the most talented and experienced entertainers around.
The current lineup includes flamboyant singer David Froberg, along with keyboardist/vocalist Lyle Blanchard, guitarist/vocalist Keith “Lizzard” Crappelle, bassist Darryl Davis, saxophonist/flutist/vocalist Philip “Tchoupitoulas” Phistry,and drummer/vocalist Raymond Blanchard.
All six members compose music in a variety of styles, but, while they might occasionally sneak in one of their originals during a show,King Creole’s play list has been carefully composed to offer a start-to-finish onslaught of songs everyone will recognize and enjoy.
Chances are that fans of local music or touring acts have already seen one or more of the band’s performers onstage. The current members of King Creole have played parts in some of the most popular and recognized groups in the region, lending their talents over the years to Dash Riprock & the Dragons, Vince Vance & the Valiants, the Betty Band, the Wild Mohicans, the J.B. Strut Band, the
G-Men, and the Party Crashers. Nowadays,when King Creole takes the stage, the band’s lineup represents 175-plus combined years of serious professional entertaining experience.
These six accomplished entertainers come from extremely diverse musical backgrounds, and this has resulted in a band with a unique blend of talent that allows for an incredible array of musical styles during each performance. It is not often a band takes the stage that can follow up a raw rocker from the Cure, Creedence Clearwater Revival or Bruce Springsteen with a medley of ’50s favorites from Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons that includes “Sherry,” “Rag Doll” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – and then swing into a steamy staple like Joe Cocker’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” whisk the party away to “Margaritaville,” and then help you “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” … without missing a beat.
Motown, disco, classic rock, blues, ballads, big-time hits, golden oldies and more – King Creole has it. Oh, and lest anyone forget that King Creole is the only band in the Metroplex with the fabled “Gun of Fun.” (We’ll explain it later.) The band boasts five fabulous vocalists, each distinctively different. It’s this versatility, along with the musicians’ passion for live performance, that ultimately makes King Creole one of the North Texas area’s most sought-after festival, wedding reception and party bands.