Vorris “Shorty” Leblanc was born in Lake Arthur, Louisiana. He became an accomplished musician at an early age by learning to play multiple instruments including the fiddle, accordion, drums, bass guitar. Acoustic guitar, steel guitar, bass fiddle, as well as the flute and trumpet. Not sure the origin of his nickname since he was 6’2”. During WWII while stationed in Europe he bought his 1st accordion, a Sterling, and brought it home. During the late 1940’s, he played with Iry Lejuene and others. In 1951, when the Lacassine Playboys split, Shorty replaced Iry. The band at the time was comprised of Ellis Vanicor (fiddle), Asa Lejuene(drums), Orsy Vanicor (steel guitar), and Ivy Vanicor ( guitar). The group disbanded in 1955, and Shorty played with Alfred Cormier, Jay Stutes, and Charlie Babineaux, Cliff Newman and Cleveland Crochet and in 1960 they recorded the song “Sugar Bee” at Goldband Studios in Lake Charles. The song broke into the Billboard top 100. Unheard of for a Cajun song from Cajun artist. Following the hit they renamed themselves “The Sugar Bees” which also included Rufus Thibodeaux at times when he wasn’t with Jimmy Newman. In 1963, Shorty left the Sugar Bees and formed 1st as the Gold Band then the Acadian Aces, featuring Cliff Newman (drums), Benny Martin (guitar), Jay Stutes (steel guitar). Several well known fiddlers accompanied the band at times including Abe Manuel, Arthur Leger, and Rufus Thibodeaux. Shorty recorded on Jimmy C Newman’s album entitled “Folksongs of the Country Bayou”. Shorty and his bands that he played in recorded many records through the years. In 1965, Shorty became sick and was admitted into a hospital in New Orleans. He had became friends with Fats Domino in the past, so when Fats heard he was in the hospital he visited Shorty and had lunch with him. Shorty passed away that same year. In an interview I had with former Cajun musician Tim Savoy of Lake Charles, he is quoted as saying Shorty was considered one of the best accordion players in the area. Shorty was inducted into the CFMA Lake Charles Chapter’s Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 1990. Composed by Neal P Granger
