The Boogie Kings began as a four-piece garage band in Eunice, Louisiana, in 1955. Formed by Douglas Ardoin, the original lineup included Bert Miller, Harris Miller, and Skip Morris. Their music drew heavily from the rhythm and blues of the 1950s and ’60s, covering artists such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Bobby “Blue” Bland, James Brown, and Wilson Pickett. Over time, their sound came to be described as “blue-eyed soul,” a label that suited the group’s blend of soulful vocals, horn arrangements, and Gulf Coast swagger.

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From those modest beginnings, the band expanded rapidly, eventually growing into a powerhouse ensemble of as many as fourteen musicians and releasing five albums during their early years. The Boogie Kings featured several notable vocalists throughout their history, including original frontman Bert Miller, as well as G.G. Shinn, Clint West, Duane Yates, and Jerry “Count Jackson” LaCroix. The band also included Port Arthur bassist Gary Dorsey. Their live performances gained wide attention, and they toured with major acts such as the Righteous Brothers, Bobby Bland, Otis Redding, and B.B. King. Although they drew serious interest from major labels in Los Angeles, the Boogie Kings disbanded in 1969, reuniting only occasionally in the years that followed.

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The group also made uncredited appearances on two tracks from Buffalo Springfield Again by Stephen Stills and Neil Young, and several members went on to successful careers outside the band. Drummer Bobby Ramirez performed with White Trash and Three Dog Night. Singer–saxophonist Dale Gothia recorded under the name Dale Chantel and worked with the Dominoes and the Jerry “Count Jackson” Band. Saxophonist Jon Robert Smith later played with White Trash and appeared on Toto’s Grammy-winning album Toto IV.

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Along the Gulf Coast, the Boogie Kings remain an institution. With the revival of soul and R&B in the early 1990s, the band experienced a renewed surge in popularity. In 1991—thirty-five years after their founding—they reunited for a major anniversary performance in Eunice. Over the decades, the Boogie Kings have released twelve studio albums, three compilations, and a double-disc anthology, securing their legacy as one of the region’s most enduring and influential soul bands.