Ellis Vanicor was born in Church Point, Louisiana, August 14th, 1929 to parents farmers Jules and Hermina Thibodeaux Vanicor from the community of Branch, in Jeff Davis Parish, along with 5 brothers, Clarence, Milton, Nute, Preston, Ivy, and 2 sisters, Rena Lejuene, and Cecile Leger. Ellis's mother Hermina had the musical talent, playing the accordion at home. His older brother Milton played the fiddle before him. Around the age of 14, he took interest in playing the fiddle when his family moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana. After receiving his 1st fiddle at 14, he began to self teach himself, by observing Milton and other fiddlers from the Lacassine area. He started out around 1946 as one of the leaders of the group “The Lacassine Playboys”. The initial group consisted of legendary accordion player Iry Lejuene, Jimmy Aguillard, Orsy Vanicor, Milton Vanicor, Ivy Vanicor, Asa Lejuene, and himself. Around 1949,they 1st recorded “Lacassine Special “, “Ti-Monde”, “ Calcasieu Waltz”, and “Teche Special “ before Iry would later move on at KPLC recording studio in Lake Charles. Several other musicians would later join the group such as Deama Granger, Shorty Leblanc, Clese Crader and Martin Vincent. The group would sometimes travel to the dances in Milton's 1929 Model A Ford or Ellis's old station wagon. They played dancehalls, house dances and clubs. Ellis went on to play with Bobby Leger and The Lake Charles Playboys and recorded songs including “Partying Waltz”, and “Don’t Bury Me”. He later played with Linus Touchet and recorded “Le Valse De Criminal “. He also had a short stint with Bobby with The Rainbow Ramblers which featured Linus Touchet (steel), 'TU-TEE Touchet (guitar), and Theresa Touchet (drums). As years went on, the Lacassine Playboys band came to be known as The Has Been Band, with Martin Vincent of Lake Charles on the accordion. In the late 90’s, he played with Martin Vincent, Keith Sonnier, and Richard Lafleur. In the late 1990's, Ellis and Orsy once again formed “The Lacassine Playboys” and played at different restaurants, clubs, and festivals. In 2005, band members consisted of Jimmy Aguillard, Orsey Vanicor, Robert LaPoint , and a young talented accordion player named Kaleb Trahan. This band has received many awards through the CFMA (Cajun French Music Association) and Ellis won “Fiddler of the Year”. All the band members are inducted into the CFMA Lake Charles Chapter’s Cajun Music Hall of Fame. Ellis had briefly retired from performing around 2019/20 but un-retired in early 2022 and is still going strong with his band today. Ellis was inducted into the CFMA Lake Charles Chapter’s Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 1997 and also in the CFMA National Cajun Music Hall of Fame in Eunice. It has been a pleasure watching this man perform the last several years and hopes he continues. A great testament of his love for Cajun music and his Cajun culture. The man is a living Icon in Southwest Louisiana. Composed by Neal P Granger
