Albums

Cookie & the Cupcakes

“Kings of Swamp Pop & Gulf Coast Soul”

Quick Intro

Cookie & the Cupcakes—formed in Lake Charles, Louisiana—are affectionately celebrated as the quintessential swamp-pop dance band, known for blending Gulf Coast R&B, Creole grooves, and Southern soul into a sound that ignited Louisiana dancehalls from the 1950s onward.

In-Depth Profile

The group began as The Boogie Ramblers, fronted by Shelton Dunaway. In 1952, Huey “Cookie” Thierry joined as vocalist and saxophonist, helping reshape the lineup into Cookie & the Cupcakes by the late 1950s. Their landmark 1958 recording of Mathilda became swamp pop’s unofficial anthem, cracking the Billboard Top 50 in 1959 and paving the way for Louisiana R&B on the national stage.

Their lineup included standout musicians like Sidney “Hot Rod” Reynaud (tenor sax), Marshall Laday (guitar), Ernest Jacobs (piano), Joe “Blue” Landry (bass), and Ivory Jackson (drums). The band’s sound—equal parts groove, grit, and heartbreak—epitomized Gulf Coast soul.

Following Cookie’s relocation to California in 1965, Lil’ Alfred Babino stepped in as lead vocalist, maintaining the group’s energy through the ‘70s and into reunion shows in the ‘90s. Their records have cemented their legacy among swamp-pop pioneers.

From smoky juke joints to outdoor festivals, Cookie & the Cupcakes delivered electric performances and set the gold standard for Louisiana slow drags and dancefloor wailers. Their influence endures through generations of artists who’ve covered “Mathilda” and echoed their soul-soaked sound. The band remains revered not just for its musical output, but for elevating swamp pop to cultural prominence.

Signature Tracks

  • “Mathilda” — definitive swamp pop anthem that brought Louisiana sound to national charts

  • “Got You on My Mind” — slow-burning heartache tune covered by artists worldwide

  • “Belinda” — regional hit with a shuffling groove and soul-styled vocal swagger

Notable Accomplishments & Awards

  • Music Hall of Fame Inductee — Museum of the Gulf Coast (1995)

  • Recognized by the Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum for foundational contributions

  • Featured in multiple compilations by Flat Town Music’s Jin Records, showcasing essential swamp pop catalog

Bonus Notes

  • “Mathilda” was covered by Del Shannon, Freddy Fender, and Robert Plant—each paying tribute to its swamp-pop greatness

  • Lil’ Alfred Babino was later honored in regional retrospectives for preserving the band’s sound after Cookie Thierry’s departure