Al Fayard

Born on February 25, 1941, Mardi Gras Day, son of Irma and Al'd Fayard, Sr., Billy was raised on Monroe St in Gretna, Louisiana. He attended McDonough 26 and Gretna Jr. High Schools. Then around 1955-56, Billy and "Boo " Hargis, along with Tom Harvey, Bob Albrado, Jimmy Hargraves, and Yetta Burges formed, "The Belmonts." They played at "Willie's" on Whitney Avenue. When Tom, Yetta and Bob joined the service, they were replaced by Woody Valiant, Vic Foquet, Ronnie Barrosse, and Carroll Freeman, who was later replaced by Eddie Hynes and "The Fidelities" were formed. Besides playing at the V.F.W. in Westwego and "Noses" Lounge in Gretna, these guys won many battle of the bands. In 1958, Carroll, Woody, and Billy joined Bobby Lonero's band with J.V. Papania and played for about a year at "Bob White's" in Biloxi, backing up big names as Ike Clanton and Brenda Lee. Later Billy played spot jobs with guys like C.J. Cheramie, Carroll Boudreaux, and Johnny Bonvillain. Billy served 4 1/2 years in the army and after his discharge, he played with "The Stokes," who first recorded "Whipped Cream" written by Allen Toussaint, which later became a big hit for Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass. He also spent some time in Killeen, Texas in Ike & Tina Turner's band. Billy also recorded "Yuka Chuka Tee Ta Ta" on the Tower Record label under the name of K. C Russell. In early 1971, Billy played at the Cellar Club in Gretna with Mel Douglas, Carmen Vaccaro, and C.J. Cheramie. Then in July of 1971, Billy opened The Round Table with the "New Orleans Levee Board" whose original members were C.J. Cheramie, Sidney Snow, Barabara Galle, and Billy. Later Sidney was replaced by Danny Hebert. Also during 1973, 74 & 75 Billy and Tracey Charles were owners and general managers of the Gretna Bengals, a semi-pro football team. In 1976, Billy opened the Fat Cat Club on Gretna Boulevard. The Celebrity Club was opened in 1988, with Billy, Danny Hebert, Walter Barrilleaux, Steve Marco, and Judy & Sheena Anderson. Then in 1991, Billy crossed the river to Bourbon Street and opened Jelly Rom's with his big band. While Al Hirt was performing upstairs, Allen Robinson, Doc Paulin, Ronnie Boudreaux, A.J. Pittman, Snakebite, Ray Shall, Steve Adams, Lenny McDaniel, Danny Hebert, and Billy, rocked downstairs.