Frank Guidry, Musician

In the early 1960's guitar-playing Frank Guidry had a small band in Florida called “The Outlaws”. The group disbanded in 1967 and Frank met Hughie Thomasson, a fellow guitarist, in Lutz, Florida. Hughie's band, “The Four Letter Words”, playing typical 1960's rock music, had Hughie on guitar, Phil Humburg on bass, Hobie O'Brien at the electric organ, Dave Dix on drums and Herb Pino sang lead vocals. Frank agreed to join Hughie's band as long as “The Four Letter Words” became “The Outlaws”. With a name like “The Four Letter Words” it was not a difficult choice. And thus was born one of the most popular local Florida bands during the last thirty years.

At its formation in 1967 the new Southern rock “Outlaws” featured Hughie Thomasson as lead guitarist, Frank Guidry as rhythm guitarist, Hobie O'Brian on the electric organ, Phil Humburg on bass, Dave Dix on the drums and Herb Pino as lead vocalist. In the early years “The Outlaws” practiced at Frank's home in Tampa, Florida. They'd set up in the kitchen and living room. In the late 1960's and the 1970's band members changed frequently as marriage and other callings pulled folks away. Besides the local gigs, occasionally “The Outlaws” opened for big-name entertainers as Credence Clearwater Revival, B. B. King and Janis Joplin.

In late 1968 amid squabbles and rumblings, Frank decided to leave “The Outlaws” to pursue other interests. Shortly afterwards Hughie Thomasson and Dave Dix also quit the band and the “The Outlaws” disbanded. In 1973 Hughie Thomasson reformed the “The Outlaws” with several new musicians and this popular Tampa-based, Southern rock band played until 1982 on both the local Tampa scene and nationally.

During Frank's tenure with “The Outlaws”, they recorded one album at Epic Studios in New York City during 1968. The single “Fate” was to be released before the album; however, personal differences with the producer resulted in neither the single nor the album ever being released.

In March 2002 Frank was working in New Orleans, LA with his life-long friend Hughie Thomasson to record a solo album. Since then, Frank has returned to Tampa working with a new band.