The Story Behind Lake Charles' Louisiana Bandstand Radio Show

Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Every once in a while, something finds its way back into your life that makes you stop everything you're doing. That happened when an old flyer from 1990 landed in my hands.

The flyer advertised a live Saturday morning radio show at the old Downtowner Hotel on Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles. At the time, my dad, Dave Soileau, was behind the microphone, broadcasting live while people gathered at the hotel bar to enjoy Cajun music, visit, and dance.

Interesting facts about the old Downtowner Hotel in Lake Charles

The Downtowner was located at 507 N. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles, overlooking the lake.
It was known as Downtowner Motor Inn/Downtowner Motor Hotel
In 1993, The Downtowner became connected to Lake Charles' emerging casino industry when Players Island Riverboat Casino opened.

Not long after I graduated from high school, I joined him. Those Saturday mornings became a special chapter in my life. We would bring in live Cajun bands, fill the room with music, and send the sounds of Southwest Louisiana out over the airwaves.

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Eventually, the program became known as Louisiana Bandstand.

Looking closely at that old flyer makes the memories even more vivid. It features the musical lineup for August and September of 1990, just three months after I graduated high school and began my radio journey alongside my dad.

Then there's the sponsor page. Seeing all those familiar businesses from that era is like opening a time capsule from Lake Charles. It makes you wonder how many people remember those names and the places they represented.

At the time, we couldn't have known where that journey would eventually lead. Years later, my dad was inducted into the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame as a DJ. Then, in 2018, I had the incredible honor of joining him there.

A simple old flyer brought all of that rushing back. Thank you to Darlene Dronet Credeur for sending it. Some memories don't fade; they wait for something to bring them home.